Election 2012: Early Voting Begins Today in Iowa

The general election is still more than a month away but in Iowa, voting starts today.

That’s right if you’re anxious to get your vote in before the Nov. 6 election and you live in Dallas County, you can cast your vote as early as 8 a.m. today at the Dallas County elections office, 910 Court St., in Adel.

Dallas County auditor Gene Krumm says while residents can cast their votes today, he isn't expecting a rush to the polls.

"I don't anticipate a real large turnout," he said. "I think most people realize that they have a month until the election so there's no reason to rush out and vote."

Krumm said the office has been inundated with absentee ballot requests. With 49,000 registered voters in Dallas County, Krumm said more than 4,000 absentee ballots were sent out Wednesday in advance of the polls opening.

"We’ve been busy with getting set up for the general election and that includes the absentee ballot process," he said. "It's one of the most expensive parts of the election. It costs $1.25 for each absentee ballot that goes out and comes back. We just sent out 4,000 ballots in Dallas County. We expect 15,000 back this year."

If you prefer to vote in person and you you don't want to make the drive to Adel, there will be several satellite locations throughout Dallas County. Voting begins on Oct. 15 and runs through Nov. 5.

The locations are as follows:

St. Boniface Catholic Church, 1200 Warrior Ln., Waukee
Oct. 15 - 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Oct. 18 - 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Dahls, 15500 Hickman Rd., Clive
Oct. 17 - 12 - 6 p.m.
Oct. 24 - 12 - 6 p.m.

Edgewater Wesley Life Community, 9225 Cascade Ave., West Des Moines
Oct. 15 - 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Oct. 22 - 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Van Meter United Methodist Church, 100 Hazel St., Van Meter
Oct. 18 - 12 - 6 p.m.

St. Francis of Assisi Church, 7075 Ashworth Rd., West Des Moines
Oct. 19 - 12 - 6 p.m.
Oct. 26 - 12 - 6 p.m.

McCreary Community Bldg., 1800 Pattee St., Perry
Oct. 20 - 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Oct. 27 - 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Point of Grace Church, 305 NE Dartmoor Dr., Waukee (by petition)
Oct. 23 - 2 - 8 p.m.

Crossroad Evangelical Free Church, 18293 365th St., Earlham (by petition)
Oct. 23 - 2 - 8 p.m.