The auditor in Webster County last night contacted the Secretary of State’s office to call for an election emergency. Webster County auditor Carol Messerly says weather got worse all day in that part of central Iowa, and she knew the “central-count” rules required election volunteers to bring in the ballots after polls closed.The system requires election officials to seal up ballot boxes and bring them to the courthouse so the votes can be counted there after the polls close. But with special permission, the ballot boxes can be locked up at the precinct voting place and picked up in the morning when it’s safer to travel. The only other option is to postpone the vote and repeat it. Messerly said that wouldn’t be necessary since the weather was good enough that it appeared everyone who wanted to cast a vote would be able to do that. Once plows have cleared the roads, election volunteers will bring the votes to the Webster County courthouse so a count can begin to determine who won the election for sheriff.
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