DAVENPORT, IOWA (October 29, 2020) According to the Scott County Health Department returning an absentee ballot is the safest way to vote and avoid possible exposure to COVID-19. Roxanna Moritz, Scott County Auditor and Commissioner of Elections, urges voters who have received absentee ballots in the mail to return those ballots to one of the early voting sites or the County Drop Box. “Voters do not need to personally return their ballots,” Moritz said. “They can have someone they trust bring the ballots to my office, the County Drop Box or one of our satellite locations. We have received the majority of mail ballots already, but there are still a few thousand left to return. My office urges those with absentee ballots to return them as soon as possible. It is the safest way to vote during this pandemic,” Moritz said.

Deadline to Mail Ballots. Voters can return ballots by mail but the ballots must be mailed by Monday, November 2, the day before Election Day. “Ballots returned by mail must, one, be received in my office by Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, or two, have a postmark of November 2 or earlier and received by Monday, November 9,” Moritz said. “Iowa law requires that absentee ballots returned under either option must be counted before the official canvass of votes and certification of the election by the Scott County Board of Supervisors,” Moritz said.

Early voting times have been expanded. “My office has expanded the hours of early voting and now for the first time we are offering voting on the Sunday before the election. We hope that voters will not wait until the last minute to vote. If voters have decided on who they intend to vote for then we encourage them to vote as soon as possible and to pick a time which will minimize their personal risks,” Moritz said.

Voting Options and Risk Levels. According to the Health Department in-person voting on Election Day runs the greatest risk for contracting COVID-19. There are different types of voting options available and each carry a different type of risk:

  • Voting by absentee ballot is the lowest risk as it nearly eliminates the number of people into which you come in contact;
  • Early voting at a location identified by the County Auditor limits the number of people you come in contact with since you are allowed to choose when you vote, including choosing non-peak times; and
  • Day of Voting at your designated polling place has additional risks because your ability to social-distance is limited and you cannot control the size of crowds.

Voting in Person Preventing the Spread of COVID-19. Should you choose either in-person voting option, take steps to protect yourself and others. This is also true for any members of our community that will be volunteering their time as poll workers at polling locations. Recognize that you will very likely be in close contact with individuals at your polling place (closer than 6 feet for longer than 15 minutes). We ask that you do your part and consider COVID-19 safety while you’re doing your part as an American citizen:

  • Make sure that you wear a mask — when you are in line, when talking to others/poll workers, and when voting);
  • As much as possible, keep 6 feet of distance between yourself and others;
  • Bring hand sanitizer and use it; and
  • Please stay home if you think there's any chance you're sick. Because of the close distance you may have to others, if you are possibly sick with COVID-19, there is a good chance you would be exposing others to the virus in this type of a situation.

Scott County Auditor’s Office

600 W 4th St, Davenport  All Ballots Available

  • Friday, October 30, 8AM-4:30PM
  • Saturday, October 31, 7AM-7PM (expanded hours)
  • Sunday, November 1, 8AM-4PM (extra day of voting)
  • Monday, November 2, 8AM-5PM

Bettendorf Community Center

2204 Grant St, Bettendorf  All Ballots Available

  • Friday, October 30, and Saturday, October 31, 10AM-6PM
  • Sunday, November 1, 10AM-4PM (extra day of voting)

Davenport Eastern Avenue Branch Library

6000 Eastern Ave, Davenport  All Ballots Available

  • Friday, October 30, and Saturday, October 31, 10AM-4PM
  • Sunday, November 1, 10AM-4PM (extra day of voting)

Davenport Fairmount Street Branch Library

3000 N Fairmount St, Davenport  All Ballots Available

  • Friday, October 30, and Saturday, October 31, 10AM-4PM
  • Sunday, November 1, 10AM-4PM (extra day of voting)

Scott County Library, Eldridge

200 N 6th Av, Eldridge  All Ballots Available

  • Friday, October 30, and Saturday, October 31, 10AM-4PM

NO SUNDAYS

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