Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate is reminding every Iowa voter to have a plan in place to be successful in casting their ballot this election. Whether you plan to vote absentee by mail, early absentee in-person, or in person at the polls on Election Day, it’s never too early to make a plan.

Those who plan to vote absentee by mail should be prepared to request their absentee ballot by October 21, 2024. Part of that plan should also include tracking your absentee ballot. Iowans can visit VoterReady.Iowa.Gov to track their ballot. This process allows Iowa voters to see if and when their local county auditor has received the absentee ballot request, the specific date that the ballot was mailed out, and the date the county auditor received the ballot back from the voter. Iowa law requires absentee ballots to be returned to the county auditor’s office by the time polls close at 8pm on Election Day, Tuesday, November 5.

In efforts to remind Iowans to head to the polls, political parties and candidates may send voters “absentee ballot request” mailings. In some instances, this may result in one voter receiving multiple mailings regarding absentee ballot requests. County auditors have a number of procedures in place to ensure that if multiple absentee ballot requests do come in from one voter, only one absentee ballot will be mailed out. Iowans are encouraged to call their county auditor if they have any specific questions regarding this process.

Iowa voters who plan to vote early absentee in-person can do so at their county auditor’s office or a special satellite location. Voters who plan to vote in-person at their polling site on Election Day can find their polling site at VoterReady.Iowa.Gov. Every voter who votes in person must present their voter ID (Iowa driver’s license, voter identification card, non-operator ID, military or veteran ID, passport, or tribal ID card/document).

Iowa’s election integrity approach requires multiple layers and following Iowa law and election procedures are critical to maintaining safe and secure elections.

If Iowans are looking for additional information on this process and other voting processes, please visit VotingProcess.Iowa.Gov for a video series about different voting procedures and laws in Iowa.

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) is accepting applications from Iowa high school students who wish to be considered for appointments to U.S. service academies. Students must submit their applications to Grassley’s office by Friday, October 25. Applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered. Nominations will be finalized by December 31, 2024.

“U.S. service academies offer students the opportunity to receive a world-class education while serving our great nation,” Grassley said. “It’s a privilege to nominate Iowa’s best and brightest to these prestigious academies. I encourage any interested student to apply.”

Grassley’s academy nomination application can be found HERE. Students may hand-deliver their applications to any of Grassley’s Iowa offices, or mail them to the following address:

U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley

Attn: Nominations Coordinator

721 Federal Building

210 Walnut Street

Des Moines, Iowa 50309

NOTE: Applicants must also submit preliminary applications to the academies of their choice and ask that a pre-candidate file be opened on their behalf.

The Henry County Board of Supervisors rejected the recommendation from the Planning and Zoning Commission at the board meeting on Thursday. This recommendation is over the alternative energy overlay ordinance. Absent from Thursday’s meeting was supervisor White.

At the September 17^th Planning and Zoning Commission public hearing, a commissioner recommended to repeal the existing Title 6 Chapter 2 Section 11 2-6 and replacing it with the ordinance proposed by the Henry County Watchmen LLC. This motion died due to a lack of 2^nd. A motion passed unanimously to table the Henry County Watchmen LLC ordinance until the following week.

At the board of supervisors meeting, board chair Greg Moeller asked for the legal opinion of the Assistant County Attorney, Steven Giebelhausen. After reviewing the proposed ordinance, Giebelhausen said that he believes the proposed ordinance will not hold up in court, and therefore it was his advice that it should be rejected by the board of supervisors.

Supervisor Lindeen made the motion to reject the recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission suggesting to “substitute the ordinance proposed by Henry County Watchmen LLC.” Moeller seconded the motion, and it was approved.

The board then voted to set a public hearing for Tuesday, October 8^th, at 6:00pm to further discuss the changes to the ordinance that the supervisors recommended. A meeting place has not been finalized yet, although the Planning and Zoning Director is waiting for confirmation on the use of the courtroom once again.

One citizen sent multiple emails to the board of supervisors after the September 17^th Planning and Zoning meeting (read the report here: Planning and Zoning Public Hearing ) but has not received any response. As one of the 3 people that put together the proposed Watchmen ordinance, she estimated that 85% of what is in the proposal comes from ordinances in other counties, believing that it would stand up in court.

The proposed ordinance put forth by the Henry County Watchmen, as well as the working ordinance, are on the county website at www.henrycounty.iowa.gov

Also at the meeting, a motion was approved proclaiming October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Shell Feijo and Shelby Ridenour presented to the board as representatives for DVIP/RVAP, which works with law enforcement, hospitals, social services, and those who reach out themselves. They provide a wide range of services, such as advocacy and counseling, which assists with long term healing, since many children are impacted by domestic violence. In fact, 1 in 3 Americans have witnessed domestic violence. Marc Lindeen thanked the group for all the work that they do.

Good work is being done on Franklin Avenue (W55), which is currently closed from 300^th Street south to Liberty Street. Flaggers will be utilized as they work in multiple areas along Franklin. Milling operations may begin late next week or early the following week, which will be a big step in the project.

The Henry County Board of Supervisors will meet again next Thursday, October 3^rd, at 9:00am in the county courthouse.

County directors play a critical role in the success of local extension programming, and in Washington County, Andy Miller is the go-to person.

Miller was named director in 2021 and was awarded the County Professional Excellence in ANR Programing award at this year’s professional development conference for Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources – held Sept. 16-17 at the Gateway Hotel and Conference Center in Ames.

“Andy brings outside experience and connections to his position, and is very well respected by all of our staff and our extension council,” said Holly Beinhart, office assistant for Iowa State University Extension and Outreach in Washington County.

Over the past three years, Miller has helped coordinate the county’s Master Gardener and Master Conservation programs, while also working closely with area field agronomist Rebecca Vittetoe, on additional outreach such as the newly launched “Field Talk” meetings with area farmers and the local ag industry.

According to Vittetoe, the “Field Talk” meetings are held in cooperation with Keokuk County, in an effort to host small-group discussions centered around current crop issues, as well as grain marketing.

“We’re very fortunate to have Andy here in Washington County,” said Vittetoe. “He has a lot of great connections and he’s not afraid to roll up his sleeves to help get things done.”

Miller also helps with field days and events at the Southeast Research and Demonstration Farm, and he is also part of an effort with the University of Iowa to improve roadway safety for farmers and non-farm motorists.

Miller is part of the “Roadway Safety Community Advisory Board,” which includes local farmers, local law enforcement, and others who are working together to improve roadway safety in Washington County and beyond.

Miller also helped organize a Youth Service Board, where five local youth planned a volunteer event.  This event led to partnerships with Washington School District, Mid-Prairie School District, Pleasantview House, Halcyon House, and UP Home with Iowa State Extension Washington County.  These five youths took 125 students to these partners and volunteered.  This experience was great for the students, teachers, faculty, and residents at the homes.

Outside of his extension work, Miller helps operate the family’s Christmas tree farm, is a Washington County firefighter and EMS volunteer, and can be found volunteering as a coach for one of his daughters’ volleyball teams. He is married to Cheyenne and is the father to three daughters: Carys, Isla, and Wren.