Best ways to return your absentee ballot

The requests for absentee ballots are now being received by county auditors and it is a convenient and time saving way to cast your vote — I do it that way myself. But beware — if you request an absentee ballot to be sent to you, do not rely on the postal service for the return of your ballot!

Eastern Iowa this year has been plagued by countless reports of missing or delayed mail, overdue bill payments resulting in late charges and packages that simply fail to arrive. A letter I sent from Cedar Rapids to Des Moines took three and a half weeks to arrive!

So please, find the local drop box for your ballot at your County Auditor’s office or take advantage of early voting at sites such as the auditor’s office or Lindale Mall. The state narrowed the window for how soon the ballots must arrive at the auditor's office and that makes it even more risky if the post office is in control. A lost birthday card is a disgrace, but if your vote doesn't count it can be a tragedy!

Kathy Hendricksmeyer

Cedar Rapids