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Make Your Voice Heard: Voter Registration Day

register to vote early

Estate planning, nonprofit formation, and charitable giving are extremely important, but guess what else is something worth writing about? Voting! Casting a ballot may seem like a small action, but collectively our votes can make a big impact.

Tomorrow, September 24, is National Voter Registration Day. The unofficial national “holiday” was first recognized in 2012. It’s a non-partisan event and all about rallying people to register as voters and encourage Americans to make their voices heard. It’s a great day to set aside politics and ideological differences in the name of democracy through fostering civic unity.

Indeed, every year lots of people find out they are unable to cast a vote in an election because they missed the registration deadline, failed to update their registration, or weren’t sure how to register in the first place.

Voting laws and regulations vary from state to state, so I recommend checking in on this website (Vote 411) for your particular state regarding the details for where you live.

a non-partisan event and all about rallying people to register as voters and to make their voices heard. It's a great day to set aside politics and ideological differences in the name of democracy through fostering civic unity. 

General Voting Registration Information for Iowa

Here is some specific information regarding voter registration in Iowa:

  • You may register in person at the polls on Election Day, but you have to make certain to bring the correct voter ID. (But, if you register in advance it will expedite your Voting Day experience.)
  • You can opt to mail in the form, but if you go with this option, the form must be received by election officials at least 10 days before primary and general elections, and 11 days before all other elections. If you mail your registration application, it must be postmarked 15 days before the election or received by either 10 or 11 days before the election, depending on the type of election.
  • Good news: registration is permanent. After you register, you do not have to register again unless you move!

ID Needed for Voter Registration (in Advance of Election Day) in Iowa

To register to vote in Iowa, you must provide an Iowa driver’s license number or a social security number.  That said, there is a box to check on the voter registration form if you have neither of those numbers.

ID Needed for Voter Registration (on Election Day) in Iowa

If you choose to register for the first time on Election Day at the polls, or after a recent move to Iowa, you must prove both who you are and where you live. You can use any of these forms of ID as long as they are current, valid, and contain an expiration date:

  • Iowa drivers license
  • Iowa non-driver ID card
  • Out-of-state driver’s license or non-driver ID card
  • US passport
  • US military ID
  • ID card issued by employer
  • Student ID issued by Iowa high school or college
  • Tribal ID

If your photo ID does not contain your current address, you can use another document to prove where you live. The following options are deemed acceptable proof of residence as long as they contain your name, current address, and are current within 45 days:

  • Residential lease
  • Utility bill (including a cell phone bill)
  • Bank statement
  • Paycheck
  • Government check or other government documents

If you don’t have any of the documents at the polling place and are asked for ID, if you have another voter who knows you and is registered in the same precinct they can vouch for your ID and residence.

The final option when registering at a polling place and you don’t have the necessary ID or someone to vouch for you, you can cast a provisional ballot.

Think you may be Registered to Vote Already?

Not sure if you’re already registered to vote? This online tool from Vote 411 can be a useful starting point. If you live in Iowa, use the Iowa Secretary of State’s website to search the database.

When are Upcoming Elections in Iowa?

It’s not just the presidential election you should vote it! Voter registration enables you to vote in local and state elections that can have a much more direct effect on your specific community. It also enables you to participate in the always exciting Iowa Caucuses. Check out this page for upcoming elections in your state. (Select your state and election date and hit apply.)

Let me know if you have any questions and I’m happy to connect you with resources and information! My email is gordon@gordonfischerlawfirm.com and my phone number is 515-371-6077. 

 

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Your Voice Matters: Upcoming Voter Rights Restoration Clinic

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i voted stickers

For most of us, the right to vote has been a part of our adult lives. It seems weird to think about not having the ability to cast a ballot. But, imagine if you lost your right to vote and had to take even extra steps to get it back? This is the reality for more than 50,000 Iowans, according to a 2016 report from The Sentencing Project. Indeed, Iowa is one of two states (the other is Kentucky) in the country that imposes permanent disenfranchisement for people, even after they’ve served their sentence and completed all probation requirements. (You may have seen the recent news when Florida passed an amendment giving Floridians who were previously denied voting rights the ability to register to vote.) I believe it’s incredibly important for all people to exercise their right to vote and thus want to draw attention to an upcoming opportunity at The University of Iowa for those who have had their voting rights revoked due to a felony conviction. (While I’m not personally involved, I know people who are!)

i voted sticker red

Iowans who have lost their voting rights can restore them only through submitting a “Right to Vote and Hold Public Office” application to the Office of the Governor. The Governor then has the discretion to restore voting rights. (Governor Reynolds has restored the voting rights for 88 people since taking office in 2017.) While certainly a hurdle, the good news is that the state has recently streamlined the application to make it easier to complete. Additionally, Governor Reynolds has made public statements calling for a constitutional amendment to do away with the state’s lifetime ban on voting for felons, but that would take at least a couple legislative sessions for actual adoption per the state’s amendment process.

Voting Rights Restoration Clinic Info

In the meantime, the application is still essential for people looking to restore their voting and ability to hold public office rights. The University of Iowa Legal Clinic is hosting an opportunity for application assistance and advice for anyone interested. See the image below for more information and contact the Clinic at 319-335-9023 to reserve a spot. (Note: if you’re not able to participate on March 2, 2019, there are other opportunities for the Clinic to offer assistance, so don’t hesitate to call.)

voter rights restoration clinic

 

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