News Release
Hospitalized patients and absentee voting
October 28, 2008
The State of Iowa has special provisions for voters who live in health care facilities or who are hospitalized and unable to get to the polls on Election Day. The Secretary of State’s Web site encourages qualified voters to request an absentee ballot from the auditor’s office in the county in which they are registered.
Except for patients who are hospitalized within 24 hours of Election Day (Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2008), absentee ballots must be requested from the county auditor’s office by 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 31. In order to be counted, absentee ballots must be returned by mail and postmarked no later than Monday, Nov. 3. Patients who need assistance requesting, completing or returning an absentee ballot may contact their nurse or call Mercy’s Social Services Department (247-3263).
Patients who are hospitalized within 24 hours of Election Day may call their county auditor’s office before 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 4, and request an absentee ballot be delivered to them in the hospital.
Contact Gregg Lagan
Mercy Medical Center – Des Moines
515-247-3050
cell 515-490-6636
