DES MOINES – Secretary of State Paul Pate's annual Iowa State Fair Straw Poll will include the races for governor and all four U.S. House seats. The poll will be conducted on iPads at the Secretary's booth inside the Varied Industries Building throughout the Iowa State Fair, August 9-19. Rotating questions about favorite famous Iowan, State Fair food and State Fair Grandstand acts will also be included.

“Voting isn't just a civic duty. It can be fun, and the State Fair Straw Poll is great way to get people thinking about the November elections. It will also enable us to gauge the state of the races at this point,” Secretary Pate said. “I want every eligible Iowan to register to vote and to be a voter.”

Real time results will be available on the tablets in the Secretary of State"s booth, as well as on his website, sos.iowa.gov. Secretary Pate invites all State Fair attendees to visit his booth and cast a vote in the Straw Poll. He is extending invitations to all three political parties and all announced candidates to participate as well.

Secretary Pate and his staff will be on hand throughout the Iowa State Fair to help Iowans register to vote or update their voter registration information. Online and paper voter registration methods will be available.

Secretary Pate's State Fair Straw Poll is unscientific and intended for entertainment purposes only.

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