Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate is reminding eligible Iowans who would like to receive their ballot via mail to request their absentee ballots before the October 23 deadline. Written applications for mailed absentee ballots must be received by a voter’s local County Auditor’s Office no later than 5:00 p.m. on Monday, October 23.

All registered voters are eligible to make written requests for absentee ballots. In order to receive an absentee ballot, registered voters must provide the following information on the request form:

• Name
• Date of birth
• Iowa residential address
• Voter Verification Number (ID number)
  • Iowa Driver’s License or Non-Operator ID Number OR
  • Four-digit Voter PIN found on voter’s Iowa Voter ID Card. Any voter can request an Iowa Voter ID Card by contacting their County Auditor’s Office.
• Name or date of the election for which a voter is requesting the absentee ballot
• Signature and date the form was completed

All voters are also encouraged to provide a phone number and email address in the event their County Auditor needs to confirm any information on the request form.

“City and school elected officials play a critical role in our day-to-day lives, so it’s vitally important for Iowans to make their voices heard in November’s elections,” said Secretary Pate. “The best way to make your voice heard is to vote, and to be successful in voting, Iowans should solidify their voting plans early. Whether voting at the polls on Election Day or casting a ballot early by absentee ballot in person or through the mail, Iowans can be assured their voice is heard.”

Absentee ballot request forms are available for download directly from the Iowa Secretary of State website, VoterReady.Iowa.gov. Requests to receive a ballot by mail must be received by the County Auditor’s office by Monday, October 23, no later than 5:00 p.m. In-person absentee voting at the County Auditor’s office is available through November 6, the day before the election.

The Mt. Pleasant High School Panther Marching Band traveled south to Kahoka, Missouri, on Saturday. Competing at the annual Parade of Champions, the band ensured they would go home as such.

It was a clean sweep in Class 3A for Mt. Pleasant, as they had a stellar performance in the cool evening air. Awarded with the Best Percussion and Best Drum Majors, the band could have gone home happy with two. Instead, they won Best Color Guard once again, something they have picked up at every competition they’ve battled at this season.

The Mt. Pleasant High School Marching Band will travel to Davenport on October 14^th, as they will compete at the Iowa High School Music Association’s State Marching Band Festival. You can see them at 11:30am at Brady Street Stadium.

This October, State Treasurer Roby Smith is encouraging employers to celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) by joining IAble in supporting an inclusive work environment.

IAble is Iowa’s Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) plan and allows Eligible Individuals and their support system to save money without jeopardizing eligibility for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Medicaid and other federal benefit programs. “Working individuals with a disability may decline a promotion or an offer to work more hours so they can stay under asset caps, but here’s the good news, Eligible Individuals can save over $30,000 per year and protect their money when it is invested in an IAble account,” Smith said. “Help us spread the word by introducing IAble to your workplace and exploring the resources we have put together for you.”

Employers can utilize the IAble Employer Guide to find ways to inform employees about IAble and learn how to establish IAble payroll direct deposit as a free tool to help expand your benefits package. Other organizations linked on the Resources for Employers page can help employers learn about ABLE plans, find tips on creating inclusive work environments and receive guidance on job accommodations.

The popular Books for Babies campaign that provides each baby born at Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center in Fort Madison a book will continue thanks to a grant received by the Keokuk Education Association.

“We want to encourage families to read together early and often,” Diane Berner, Keokuk Community School District TAG program coordinator and kindergarten through third grade gifted education teacher, who submitted the grant application, said. “Books for Babies is a small start and we have wonderful local library services to support them.”

The association received the Iowa State Education Association Community Outreach Grant for the seventh year in a row to continue the campaign through 2024. The program also provides information about local library programs and parent tips for reading with their baby.

According to a 20-year study led by Mariah Evans, University of Nevada, Reno, having as few as 20 books in the home has a significant impact on propelling a child to a higher level of education, and the more books added, the greater the benefit.

The books and library information are delivered to families by Briley Wildar, manager of the BirthPlace, and her department staff. Angela Budnik, director of marketing & communications at Great River Health, Monica Winkler, director of the Keokuk Public Library, and Merissa Lewiston all assisted with coordination and materials.

The Iowa State Education Association provides community outreach funds to encourage members and local associations to collaborate and create opportunities for community service or school projects. The funded projects should meet an identified need within the community, be sustainable and help build visible foundations for deeper relationships with students, families, and communities. ISEA’s mission is to “promote quality public education by placing students at the center of everything we do while advocating for education professionals.”

“We are thrilled to be able to continue this successful program with the support of KEA, ISEA, Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center, Fort Madison, and the Keokuk Public Library,” Berner said. “This is truly a community effort to improve literacy.”