Moving forward with elections in a pandemic

Pandemic or not, people have the right to vote

Coronavirus pandemic or not?

Elections are still going on as scheduled.

So organizers are finding ways to keep people safe and healthy?

While still protecting their right to vote.

Kimt news 3's alex jirgens spoke with iowa secretary of state paul d pate about what his office is doing to make it easier for voters.

He joins us live now.

Alex?

Live amy?

Places like xxxxx church here usually see voters coming in and out all day on election days.

But on june 2nd's primary?

That might not be the case.

The period for absentee ballots in iowa opens up tomorrow.

The secretary of state's office is mailing request forms to all active registered voters.

They can also be accessed online.

Secretary of state paul d pate is heavily advising iowans to vote from home to prevent the spread of covi?19?

And not have a repeat of what happened in wisconsin?

Where officials are linking 19 cases of the coronavirus to people voting in person on primary day in that state.

He says safety for voters?

And poll workers?

Is key.xxx "they have face masks and gloves and sanitizer, our office has worked hand in hand with them to get those supplies.

We're making sure those poll workers are protected, but also voters themselves.

Absentee, voting by mail, is probably the best method."

Minnesota secretary of state steve simon recently introduced a similar plan?

Where each registered voter in the state would automatically get a ballot in the mail?

And there would be a reduced number of polling places on election day.

Live in mason city?

Alex jirgens?

Kimt here's a live look over mason city tonight... kimt stormteam 3 chief meteorologist chris nelson