All Grundy County voting sites are fully accessible to persons with physical disabilities. Each site also has a voter assist ballot marking device that allows persons with disabilities to vote independently. This device allows voters to make their selections using an audio read-back and touchpad or touchscreen. The touchscreen option provides magnification and reverse black and white images. Voters unable to see the screen may have the screen turned off and use only the audio read-back and touchpad features. The audio read-back feature provides all ballot instructions, choices, and selections in an audio format using headphones. After making selections with the ballot marking device via touchpad or touchscreen, the device will mark the voter’s paper ballot and the voter will insert their marked ballot in the regular ballot tabulator used for all other ballots at their precinct.

In addition, voters may choose another person to assist them to vote, except their employer, employer’s agent, or an officer or agent of the voter’s union.

Curb-side voting is also available at each site for voters unable to leave their vehicle. Voters wishing to use the curb-side option should bring someone with them and contact the voting site or County Auditor’s Office at 319-824-3122 with an expected time of arrival.

In addition, voting by absentee ballot may be an option for those voters who will be unable to vote at the polls on General Election Day, November 8, 2016. Qualified voters may vote by absentee ballot in one of two ways:

To vote early by absentee ballot, voters may stop at the County Auditor’s Office on the 2nd floor of the Courthouse during normal business hours Monday through Friday (8:00 AM to 4:30 PM). The Auditor’s Office will also be open on Saturday, October 29, and on Saturday, November 5, for early voting. The last day to vote by absentee ballot at the Auditor’s Office is November 7. With appropriate identification, eligible electors who are not currently registered to vote may do so at the same time they are casting an absentee ballot in person.

To vote early by mail, absentee ballot request forms are on the Grundy County website www.grundycounty.org. Click on “Where do I .?” and then click on “Vote Absentee”. You may then complete the Official Absentee Ballot Request Form. The completed forms should be dropped off or mailed to the Grundy County Auditor, 706 G Ave., Grundy Center, IA 50638-1496. The last day to request an absentee ballot by mail is November 4.

Absentee ballots returned by hand may be delivered to the County Auditor’s Office at the Courthouse until 9:00 PM on November 8. Absentee ballots may not be turned in at the polling place, except to be surrendered and voided, in which case the voter would then vote at the polls.

Absentee ballots returned by mail must be postmarked by November 7 and received before noon on November 14.

Polls will be open at 7:00 AM and close at 9:00 PM on General Election Day,

November 8. Contact the Grundy County Auditor’s Office if you have any questions (319-824-3122).