Voters Have Full Plates In Nov. 5 Election

Iowans hoping to cast informed ballots in the Nov. 5 general election have their plates full. As voters sort through the daunting plethora of candidates and causes amidst a barrage of ads, alerts, texts and emails seeking to sway their views and tap their bank accounts, what they really need is “factual, trustworthy information,” says Kim Durcho, senior vice president and chief of staff at BIPAC (Business-Industry Political Action Committee), a Washington, D.C.-based vendor of voter education and civic engagement programs.

In a partnership going back at least 15 years, BIPAC has provided resources and a website for the IAVotes program, also known as the Iowa Prosperity Project, sponsored by Economic Progress for Iowa's Citizens (EPIC), a not-for-profit entity founded in 1991 by businesses and trade groups, including ABI. The website, IAvotes.com, provides a range of information, including employer get-out-the-vote resources, non-partisan political analysis and databases on legislation, legislators’ voting records and open seats.

“While EPIC believes that Iowa and its citizens will benefit from a ‘pro-business’ environment, EPIC neither endorses nor opposes any candidate for public office. EPIC does encourage the electorate to become informed by publicizing issues and factual information on those issues, and to be active participants in the political process,” IAvotes.com states.

BIPAC itself “is a non-partisan membership organization,” says Ms. Durcho. “We work with large companies and trade associations. Voter engagement and civic engagement is a core part of what we do. We provide lots of resources, services and education opportunities for our members.”

BIPAC gets much of the information it compiles for clients to pass on to employees from state and county election officials. In Iowa that’s Secretary of State Paul Pate’s office and county auditors, who are the most reliable sources for information on election-related procedures, dates and deadlines for such things as voter registration, absentee and early voting. 

The program is “not about swaying anyone or telling anyone how to vote,” but providing factual resources and encouraging engagement in the political process, Ms. Durcho says.

Q&A with Kim Durcho, BIPAC

The following transcript has been edited for clarity and brevity.

ABI: Why do you believe it is important for companies to educate employees about voting and civic engagement?

KD: There is a lot of conflicting information around elections and voting. It can be difficult to find accurate information, know your candidates and make a plan to vote. Employers and employees need a trusted resource. We’ve found through post-election surveys that employees really do trust their employers to provide good information. It’s an opportunity to provide a real value, helps build trust and two-way communication.

ABI: What are some effective ways companies can promote voter education without appearing politically biased?

KD: Over the years, I’ve seen a lot of creative ways companies have found to strike that balance. When I look at civic engagement programs, there is a scale from information with dates and deadlines, information on finding polling places. Then invite them in to be part of the conversation with webinar or open office hours. Top-tier programs empower employees: Employee resource groups, internal chats on company social media. All depends on companies’ culture. 

There’s always the chance that someone can take something and feel like it is biased. The programs we see are the ones that stick simply to the facts. We’re here to provide you a website, a handout, how to be an empowered engaged voter. Focus on facts.

ABI: Can you share examples of how voter education initiatives have positively impacted an organization or community?

KD: When we think of community, we’re more focused on employers and workplaces. I’ve seen inspiring work from our member companies over the years. I’ve heard stories of employees who registered and voted for the first time ever because the government affairs team showed up and told how to register and vote. I’ve been witness to some employee-focused webinars that opened dialogue and allowed employees to engage.

ABI: How can employers ensure they’re providing accurate and nonpartisan voter information to their employees?

KD: The first thing, you have to be providing information that comes from a reliable source. When we compile that information from all 50 states, we’re getting it all straight from the election websites in that particular state. We’re not using other third parties. We will even pick up the phone and call secretary of state offices if we have questions.

If an organization decided to provide candidate comparisons, we make sure that information is coming straight from candidate’s website or some quoted source.

ABI: What challenges do you foresee in implementing voter education programs in the workplace?

KD: Presidential election years can be pretty divisive. We have heard from members that they are concerned there could be backlash. They want to make sure they are striking the right balance. They are worried people will decide to stay home and not vote because of the top of the ticket. One of the ways to address that challenge is to focus on the local and state races that are impacting the community. 

We created a program, Let’s Get Local, that’s been effective. Sometimes there are many candidates. One area had 15 candidates for school board. Voters wonder where do I even find good information? We help people do their own research. 

Secretary of State, County Auditors Key Iowa Election Resources

Candidates on the Nov. 5 ballot in Iowa range from the well-known to the obscure. Below the household names in the fiercely-contested U.S. presidential contest, are candidates for four U.S. congressional seats, scores of state senate and state house of representative slots, plus county and local offices, including township trustees, Soil and Water Conservation District commissioners and county ag extension board members.

Voters will also decide the fate of local bond issue and sales tax proposals in some areas. There are also two state constitutional amendments to consider, along with retention of state supreme, appeals and district court judges. With the election just weeks away, it’s none too early for voters to begin their research.

A sample ballot for your precinct will allow you to see exactly what candidates and issues you’ll be voting on. You can then gather information directly from campaigns, candidates, websites, media reports and sources like IAvotes.com to inform your choices.

Sample ballots are normally published by county auditors in local newspapers four to 20 days before the election. You can also obtain sample ballots by visiting your county auditor’s office or website. 

County auditors, along with the Secretary of State’s website, (https://sos.iowa.gov/) can answer voters’ questions on everything from election security to key dates and deadlines to absentee and in-person voting.

Important Dates for Voters

• Oct. 16: First day absentee ballots can be mailed; first day of in-person absentee voting
• Oct. 21: Voter pre-registration deadline; deadline to request an absentee ballot mailed; both by 5 p.m.
• Nov. 4: Last day of in-person absentee voting
• Nov. 5: Election Day, polls are open from 7 a.m.-8 p.m.; absentee ballots must be received by county auditors by 8 p.m.

Here’ a sampling of other helpful election information from the Iowa Secretary of State website:

Iowa Election Integrity

In a news release, Secretary Pate stressed the integrity of Iowa’s election administration. “Despite efforts from bad actors to sow doubt in the elections process, Iowans can rest assured that their vote is counted fairly and accurately. From paper ballots, pre-election equipment testing, post-election audits, and a range of cyber and physical security protections, Iowans can be confident in our layered approach to election integrity.” 

Secretary Pate’s office has also developed an Election Security in Iowa webpage (https://sos.iowa.gov/electionsecurityiniowa.html) to counter mis- and dis- information. It provides a detailed breakdown of the many security measures Iowa has in place to protect elections. 

If you have a voting-related question or witness questionable activity related to an election, fill out a form at https://sos.iowa.gov/elections/voterhotline/index.aspx or call Iowa’s Voter Hotline at 1-888-SOS-VOTE.

Secretary Pate: Have a Voting Plan

In a Sept. 26 news release, Secretary Pate said Iowans who plan to vote absentee by mail should be prepared to request their absentee ballot by Oct. 21. Part of that plan should also include tracking your absentee ballot, he advised.

Iowans can visit VoterReady.Iowa.Gov to track their ballot. This process allows them to see if and when their local county auditor has received the absentee ballot request, the specific date that the ballot was mailed out, and the date the county auditor received the ballot back from the voter. Iowa law requires absentee ballots to be returned to the county auditor’s office by the time polls close at 8 p.m. on Election Day.

Secretary Pate also noted that ”in efforts to remind Iowans to head to the polls, political parties and candidates may send voters ‘absentee ballot request’ mailings, resulting in some voters receiving multiple mailings regarding absentee ballot requests.

County auditors have procedures in place to ensure that if multiple absentee ballot requests do come in from one voter, only one absentee ballot will be mailed out, Mr. Pate said. He encouraged Iowans to call their county auditor if they have questions regarding this process.

Secretary Pate also urged every voter to have a plan in place to be successful in casting their ballot this election. “Whether you plan to vote absentee by mail, early absentee in-person, or in person at the polls on Election Day, it’s never too early to make a plan,” Mr. Pate said.