DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate has provided county auditors and precinct election officials with an unprecedented level of training and information ahead of the June 5 primary. Newly-printed guidebooks, an online training program, seminars, and videos are all part of the comprehensive plan offered by Secretary Pate to election officials across the state.

"I want every Iowan to be Voter Ready for the June 5 primary elections," Secretary Pate said. "It is vital that every poll worker understands the law changes and new Voter ID requirements that are in effect. This year is a soft-rollout, so it's a bit of a learning curve for everyone involved. The key factor is that no eligible voter is turned away from the polls."

Printed guidebooks for all 1,682 Iowa precincts were prepared by the Secretary of State's Office and sent to all 99 county auditors in early May. Additionally, a new online training system was launched on May 10.

Seven videos that demonstrate common Election Day scenarios were produced by Secretary Pate's office. They are designed to assist in the training of poll workers. Secretary Pate has asked county auditors to provide the materials to all precinct election officials.

"It's important that every voter understands poll workers are required to ask for identification," Secretary Pate said. "Any pre-registered voter who does not have the required form of ID will be able to sign an oath, swearing to their identity. However, the poll worker must ask the voter for ID."

Secretary Pate also reminds absentee voters to mail in their voted ballots as quickly as possible. Absentee ballots must be received by the county auditor's office by the time the polls close on election night, or must be postmarked by June 4.

Voters can also vote early in their county auditor's office. Almost 42,000 absentee ballots had been requested as of Tuesday, 9,234 more than at the same point in 2014.

"Iowa is one of only seven states that offers Election Day voter registration, online voter registration, no-fault absentee voting, and early voting," Secretary Pate said. "Our absentee voting period remains one of the longest in the nation, and our polls are open longer on Election Day than every state except New York. It's easy to vote in Iowa, but hard to cheat."

Polling hours on Primary Election Day, June 5, are 7 a.m. – 9 p.m. Iowans can find their polling place by visiting VoterReadyIowa.org/resources.

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