Allamakee County Corner: Primary Elections 101

What is a primary election?
A primary election is an election held by political parties to nominate candidates for public office. If a political party has more than one person seeking the party’s nomination, a primary election is held and the candidate who receives the most votes will win the party’s nomination and that candidate’s name and party affiliation will appear on the ballot in the general election. If there are multiple positions available, as in the upcoming election for County Supervisor where there are two seats up for election, two candidates from each party can be nominated in the primary election.  No one is actually elected during the Primary election. The candidates with the most votes move on to the General election.

Who is on the ballot during a primary?
For the purpose of primary elections, the Iowa Code defines a political party as a party whose candidate for President of the United States received at least two percent of the total votes cast for all candidates in the previous general election. Currently, only the Republican and Democratic parties meet that definition, so only those two parties will hold primary elections.  

Who can vote?
The Primary election is the only election where you cannot cross political party lines when voting. You cannot vote for both Republicans and Democrats. You must choose one party and vote the ballot for only that party.
You can be registered as one party, or as No Party (NP), but change your registration for the Primary. You do this by either stopping in the Auditor’s office before 5 p.m. May 23 or by declaring which party ballot that you want when you sign in at the polls. Doing either of these will change your official voter registration.

How do I change my party affiliation back after the election?
If you changed your party affiliation for the Primary, either at the Auditor’s office or at the polls, and want to change it back, you can mail an updated voter registration form to the Auditor’s office, or stop in the Auditor’s office after the election to fill out an updated voter registration form.

When can I vote?
Absentee voting began in the Auditor’s office April 24. You can request an absentee ballot by mail or stop in the Auditor’s office between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday to vote. If you choose to vote at the polls on Election Day, June 3, 2014, the polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

General questions:
Contact the Auditor’s office at 563-568-3522, or visit http://sos.iowa.gov to see if you are registered to vote and how to register, obtain an absentee ballot request form, or ask where your polling place is.