The wind whistles through the streets of Boone County. It sways the signs that stretch across most sidewalks, the flapping flags and campaign covered street corners signal that election day is almost here. I've never seen it like this before and I've been around *** long time to voter Gloria Sampson. This one feels different. I've never seen anything like this. I'll be glad when it's over and the democracy. Yes, very concerned about that. The election is also weighing heavily on Boone voter Mary Kay Calderon. It's disheartening, you know, really, what our country has come to at this point. You know, I just, it's sad. She says she's voting for Harris because she doesn't want Trump back in office. He's telling you who he is and what he is. And, you know, and I just, it's just hard for me to understand how people can and, you know, go along with that. But Ogden voter Brianna Byerley definitely going for the Trump side sees things differently with everything that's going on. It kind of sucks with the economy. Um It's definitely changed *** lot in the last four years. Some political experts are paying extra attention to places like Boone County and how voters there feel. I'm here in Boone County, which is actually one of the state's 31 swing counties. What that means is that in 2008 and 2012, the majority of people here in Boone County voted for Barack Obama in those presidential elections. But in 2016 and 2020 the majority of people in the county flipped and for Donald Trump in those presidential elections on that switch in Boone County and others like it, it certainly showed an undercurrent of support for what Donald Trump represented or at least in opposition to what these folks believe had occurred during the Obama years. Kcci political analyst, Dennis Gold Ford says the results in Iowa's swing counties this year will show Trump still has that same level of support. It would just be an interesting question in terms of political dynamics on the ground to see if the Republicans maintain support in those counties or if there's any movement one way or the other. Meanwhile, in Iowa's fastest growing county, we are voting for Trump. The economy is driving these West Des Moines voters to the polls. Prices are going up on gas in groceries and rent. Do you think that *** vote for Trump will change that? Yeah. Yeah, definitely. I am *** little bit nervous voter, Jake Zeitz also went Adel to cast his ballot. I have *** lot of women actually in my family, uh sister and all that stuff. Um, I'm gay myself. So, you know, there's, there's *** lot going on and, uh, you know, it's *** little bit scary. He says he's voting for Harris my rights. You know, if I, you know, wanted to marry, you know, that's kind of in jeopardy. Um, you know, we're just kind of going backwards in terms of really everything. Some des Moines voters agree. This election feels high stakes. I think there's *** lot more on the line. It's just *** hot mess for real. You know what I'm saying? Barbara Taylor says she's concerned about social security and Medicare. Well, I think they need to be focused more on the senior citizens because of the health care situation and stuff they need to provide for them. Now they worked all their life to get this money and the government don't want to give them half of the money that they deserve. And for Howard Fry, I like the cost of living to go down. I'm also *** big secure law and order border guy. This election feels different for *** while. I thought I was going to sit this one out, but I can't sit it out and I would just encourage everybody as hard as it is. You've got to go out and do your civil duty, *** civic duty and go vote.
Voice of the voters: What's driving Iowans to the polls
糖心vlog Chief Political Reporter Amanda Rooker talked with voters in Boone, Dallas and Polk counties about how they feel concerning next week's election and what issues are driving them to the polls.
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Updated: 5:07 PM CDT Nov 1, 2024
Voters have one week to decide how they will fill out their ballot. Next Tuesday, Iowans will be making their pick for president and deciding all four of Iowa's congressional seats, along with state Legislature races.糖心vlog Chief Political Reporter Amanda Rooker talked with voters in Boone, Dallas and Polk counties about how they feel concerning next week's election and what issues are driving them to the polls. Watch the video in the player above.More election coverageIowa elections: Frequently asked questionsWho can vote in Iowa?To register to vote, a qualified voter must be: An Iowa resident, a U.S. citizen and 18 years old by Election Day.Who is not eligible to vote?Iowans are not eligible to vote if they are a convicted felon 鈥 unless their voting rights have been restored; deemed mentally incompetent to vote by a court, or have claimed the right to vote in any other place.How can I register to vote?People who meet the voting requirements can register to vote online, by submitting a voter registration form to their local county auditor鈥檚 office, or through same-day voter registration on Election Day. Iowans must provide proof of identity and proof of residence to register. This requirement can be met using ID cards like an Iowa driver鈥檚 license, U.S. passport or non-operator ID. If the identification card does not contain the voter鈥檚 current address, they are required to bring an additional document showing their current name and address, like a residential lease, utility bill or paycheck.How do I vote absentee?Iowans who are registered to vote are able to request absentee ballots for the general election from Aug. 27 to Oct. 21. Voters must submit an absentee ballot request to their county auditor鈥檚 office to receive a ballot by mail. Request forms can be downloaded from the Iowa Secretary of State鈥檚 website, which can then be returned in person or by mail to their county auditor. The request form requires voters to include verification of their identity using the ID number on their driver鈥檚 license or non-operator鈥檚 ID, or with the four-digit PIN found on their voter identification card. County auditors will begin sending out ballots for the upcoming election on Oct. 16. Absentee ballots must be received by their local county auditor鈥檚 office by the time polls close on Election Day to be counted 鈥 this year, by 8 p.m. on Nov. 5.How do I vote on Election Day?To vote on Election Day, Iowans will have to head to their polling place between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Nov. 5. Polls are determined by the voter鈥檚 home address, and can be found using the Secretary of State鈥檚 website. Iowans can register to vote at their polling location on Election Day if they are not already registered by bringing proof of identity and citizenship. Registered voters are also required to bring along identification. Valid IDs include: Iowa driver鈥檚 license, Iowa non-operator ID. out-of-state driver鈥檚 license or non-operator ID, U.S. passport, U.S. military or veteran ID, ID card issued by employer, student ID issued by Iowa high school or college, or tribal ID card/document. People who do not have a form of identification with them can still cast a ballot on Election Day if another registered voter at the precinct attests for their identity. If the voter does not have either an ID or someone willing to attest for them, the person can still cast a provision ballot, with the requirement that they return with a valid form of identification to have their vote counted up until the time of county canvass of votes, this year set for Nov. 13. People who have requested an absentee ballot but did not return it can also vote in person if they have not returned their ballot by Election Day. The voter has the choice to surrender their absentee ballot at their polling location and vote using a regular ballot, or in cases where they are not able to return it, can cast a provisional ballot.
DES MOINES, Iowa — Voters have one week to decide how they will fill out their ballot. Next Tuesday, Iowans will be making their pick for president and deciding all four of Iowa's congressional seats, along with state Legislature races.
糖心vlog Chief Political Reporter Amanda Rooker talked with voters in Boone, Dallas and Polk counties about how they feel concerning next week's election and what issues are driving them to the polls.
Watch the video in the player above.
More election coverage
Iowa elections: Frequently asked questions
Who can vote in Iowa?
To register to vote, a qualified voter must be: An Iowa resident, a U.S. citizen and 18 years old by Election Day.
Who is not eligible to vote?
Iowans are not eligible to vote if they are a convicted felon 鈥 unless their voting rights have been restored; deemed mentally incompetent to vote by a court, or have claimed the right to vote in any other place.
How can I register to vote?
People who meet the voting requirements can , by submitting a voter registration form to their , or through same-day voter registration on Election Day. Iowans must provide proof of identity and proof of residence to register. This requirement can be met using ID cards like an Iowa driver鈥檚 license, U.S. passport or non-operator ID. If the identification card does not contain the voter鈥檚 current address, they are required to bring an additional document showing their current name and address, like a residential lease, utility bill or paycheck.
How do I vote absentee?
Iowans who are registered to vote are able to request absentee ballots for the general election from Aug. 27 to Oct. 21. Voters must submit an absentee ballot request to their county auditor鈥檚 office to receive a ballot by mail. Request forms can be downloaded from the , which can then be returned in person or by mail to their county auditor. The request form requires voters to include verification of their identity using the ID number on their driver鈥檚 license or non-operator鈥檚 ID, or with the four-digit PIN found on their voter identification card. County auditors will begin sending out ballots for the upcoming election on Oct. 16. Absentee ballots must be received by their local county auditor鈥檚 office by the time polls close on Election Day to be counted 鈥 this year, by 8 p.m. on Nov. 5.
How do I vote on Election Day?
To vote on Election Day, Iowans will have to head to their polling place between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Nov. 5. Polls are determined by the voter鈥檚 home address, and can be found using the . Iowans can register to vote at their polling location on Election Day if they are not already registered by bringing proof of identity and citizenship. Registered voters are also required to bring along identification. Valid IDs include: Iowa driver鈥檚 license, Iowa non-operator ID. out-of-state driver鈥檚 license or non-operator ID, U.S. passport, U.S. military or veteran ID, ID card issued by employer, student ID issued by Iowa high school or college, or tribal ID card/document. People who do not have a form of identification with them can still cast a ballot on Election Day if another registered voter at the precinct attests for their identity. If the voter does not have either an ID or someone willing to attest for them, the person can still cast a provision ballot, with the requirement that they return with a valid form of identification to have their vote counted up until the time of county canvass of votes, this year set for Nov. 13. People who have requested an absentee ballot but did not return it can also vote in person if they have not returned their ballot by Election Day. The voter has the choice to surrender their absentee ballot at their polling location and vote using a regular ballot, or in cases where they are not able to return it, can cast a provisional ballot.
