Friendship Haven has been named a satellite voting center for the upcoming general election.

The satellite center will provide an opportunity for any eligible voter to cast their ballot at Friendship Haven from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 1 with a valid drivers license.

“We’re proud to bring voting back to Friendship Haven,” said Friendship Haven CEO Julie Thorson. “This is a convenient way to help our residents exercise their right to vote. Not only that, but we’re in a great spot for students and other community members to come cast their votes as well. A few members of our team brought this option to us, and we were happy to help with the petitioning process.”

According to Webster County Auditor Doreen Pliner, a satellite voting center is a way to create an in-person absentee voting center in different parts of the county. For a site to be named a satellite voting center, it must be ADA compliant and a petition with signatures of more than 100 eligible voters along with their complete name and address must be provided to the Auditor’s Office.

Eligible voters wishing to utilize the satellite voting center should arrive between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. with a valid drivers license. According to Pliner, if a voter doesn’t have a current license, they should review the list of approved documents on the Iowa Secretary of State’s website that can be utilized to prove residence in Webster County. Parking at Friendship Haven will be available in the main parking lot at 420 Kenyon Road. Voters can enter through the Welcome Center.

According to Pliner, nearly 1,300 absentee ballots have already been requested in Webster County. All absentee ballot requests will begin to be mailed out on Wednesday. The deadline to request an absentee ballot is 5 p.m. Oct. 21.

Oct. 21 is also the deadline to register to vote.

“After that date, an individual may still register to vote during the in-person voting at the Courthouse, at a satellite vote center or on Election Day,” said Pliner.

In-person absentee voting will begin on Oct. 18 and run through Nov. 4 at the Webster County Courthouse. Voting hours will be from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.. The Auditor’s Office will also be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 2.

“I expect to see a high-volume turnout for this election,” said Pliner. “Plan on how and when to vote early, whether that be voting in-person, at the satellite voting center located at Friendship Haven or at the Courthouse. This may prevent you from standing in long lines on Election Day.”