Marshall County sees higher number of absentee voters
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Marshall County residents are turning out in larger numbers to cast early ballots for the Nov. 3 election.
According to Marshall County Auditor/Recorder Nan Benson, roughly 20 percent more, or 900, additional voters have either mailed their ballots in or showed up at the Election Center to make their voices heard in the general election.
"Four years ago, we had 4,500 absentee voters," she said. "As of [Wednesday], we had around 5,400. If this trend continues, we will see 7,500 to 7,600 absentee voters, which is way up from four years ago."
Watching election trends is something Benson enjoys. Four years ago, she would not have known there would be so many absentee voters in the 2026 election.
"It's pretty amazing, really," Benson said. "But when you start talking about elections for governor, U.S. Senate and House of Representations, all without incumbents – it makes things interesting, and I think that is why there has been more attention in Marshall County and in the state given to the election."
The higher number of voters means it can be easier for election workers to make mistakes.
"We tell them to take their time and go through each voter carefully," she said.
Benson anticipates continued large turnouts at the Election Center today, Saturday and Monday.
"I think we're going to be pretty busy," she said.
On Wednesday, Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate confirmed that U.S. Department of Justice election monitors will be in the state on election day. Benson believes the federal monitors will be in Linn and Polk counties.
"I could see them being in Story County as well because of Iowa State," she said. "We don't know what they're looking for, but I have not heard or seen of any paperwork coming in."
Benson said in the state of Iowa, poll watchers need to fill out a designation form. The watchers that have arrived at the Election Center have had the necessary paperwork.
"We've had poll watchers on most of the days of absentee voting," she said. "We get a list from the parties, telling us who is on there."
Anybody can be a poll watcher, Benson said, as long as the paperwork is done.
"You can't just show up on Election Day," she said. "Most of the time what helps is going through county or state parties. Then they're supposed to go through some training. We're not sure what they're looking for, but most of the poll watchers are super nice.
EARLY VOTING INFORMATION
Location: Marshall County Election Center
Address: 107 S. First Ave.
Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., today and Monday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday
Contact Lana Bradstream at 641-753-6611 ext. 210 or lbradstream@timesrepublican.com.