MEDIA RELEASE: Secretary Pate provides safety supplies for voters, poll workers for June 2 primary

DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate partnered with Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management and the Iowa National Guard to deliver masks, gloves and hand sanitizer for use at polling places on June 2. The National Guard delivered the materials last week.

The Secretary of State’s Office is also shipping social distancing markers and face shields to all 99 counties for use at the polls. More than $500,000 in additional funding is being provided to the counties to cover the costs of other safety materials. The funds were made possible by federal grants.

“Protecting voters and poll workers while making sure every eligible Iowan is able to safely cast a ballot is our goal,” Secretary Pate said. “Polls will be open on June 2 and we want Iowans who choose to vote in-person to know we’re taking precautions to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19.”

Although polls will be open on June 2, many counties are consolidating polling locations. Voters are encouraged to check with their county auditor or visit the Secretary of State’s website for more information. Iowans can also vote absentee from home or at a location designated by their county auditor. The deadline to request an absentee ballot to be mailed is this Friday, May 22. For more information about your voting options, visit VoterReady.Iowa.gov.

Video of the National Guard delivering polling place supplies is available at this link.

Photos of the Iowa National Guard delivering polling place supplies to counties are available at this link.

Video of social distancing markers being produced at Iowa City company True Art Color Graphics is available at this link.

Video of face shields being produced at Mount Vernon, Iowa company U.S. Nameplate Company is available at this link.

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