Webster County Auditor Doreen Pliner announced deadlines for preregistration and absentee ballot requests for voters wishing to have their voice heard in November’s general election.

Preregistration deadline

The deadline to preregister to vote for the general election is Saturday, Oct. 24, at 5 p.m. This deadline applies to registration in person and by mail. Voters may register online on that date until 11:59 p.m.

Mailed registration forms postmarked on or before the worry-free postmark date are considered on time even if received after 5 p.m.

Though voters can still register on Election Day, Pliner highly recommends preregistration to expedite the voting process and eliminate the need to bring extra documentation for those who plan to vote in person.

Starting Tuesday, voters may register using the Election Day registration process at the Department of Human Services Building, 330 First Ave. N., in Fort Dodge. Instructions are available under the Auditor section on webstercountyia.org.

Absentee ballot request deadline

The deadline to return a request form for an absentee ballot is also this Saturday at 5 p.m. All requests must be received in the Auditor’s Office by this time to allow for sufficient transit time to deliver a ballot via mail.

All completed absentee ballots from voters must be postmarked by midnight on Nov. 2, the day before the election, if returned by mail.

Early voting and absentee return options

In-person absentee voting will continue at the DHS Building in Fort Dodge through Nov. 2. The absentee precinct is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The location will also be open on two Saturdays — Oct. 24 and Oct. 31 — from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Absentee ballots received via mail can also be returned to this location.

For those with concerns about mail delivery, other alternate locations to return absentee ballots include the Auditor’s Office on the second floor of the Webster County Courthouse (701 Central Ave., Fort Dodge) and the secure dropbox located in the alley between the Courthouse and The Messenger.