Nearly half a million Iowans cast early ballots for 2024 election

IOWA – More than 450,000 Iowans have cast their early ballots for the 2024 election by voting early in person or returning an absentee ballot. Iowa Secretary of State announced this Tuesday morning.

Voters at Lindale Mall told Iowa News Now off-camera that they were shocked to see the long line.

Linn County Auditor Joel Miller said more people are showing up as Nov. 5 approaches.

He said more than 20,000 Linn County voters have already submitted their ballots, with the majority being 55 years of age or older.

“Early voting was only 20 days away and the election was a week away, so more people showed up then,” Miller said. “It’s a close race, so no one knows who will win. I think people think their votes count because it could be a close race.”

Auditor Grant Veeder says more than 17,000 ballots were collected in Black Hawk County.

He said if anyone else has an absentee ballot, it’s best to turn it in in person rather than mail it back because the deadline is less than a week away.

“A lot of people are more comfortable voting early and being able to choose the day rather than waiting until Election Day,” Wieder said.

Miller said more people voting early could have made the process smoother on Election Day.

“There will be less demand at the polls,” Miller said. “People who are pressed for time and may not have had time to vote early will vote, but the deadline is 8 p.m., so they will be pressed for time.”