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60% voter turnout expected for Iowa primary

Posted at 7:51 AM, May 20, 2020
and last updated 2020-05-20 08:51:38-04

OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — The coronavirus was not a concern during Iowa's presidential caucus in February, but it is for the state's upcoming primary.

That will be held June 2, and like in Nebraska, election officials expect a bigger than usual turnout.

Iowa's secretary of state says based on the number of absentee ballot requests, a 60% turnout is expected. That would be historic.

"It tells me a couple things," said Paul Pate, Iowa Secretary of State. "The COVID-19 has impacted us a lot in our lives. We are looking to what government is doing. Maybe we have a stronger interest in what is going on in the election. We are at home, so we are kind of captive. And when you received that mail right to your home, its pretty hard not to do it. And it's pre-postage paid so everything is kind of convenient in a sense."

The absentee ballot request deadline is this Friday.

If you want to vote in person, be aware there will be fewer polling places, and you will required to practice social distancing.