Government : The Ballot is in the Mail

On Monday, October 5, 2020, over 4,200 requested ballots were delivered to the post office for mailing the Auditor's office reported. Be sure to watch your mailbox for your ballot, and then remember to mail it back.
Track your ballot after you've mailed it back! Click this link to see when it has arrived back at the Auditor's office!

In-Person absentee voting has also begun in the Courthouse, 2nd floor, at the Auditor's office. The Auditor reports that they have already had a very busy day.
If you would like to see a copy of the ballot that will arrive in your mailbox, or what you will be filling in when you arrive to vote, you can see sample ballots here.
You might be surprised to see that you have the choice of 9 different presidential candidates, including Kanye West.
There are several judges on the ballot. To read a bit about them, click here to find information about the judges on the ballot. These folks should have as much consideration as the presidential candidates. Take some time to research them.
If you have already requested a ballot, do not come to the courthouse, wait for your ballot to arrive. You can then bring your ballot to the courthouse and vote if you'd like. Just be sure to tell the staff that you have received your ballot in the mail and wish to fill it out or deliver it there.
Voting Locations

• Belle Plaine I - Belle Plaine Community Center, RSVP Room
• Belle Plaine II - Belle Plaine Community Center, Dining Room
• Belle Plaine III - Belle Plaine Fire Station
• Benton-Canton-Shellsburg - Shellsburg Legion Hall
• Big Grove-Union-Van Horne - Van Horne Community Center
• Bruce-Cedar-Mt. Auburn - Cedar-Mt. Auburn Hall
• Eden-Harrison-Taylor - Benton County Courthouse, Center Hall
• *Eldorado-Newhall - * Newhall City Hall
• Florence-St. Clair-Norway - St. Michael's Parish Center
• Fremont-Atkins - Atkins City Hall/Library
• Homer-Monroe-Jackson-Garrison - Garrison Fire Station
• Iowa-Leroy-Luzerne-Blairstown - Blairstown City Hall/Community Center
• Kane-Keystone - Keystone City Hall
• Polk-Urbana - Urbana City Hall/Community Center
• Vinton I - Vinton Skate & Activity Center
• Vinton II - Vinton Skate & Activity Center
• Vinton III - Vinton Skate & Activity Center
• Vinton IV - Vinton Skate & Activity Center
• Walford - Walford City Hall/Community Center

*denotes a change in the polling place

VOTER ID REQUIREMENTS

Pre-registered voters are required to provide an approved form of identification at the polling place before receiving and casting a regular ballot. Voters who are not pre-registered, such as voters registering to vote on Election Day, and voters changing precincts must also provide proof of residence.

A voter who is unable to provide an approved form of identification (or prove residence if required) may:

1) have the voter's identity/residence attested to by another registered voter in the precinct

2) prove identity and residence using Election Day Registration documents, or

3) cast a provisional ballot and provide proof of identity/residence at the county auditor's office by June 4, 2020 12:00 p.m. (noon).

Election Day Registrant attesters must provide an approved form of identification. For additional information about providing proof of identity and/or residence visit: https://sos.iowa.gov/voterid or phone 319-472-2365.

Any voter who is physically unable to enter a polling place has the right to vote in the voter's vehicle. For further information, please contact the county auditor's office at the telephone or E-mail address listed below.

Telephone: 319-472-2365

Email address: bcauditor@bentoncountyia.gov

For TTY access, dial 711+319-472-2365

THE FOLLOWING OFFICES APPEAR ON THEIR RESPECTIVE BALLOTS.

THERE WILL BE TWO (2) TOWNSHIP TRUSTEES, ELECTED FROM EACH TOWNSHIP IN BENTON COUNTY AND

ONE (1) UNION TOWNSHIP CLERK TO FILL VACANCY

ONE (1) FREMONT TOWNSHIP CLERK TO FILL VACANCY

ONE (1) HOMER TOWNSHIP CLERK TO FILL VACANCY

ONE (1) KANE TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE TO FILL VACANCY

ONE (1) POLK TOWNSHIP CLERK TO FILL VACANCY AS FOLLOWS:

Township and Office Candidate Name

• Benton Township Trustee STEVE CRONK, VERNON MCCLINTOCK
• Benton Township Trustee to Fill Vacancy VACANT
• Big Grove Township Trustee JOHN RITSCHER, CRAIG SELK
• Bruce Township Trustee - STEVEN VAUGHN, KENNETH LASSEN
• Bruce Township Trustee to Fill Vacancy - ROBERT ZEIEN
• Canton Township Trustee - KIRK TUMILTY, SCOTT ALLEN DEKLOTZ
• Canton Township Clerk to Fill Vacancy - MICHAEL A. JAMBOIS
• Eden Township Trustee - BEN OLSON, EVERETT HEITSHUSEN
• Eldorado Township Trustee - SCOTT THOMPSON, TREVOR SEEMAN
• Florence Township Trustee - JAMES HEMESATH, ROY L. SCHULZE
• Harrison Township Trustee - WALTER BAUER, BRYON GEATER
• Iowa Township Trustee DEAN JENSEN, GENE UPAH
• Jackson Township Trustee - JAMES A. FLEMING, JOHN BUHR
• Leroy Township Trustee - HELEN GRUNEWALD
• Polk Township Trustee - BILL KESTER, SCOTT HEPKER
• St. Clair Township Trustee - BRYCE BRECHT, EDWIN L. WENDEL
• Taylor Township Trustee - CHARLES YEDLIK, KIRK APPLEBY

Voted ballots can be returned by mail, or hand-delivered to the Auditor's office inside the courthouse at 111 E 4th Street, Vinton, IA. If you have any questions, you can contact the Auditor's office at this number 319-472-2365.Photo by Benton County Auditor's Office