Early voting in Iowa surpasses 2004 record by 16 percent

Here's the latest data from the Iowa Secretary of State's office about early voting (UPDATE:  for some unexplained reason, the SOS office at mid-day issued revised numbers):

Absentees Received: 534,011 533,967 (16% higher than 2004)

    Democrats-             246,276

    Republicans -          153,836

    No Party  -              133,536

    Other Parties-                363 319

More details from the SOS news release:  The Secretary of State’s office reports that before the polls opened today, a total of 2,145,745 Iowans are registered to vote. Of those registered voters, 736,918 are registered as Democrats and 625,105 are registered as Republicans. There are 782,738 registered as “No Party” and 984 as “Other”.

Secretary Mauro anticipates statewide voter turnout will be between 75 and 80-percent. More voters will vote in this year’s election than any other election in the past.

“This historic election will no doubt bring record numbers to the polls today. People are excited and enthusiastic as ever to take part in this election,” said Secretary of State Mauro. “Iowans, and people across the entire country, understand they are participating in one of the most significant elections of their entire lifetime. Voting will take time, so I encourage Iowans to be patient with the process but also remain steadfast in exercising their right to vote in this momentous election.” 

Completed absentee ballots can be hand-delivered to county auditor offices from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. today.

Voters who are not already registered to vote in Iowa and want to vote today can register and vote at their particular polling location. Potential voters will need to provide photo identification and proof of their current residency. An Iowa driver’s license or non-driver ID card with a photo and expiration date is one form of identification. Other acceptable forms are listed on the Secretary of State’s website www.sos.state.ia.us.

Potential voters can also use the website to find out if they are registered to vote and find their polling place locations by clicking on the “Am I Registered to Vote in Iowa?” and “Find Your Precinct/Polling Place” links.

For more information on voting on Election Day, please visit www.sos.state.ia.us or call the Secretary of State’s election division at 1.888.SOS.VOTE.