County Auditor says un-postmarked ballots will NOT be counted

Winneshiek County Auditor Ben Steines says the 29 ballots which were received by his office following the election and did not have a postmark will NOT be included in the vote totals.

Steines has released a statement which says: "Iowa Code 59.17(2) allows two methods for determining whether a late ballot was mailed before the election.  One method is the 'Intelligent Mail Barcode System.'  This is a special mail service that requires unique barcodes to be printed on the ballot return envelopes before they are sent to the voter.  Winneshiek County does not have this system.  The other method is for the ballot envelope to be 'clearly postmarked' on the day before the election or earlier.  With confirmation from the Secretary of State's office, no other verification method is allowed.  This is not a choice of the Board of Supervisors, this is not the choice of the Auditor, this is state law.  Therefore, any ballots received after Election Day, that are not postmarked, will not be included in the official results."

Questions can be directed to the County Auditor at auditor@co.winneshiek.ia.us or (563) 382-5085.