Absentee ballots are now being accepted ahead of the November 3rd election in Iowa. 

Dallas County Auditor Julia Helm says they’ve received over 20,000 absentee ballot requests. Helms says there were around 18,000 ballots sent in for the 2016 general election and 16,000-17,000 in 2018. There are several contested races in Dallas County this year. Incumbent Republican District 10 State Senator Jake Chapman will be up against Democrat Warren Varley. Republican Carter Nordman will be on the ballot with Democrat Nick Miller for the open Iowa House District 19 seat. County Supervisor District 2 will feature Republican incumbent Mark Hanson and Democrat Larry Lyon. Incumbent Republican Julia Helm is running against Democrat Michael Kern for County Auditor.

You’ll be able to hear from each candidate during Raccoon Valley Radio’s special election program airing today at 6 p.m. on KDLS. The program will be available online at RaccoonValleyRadio.com and will re-air Tuesday, October 13th, at 1 p.m. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Election Day, November 3rd.