Winneshiek County received 23 late absentee ballots in the June primary

On Tuesday, June 2nd, all ballots received by the close of polls on Primary Election Day were opened and counted by a bipartisan team.

However, 23 absentee ballots were late arriving.  Such ballots touched off a huge controversy two years ago, but this year the absentee ballot counting procedures went smoothly.

The new law requires ballots to have a postmark showing they were mailed by the Monday before the Election (June 1st) or need to be verified through the USPS Intelligent Mail Barcode (IMB) system as having been mailed by the Monday before the Election.

A bipartisan team met to examine the late ballots.  Four ballots were postmarked June 1st or earlier, and were opened and counted.  Five ballots were postmarked June 2nd or later and IMB confirmed those dates; and were not opened.  Four ballots were postmarked June 2nd or later and were not recorded in the IMB system; and were not opened.  Six ballots did not contain a postmark and IMB confirmed they were mailed June 2nd or later; and were not opened.  Four ballots did not contain a postmark and were not recorded in the IMB system; and were not opened.

All voters whose ballots were not opened and counted were notified by letter.

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