This year, Secretary of State Paul Pate sent absentee ballot request forms to all registered voters in the state.

Thousands of voters in Washington and Johnson counties have responded, although a relative handful have returned the ballots as of May 5, a month before the election.

There is a big push to have as many voters as possible mail in their ballots to protect poll workers and voters from possible exposure to COVID-19. Some polling precincts may be consolidated on Election Day to further reduce exposure.

Washington County Auditor Dan Widmer, who oversees elections, said a thousand absentee ballots have been requested but as of May 5 only 22 have been cast.

In addition to voting by mail, voters may cast their ballots “absentee in person” weekdays from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at the Washington County Courthouse in Washington.

Because the courthouse is currently closed to the public, individuals wishing to vote in this manner need to call 319-653-7717 to schedule a time to vote.

Iowa voters are required to show an Iowa driver’s license or non-operator ID, U.S. passport, U.S. military ID or veteran’s ID, tribal ID/document or Iowa voter ID card at the polls before they vote.

When the individual arrives at the courthouse, they will need to telephone the auditor’s office at the number listed above, and in turn a member of the auditor’s office will come outside and assist.

“We strongly encourage citizens to vote by way of mail absentee which allows the voter to vote from their home,” Widmer said. “It is safe, convenient, and free of charge.”

In Johnson County, with a much larger population, 4,855 mail ballot requests were processed as of May 5. By week’s end, more than 15,000 had been requested.

As of May 5, there were 72 requests from Fremont and Lincoln townships and the city of Lone Tree. Only two have been returned so far.

Fourteen people have already cast a vote in person.

As in Washington, voters can cast their ballots at the Johnson County Administration building in Iowa City, but Johnson County Auditor Travis Weipert is asking folks to vote via mail if they can.

The deadline to request a mailed ballot is May 22 at 5 p.m.

If you have misplaced the absentee voter request form, go to the county auditor website to get a form.