The process of absentee voting is easy. First the voter fills out a request form obtained from the Auditor’s office, second floor, Jones County Courthouse, the county website, www.co.jones.ia.us, the legal section of a county newspaper or sent by a candidate or party.

The form is then sent to the Auditor’s office and a ballot sent to the voter.

“The ballot must be postmarked no later than November 6 and received by noon on November 13,” said Sulzner, who included that the last day to request an absentee ballot is November 3.

As of October 13 the office had issued 555 absentee ballots for the November 7 general election.

“Since an election for Governor, turnout is lower,” added Sulzner.

Absentee ballots are more expensive for taxpayers because of the approximated $3 in additional materials and labor involved in processing the ballots. Each packet sent out includes the ballot, envelopes, instructions and any additional information about measures included on the ballot.

The county is required to pay all postage surrounding the ballots. The money is levied by the Jones County Board of Supervisors each year, and Sulzner said the board must appropriate whatever amount is needed for the absentee ballots.

Once the ballot is returned to the office, it is locked away until a Special Precinct Board comes in to process them. The board is made up equally of Democrats and Republicans. The affidavit envelopes are removed and the ballots mixed up to keep them confidential.

“The Special Precinct Board goes to great lengths to keep votes secure and confidential,” said Sulzner.

The ballot can be rejected if instructions aren’t followed closely. The affidavit envelope must be completely filled in with the address and signature of the voter, the ballot envelope must be sealed, but not taped, it must be on time and the voter must be registered by October 28.

“Most come back, and few are rejected,” Sulzner indicated, and reminded that absentee votes cannot be cast on Election Day.

Special consideration is given to residents of care centers when voting absentee. A bi-partisan team goes to the care center, delivers the ballot, offers help if the voter needs it and returns it to the Auditor’s office.

All other hand delivered ballots must be brought into the office by the voter or a registered courier.
If a ballot is brought in by an unauthorized party, attempts to reach the voter will be made. If there is no response the ballot is counted.

The Auditor’s office will be open additional hours until the election. (See hours information) There is also a voter table located outside the Auditor’s office, which includes forms, voter information and sample ballots.

“If voters are going to do this, it’s going to cost more money, but we want voter participation,” Sulzner concluded.

Extended Auditor’s Office Hours
October 27–7:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
October 28–8 a.m.-5 p.m.
November 2–7:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
November 3–7:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
November 4–8 a.m.-5 p.m.
November 6–7 a.m.-5 p.m.

Reasons for Rejection of an Absentee Ballot
• Affidavit envelope information incomplete
• Envelope not sealed
• Envelope taped
• Voter not registered by October 28
• Voter is known to be deceased
• Returned too late
• Postmarked after November 6

In June, 2005 Ryan Husmann of Anamosa embarked on a project for his Eagle Scout award. The project set about locating and acquiring six headstones for Civil War Veterans buried in Riverside Cemetery in Anamosa, and now a dedication ceremony will take place at the cemetery on October 28 at 1:45 p.m.

“The Ghost Walk is the same day, and I thought it would be easier to get the Sons of the Union Veterans there,” said Husmann, referring to a Civil war reenactment slated for the evening of October 28.

Husmann said he received a great deal of information and guidance from the group, who locates Civil War soldiers in cemeteries across Eastern Iowa. “I’ve been doing this with the Sons of the Union veterans, and they gave me the form to order the headstones from the Department of Veterans Affairs,” Husmann commented.

He said the process was lengthy, taking about six months after the paperwork was filed. Husmann had to provide proof that the men were in the Civil War and give whatever background information he had on the soldiers, who include: Andrew Bennett, Jerimiah K. Bishop, Issaac Henry Brasted, Oliver Brundage, Amster Cook and Garret Slingerland.

Of the men listed above, two had legs amputated, one had an arm amputated and the other three were uninjured. All but one of the men have family members buried at Riverside Cemetery.

“I wanted to make the Riverside Cemetery more complete, to get them headstones and help ancestors figure out where they’re located,” he said.

His research has put him in contact with family members around the country, some of whom will attend the cememony.

“I’ve talked to family members and they are really happy and grateful that I did this project,” Husmann explained.

In addition to the application for headstones, the Sons of the Union Veterans also helped with the genealogy and have been mentoring Husmann on the ceremony.

“Jim Christianson helped me on some of the genealogy and placing the headstones, Mr. Johnson (James) from the Sons of the Union Veterans helped me a lot. I had a lot of help from all kinds of people,” Husmann said.

To receive his Eagle Scout Award, Husmann must submit before and after photos of the project along with the information he gathered. It will then be reveiwed by the troop and the Boy Scout review Board in Cedar Rapids. A ceremony with Husmann’s family will be scheduled in December or January, at which time he will receive his Eagle Scout Award.

At the dedication ceremony members of the VFW, AmVets and American Legion will be on hand.
Becky Dirks-Haugsted will provide information about the men from a pre-Civil War history book.

“We’re going to have a rifle salute and sound Taps,” said AmVets Post Commander Jim Caswell.
“We’re trying to get as many people to come out as possible.”

Husmann said all are welcome to attend the dedication.

“I really liked doing this project. it was fun, a great experience, and I learned a lot,” Husmann reflected.