Voting early? Linn County has an app for that

CEDAR RAPIDS — If you’re hoping to vote early and quickly this election in Linn County, there’s an app for that.

Early voters in the county have been using a simple but effective app that’s speeded up lines for tens of thousands at a satellite center at Lindale Mall and at the Linn County Auditor’s Office.

Today is the last day to cast an early vote for Tuesday’s election. In Linn County, early votes today can be cast only at the auditor’s office, 935 Second St. SW in Cedar Rapids, because satellite voting has ended.

How it works

Before, early in-person voters would be asked to fill out an absentee ballot request form by hand. Now, with a few taps in about 30 seconds, it’s done for them — cutting the time it takes to fill out a form by at least half.

Through rows of iPads lining tables at polling stations, early voters used touch screens to make a few taps confirming their eligibility. The application asked them to confirm they want to vote early in Tuesday’s general election, that they are residents of Linn County and that the information on their driver’s license or Iowa non-operator ID is accurate.

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Then, they simply place their ID — bar code facing up — on a table for the iPad’s camera to scan. The program checks for state residency, address, date of birth and expiration date — all contained in the bar code on the back of Iowa identification. Voters whose IDs have outdated addresses still must fill out a form by hand.

Absentee ballot request forms then are printed, signed by voters and taken to poll workers who review the information, check voters in and issue them a ballot. The legibly printed form reduces errors and helps Linn County’s hundreds of poll workers read them quickly.

“It’s really a time saver, not only for voters coming in, but for the people receiving the form,” said Linn County Auditor Joel Miller. “It’s really helpful, everyone is in awe of it.”

One of the most significant benefits is on the back end of processing, according to Matt Warfield, Linn County’s deputy commissioner of elections. Warfield, who developed the app, noted that QR codes printed on each form allow the Linn County Auditor’s Office to easily and accurately reference a voter’s record or read the voter information on the form to ensure it’s properly updated, as required.

The nature of the app resolves common concerns about election security, too. The app is not connected to the internet and stores no data after a voter has completed the process.

“We’re taking an iPad and turning them into pencils,” Miller said.

How it happened

The development was sparked by the county’s efforts to make elections more efficient. Alongside the new simple technology, the county has been investing in other pieces of equipment in recent years like high-speed optical scanners and ballot openers to speed up the process of counting votes.

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And with old iPads on hand after the office upgraded its technology, the new app didn’t cost the county anything new to implement.

In some cases, the increased efficiency with new equipment and technology has reduced the need for poll workers, Miller said.

The custom app, developed on Warfield’s personal time, is being used free of charge in Linn County only. Warfield said he may explore marketing the app through his own business after this election.

Miller expects 30,000 Linn County voters to cast their ballots early before Election Day — roughly one-third of registered voters. On Election Day, the roughly 45,000 to 50,000 absentee voters who cast their ballots by mail will have their votes counted, too. Those must be returned to auditor’s offices by 8 p.m. Tuesday, when polls close.

Since 2016, Iowa legislators have cut early voting from 40 days to 20, fueling more concentrated lines. With lines up to about 50 people throughout each day over the last week in the Lindale Mall satellite, the largest Linn County satellite site that closed Sunday, the time saved throughout the process has been invaluable not only to poll workers, but ordinary citizens going about their days.

“The proof is in the final product,” Miller said.

Comments: Features reporter Elijah Decious can be reached at (319) 398-8340 or elijah.decious@thegazette.com.