Every registered voter in Iowa will be sent an absentee ballot request form ahead of the state’s June 2 primary, the Iowa Secretary of State’s office announced on Tuesday.
“My office will be mailing an absentee ballot request form to every registered voter in Iowa for the June 2 primary. Includes postage paid for returning request to county auditor. We’re encouraging Iowans to vote by mail starting 4/23 to help reduce spread of #COVID19,” Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate said in a tweet.
The ballot request forms will be sent in mid- to late April, Pate said in a statement on Tuesday.
The primary for state and federal elections is scheduled to take place as planned, but Pate is encouraging voters to vote by the mail-in absentee ballots out of safety due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“The safety of voters while casting their ballots is our top priority,” Pate said in the statement. “The June 2 primary election will go on as scheduled because it’s important for Iowans to make their voices heard by voting. The safest way to vote will be by mail.”
–This report was updated on April 1 at 2:02 p.m.