Frequently Asked Questions

GENERAL POLICY

Story County, Iowa has adopted a policy on links from the County's website at www.storycountyiowa.gov. Story County limits links only to those sites which promote Story County government, as well as links to other government and educational institutions.

POLICY 

Story County only permits electronic links from the County's website when meeting the following conditions, and only after written submittal of the Website Link Request-Story County, Iowa, to Story County is approved by the County Outreach and Special Projects Manager. Such approval shall be based upon information in the Website Link Request - Story County, Iowa showing that the applicant meets at least one of the following criteria:

• The State of Iowa, the Federal Government or other local government agencies or an agency thereof;
• An educational institution in the State of Iowa funded with public funds;
• A not-for-profit corporation organized under the laws of the State of Iowa which promotes the welfare, environmental welfare, and/or tourism of Story County, Iowa;
• A commission or agency funded in whole or in part by the Story County, Iowa;
• A party that has an established partnership with Story County and which promotes the welfare, environmental welfare, tourism and/or industry of the County.
• Emergency management issues.
• Other links may be considered by the Board of Supervisors upon official request.

Placement of the link is at the sole discretion of Story County.

Those websites for which links have been approved and placed on the Story County website are not controlled, maintained, or regulated by the County or any organization affiliated with the County, and Story County is not responsible for the content of those websites. Use of information obtained from those websites is voluntary, and reliance on that information should only be undertaken after an independent review of its accuracy. Reference at those websites to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, or otherwise does not constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation by Story County.

Links to websites may be terminated if Story County determines in its sole discretion that the linking party ceases to meet the criteria as outlined in this policy.

Spayed or neutered cat over 6 months - $50. Spayed or neutered cat under 6 months $75

Spayed or neutered dog over 6 months - $75. Spayed or neutered dog under 6 months $100

Working/Barn Cat - Free

Rabbit - $20

Guinea Pig/Small Pet - $15

Once you have decided you would like to adopt an animal from us an adoption request form must be submitted.  These can be filled out in person or online. Our hours of operation are from 12 pm - 4 pm extending to 11 am on Tuesday through Fridays. Please note that we are closed on weekends and holidays for walk-ins. To safeguard the well-being and contentment of our adoptable animals, access to the dog area is restricted, whereas the cat area is open for viewing only. In order to interact with any animals that you may be interested in your application must be received and approved. A staff member will reach out to you by email or phone to schedule an appointment for a meet and greet and adoption. 

If you witness suspected neglect or cruelty to animals, call your local animal control agency as soon as possible. If you're unfamiliar with local organizations, reach out to your local law enforcement. Be sure to document the case as well as you are able with dates, times, and specific details. All of these things can help appropriate agencies during any investigation they may do of the suspected cruelty. You can reach Story County Animal Control at 515-382-3338.

All dogs and cats are spayed/neutered before adoption. They are microchipped and tested for intestinal parasites. They receive routine deworming as well as treated for any external parasites. Dogs and Cats are vaccinated for distemper and rabies. Cats are tested for Feline Leukemia and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus. Dogs are vaccinated for Bordetella and tested for heartworms. 

For more information give us a call at 515-382-3338 or visit our Ways to Volunteer tab.

A person ordained or designated as a leader of the person’s religious faith or a judge of the supreme court, court of appeals, or district court may perform a marriage ceremony. To schedule an appointment with a judge, call (515) 337-8294.

Yes. We accept applications by appointment Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. For further details on the application process please click on the "Passports" link on the left side of the Recorder's home page.

No, blood tests are not required.

On your computer, click the Start menu

Type Default Apps in the search

Click Default Apps to set your default programs

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Click Set this program as default

Click OK

Our office does not assist with locating housing, but our staff will refer individuals to:

• Rental agencies
• Central Iowa Regional Housing Authority (CIRHA), for subsidized housing
• Newspapers
• Yellow Pages
• http://www.iowahousingsearch.org
• www.apartmentfinder.com/iowa/ames-apartments
• www.rentames.com
• www.apartments.com
• 
  

Gasoline or bus ticket assistance is only available for transient individuals who are leaving the state of Iowa.

No, this office does not assist with any type of deposit. Referrals are made to other local agencies for deposit assistance.

Centralized Intake:   Story County General Assistance in conjunction with Good Neighbor Emergency Assistance and The Salvation Army is providing a Centralized Intake process for rent and utility assistance for Story County Residents.  Applications for rent and utility assistance can be made at Story County General Assistance, one  application, one location for assistance from multiple agencies.  Service Coordination is also available to assist interested applicants in connecting to other resources, services, and supports.

Please contact our office at (515)-663-2930 to schedule an appointment. 

Individuals requesting grocery vouchers are referred to local food pantries and the Department of Human Services to apply for food assistance. Community Services may assist on a case-by-case basis when all other resources are exhausted.

Contact CICS (Central Iowa Community Services) by calling 515-513-6870. 

You can also find more information at the following website:

Story County no longer operates a Case Management program as of July 1, 2016. If you are interested in Case Management services, please contact a Service Coordinator in our office to assist you with referrals to access this service.

It is unlawful to hunt migratory game birds or resident game or furbearers with a firearm while possessing ammunition other than nontoxic ammunition in all SCC owned and managed areas. Skunk River Flats, Doolittle Prairie, and Colo Bog are not subject to this regulation but are subject to all State wildlife regulations.

It depends on the damage. The mailbox will not be replaced if the mailbox was damaged by flying snow or snow being moved by our equipment. The mailbox will be replaced according to our ordinance if it has been hit by snow removal equipment. Below is the paragraph form our ordinance addressing mailboxes. To report a damaged mailbox please call our office number 515-382-7355 or email engineerweb@storycountyiowa.gov and provide name, the mailbox address, and phone number.

 "  3.   Private Drives. The County will not clear snow from private drives. Normal snow removal operations may result in snow being deposited in private drives. Snow from private drives shall not be placed on the roadway or shoulders. New mailboxes, plain galvanized normal small size, will be issued to owners only if destroyed mailbox has been hit by snow removal equipment. Mailboxes thus provided must be mounted on 4 x 4-inch wood posts. Claims for replacement mailboxes must be made by the end of the third day after the box is damaged. Replacement boxes will not be provided for those damaged by flying snow."

Fill out section one of the Driveway Permit and then bring it in to the Engineer's office. Payment must be received before a field inspection will occur and the driveway cannot be installed until the field inspection is completed. To pave an existing driveway a Use of Right of Way Permit is required. 

View the traffic map for Story County.

Review these Links. Story County Engineer (LINK) and Story County Auditor (LINK)

The current projects for the year are listed under the Road Closure / Construction Project Map (LINK). 

The county also updates a 5 year program each year. 

To start this process, you must first fill out an "Application for Construction of On-Site Sewage Waste Treatment and Disposal System." Mail or drop off the completed form, along with the current application / permit fee of $150 and the $100 site review fee (payable to: Story County Treasurer), to the Health Department at the address listed on the form.

You may apply and pay online by using the following link: Apply online

Once the application and fee are received by the Health Department, we will contact you to arrange a time to review your site to establish the proper system arrangement.

The first step is to find out what your property is zoned, and then if the type of use or building you want to do is permitted in that zoning district. Our staff can prepare a Property Research Report for you, which will tell you all the information about the property and outline all steps for whatever you would like to do. There is a cost of $50 per parcel for property research. Please contact the Planning and Development Department and we will get you started through the process.

There are many things to consider when moving to the country. Please review our Guide to Rural Living for some important facts to consider.

When development proposals are submitted to our department, we notify (by the U.S. Postal Service) property owners within a quarter-mile of upcoming hearings and, if the weather allows, place a large sign on the property. If you are interested in receiving email updates on different projects and proposals, please contact us and we can add your name and address to our email list. Also, if you are interested in serving on the Planning and Zoning Commission or Board of Adjustment, applications are always welcome.

• A deputy sheriff works for the County Sheriff’s Office. The State of Iowa is divided into 99 counties. The Story County Sheriff’s Office provides law enforcement, plus operates the county jail and courts. Some independent cities provide their own police force. In Story County, there are rural towns that do not have local law enforcement. Many towns contract with the Sheriff’s Office for law enforcement. This contract provides all the services of a normal police department (including extra services such as SWAT teams, specialized detective services, and emergency services)
• A police officer works for a specific community (i.e., the Ames Police Department).
• In state-operated facilities, the Iowa Department of Public Safety provides law-enforcement functions. The Iowa State Patrol provides traffic-related enforcement in different communities as well as the interstates and highways

Deputies are trained at the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy for approximately 15 weeks. After the academy is completed, new deputies participate in field training, which lasts on average three months. Deputies continually receive updated training in their career along with training in specialized areas.

• Don’t give away your password or personal details.
• Get to know the buyer or seller. Ask them questions and get their response.
• Understand the auction process, the website’s rules and own safety advice. 

• They might request upfront payments or private information
• They will have a false sense of urgency
• They will include odd, unneeded details
• They will promise giant rewards, lottery wins, lost inheritances, etc…

• A child younger than 1 and weighing less than 20 pounds must be secured in a rear-facing child restraint system*
• A child 1 to 5 years old must be secured in a child restraint system (a safety seat or booster seat—not a seatbelt)
• A child from age 6 to age 17 must be secured in a child-restraint system or by a seatbelt
• Rear occupants up to age 18 must be secured by a safety belt

*A child restraint system is a specifically designed seating system, including a belt positioning seat or booster seat that meets federal motor vehicle safety standards (Iowa Code 321.446)

Disability compensation occurs when the VA determines a Veteran to have a disability, injury, or illness that was incurred or aggravated during active military service. For eligibility and more details, please call our office at 515-956-2626.

You can request these items online at the National Archives website or you can contact our office at 515-956-2626 to make an appointment. 

Yes, we have a leased van from the VA and can provide transportation to any VA scheduled appointment. (Our drivers are volunteers and this service is dependent on driver availability). To schedule a ride, call us at 515-956-2626.

You can apply at the Story County Assessor's Office once you've recorded your DD-214 with the Story County Recorder's Office.

Please call us at 515-956-2626 to make an appointment or get your question answered over the phone.

Provide a copy of your DD-214/discharge paperwork at your local DMV.

Veterans are eligible by meeting income guidelines or with a Service-Connected Disability. To apply or find out more about eligibility, call our office at 515-956-2626.

A denied claim can be appealed in multiple ways. To start this process, contact our office at 515-956-2626.

The new owner has 30 days to present the properly assigned title to his/her county treasurer so that a title can be issued in the new owner’s name. Penalties will apply after 30 days.

This includes purchasing, dropping or adding a name to a vehicle or a vehicle is gifted to you, etc.

The vehicle is not to be used on Iowa roadways. Penalties will be applied. If you have credit from a vehicle you sold, you will still be able to get that credit as long as it is within six months from date of sale of that vehicle.

Story County Treasurer's Office highly suggests that you do not wait until the last day to transfer the vehicle. If additional information is needed and you are sent away penalty will still begin 30 days after the date of sale.

For a large Iowa Standard Number License plate, place the Registration Renewal Sticker in the bottom, left corner of the rear license plate.  If there is a sticker already on the license plate from a previous renewal, place the new sticker on top of the previous year's sticker. See diagram below:

For a small motorcycle/small regular trailer, place the Registration Renewal Sticker in the top, left corner of the rear license plate.  If there is a sticker already on the license plate from a previous renewal, place the new sticker on top of the previous year's sticker.  See diagram below:

For any DNR license plates (Goldfinch, Deer, Eagle, Pheasant, or Trout), place the sticker in the bottom, right corner of the rear license plate.  If there is a sticker already on the license plate from a previous renewal, place the new sticker on top of the previous year's sticker.  See diagram below:

Previous years stickers can be removed and disposed of. Be sure the current year sticker is going to adhere to the plate.

In August 2017, a new plate design was voted on at the Iowa State Fair (See Below). The previous plate design will be issued until individual county treasurers deplete their existing inventory. Contact your local treasurer prior to ordering to see if the new design below is available in your area. Plates such as collegiate, DNR, and government designs will not change. 

Residents will not be issued a no cost plate with the new design until the 10-year replacement cycle. If a resident would like to update to the new design it will cost $5.00 and the old set of plates will need to be returned to your local county treasurer’s office.

The name connector "and" means that both owners that are listed on the vehicle title will have to sign as sellers when the vehicle is sold. The name connector "or" means that only one of the owners that are listed on the face of the vehicle title will have to sign as seller when the vehicle is sold. 

When applying for a replacement title both owners are required to sign the application regardless of the connector of "and" or "or".

Iowa does not issue a title for a trailer that weighs under 2000 pounds. The ownership document is the registration, and you may sign it over to a new owner by completing the bottom of the registration where it says: Date of Sale, Purchaser, Address, and Signature of Seller.

Complete form Application for Replacement of Iowa Certificate of Title to a Motor Vehicle (Form 411033). The application must be signed by all owners. If there is an open lien on the vehicle, the application will need to be signed by the lien holder.

If there is an open lien on the title, but the lien holder does not have an interest in the vehicle any longer, they may complete a separate notarized Cancellation of Security Interest (Form 411168). A letter from the security interest holder on their letterhead paper is acceptable if it has the following information: make, year, VIN, owners name(s) and address, and the letter must be notarized.

Once the application is received either in person or by mail there is a mandatory 5-day waiting period before the replacement title is issued. The fee for a replacement title is $35.00.

We accept cash, checks (out-of-state is acceptable), money orders, cashiers’ checks, and bank drafts. Debit Card transactions with a non-refundable $2.00 service delivery fee. We also accept credit cards (Master Card, Discover, and Visa) with a non-refundable 2.25% service delivery fee. Online E-Check is accepted with a non-refundable $0.25 service delivery fee. 

Service Delivery fees are not set or retained by the county and are non-negotiable.

$30.00 Service fee will be assessed on any Returned Payments. 

No. Story County Treasurer’s Office does NOT provide Driver’s License services.  Customer will need to contact Iowa DOT Driver’s License station located in Ames. Phone: 515.296.2393 

Automobiles, Multi-purpose, and Trucks {2010 and newer with a weight less than 10,000 lbs}

All are figured by the vehicle weight and list price as follows: $0.40 cents per hundred pounds of vehicle weight plus:

Weight: 3,000 pounds, list price $18,500
(3,000/100) x $.40 = $ 12
$18,500 x 1% = 185
Annual Fee $197

Antique (A motor vehicle 25 years old or older)
$23 (1970-1983)
$16 (1969 and older) Ownership before 01/01/2009
$50 purchased after 01/01/2009

Motorcycle
$20 (1-5 years old)
$10 (6 years or older)

Small Regular Trailer (Less than 2,000 lbs.)
$20

Regular Trailer (2,000 lbs.)
$30

Travel Trailer
$.30 per sq. ft. (1-6 years old)
75% of original fee (7 years or older)

If you have specific questions regarding your vehicle, please contact your County Treasurer's Office.

In order to store the vehicle/plates legally, the vehicle must currently be registered. The plates and the current registration need to be surrendered at the County Treasurer’s Office so that the State Motor Vehicle System can be updated and the registration stamped "STORED". Once the plates have been surrendered and registration marked you will not be required to pay the yearly registration fees. This also means the vehicle cannot be driven on the roadway at any point. Storage of a vehicle for less than 13 months is not suggested as one full year registration is paid no matter how long the vehicle has been stored.  

To pull the vehicle out of Storage you will need to stop in your county treasurer's office and one full year registration fee will be collected. New plates and registration will be issued at the time of payment.

Storage of a vehicle does not work for driver's license reinstatement programs.

One month prior to your renewal month, your renewal month, or the month following to renew without penalty. When the last day of the month that a vehicle registration is due falls on a Saturday, Sunday or a holiday, the payment deadline is extended to include the first business day of the following month.

Penalty is assessed at a rate of 5% of the fee due, per vehicle, per month with a $5.00 per vehicle minimum.

The administrative offices of the Story County Sheriffs Office are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM., excluding holidays (New Years Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day and the following Friday, and Christmas and one additional day).

You must appear in person to the Story County Sheriff's Office, located at: 1315 S. B Ave. Nevada, IA 50201 to apply for a Permit to Acquire. 

You must be at least 21 years of age and a resident of Story County with a picture ID (i.e., an Iowa driver's license or Iowa ID card) reflecting a Story County address.

Once you have applied, the Sheriff's Office personnel will run the appropriate background checks. Upon successful completion of the background checks, a fee of $25 will be collected for the Permit to Acquire and will be valid for a period of 5 years. 

Concealed weapons permit applications must be submitted online with the option to pay using a credit/debit card and requires a valid email address.  For those of you without online access there is a computer kiosk in the lobby of the Sheriff's Office available for public use. All applicants will be required to upload the required documentation that is listed on the application. If you are unable to upload the required documentation, please bring them to the Story County Sheriff's Office located at 1315 South B Ave in Nevada during application hours. Permits will not be approved until we have the required documents. 

A processing fee and convenience fee for all credit/debit card orders will be charged.  Cash payment is accepted if you use the computer kiosk at the Story County Sheriff's Office.

An unloaded handgun may be transported in a closed and fastened container or securely wrapped package which is too large to conceal on a person, or inside a cargo or luggage compartment where the handgun is not readily accessible to any person in the vehicle.

An unloaded rifle or shotgun may be transported if it is taken down or totally contained in a securely fastened case.

In conjunction with the Recorder's Office, we have scanned our transfer books, original plats, and other property records.  These images are rendered online just as they appear in the original books.  View records here.  

If you have a parcel number or a property address, you can find the following information on the Story County GIS Property website:

• Aerial views and maps via ArcIMS
• Appraisal report
• Last sale amount
• Taxation and valuation
• Ownership
• Property photographs

Always use original recorded documents to answer legal and survey questions.

To find the latest information or tax statement for the property, complete a property search on the Beacon - Story County, IA / City of Ames website.

After finding your property, a copy of the current Tax Statement can be located under the section Tax History. On the right hand side click on the Tax Statement/Receipt with the desired year.

Questions can also be directed to the office at 515.382.7330.

Property tax payments are due in two installments.  The 1st installment is due September 1st with late interest charged beginning October 1st.  The 2nd installment is due March 1st with late interest charged beginning April 1st.

When the last day of the month is a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday, the deadline for remitting tax payments without late interest or additional late interest for delinquent installments is extended to include the first business day of the following month.

Postmark date accepted on property tax payments. (Excludes property taxes sold at Tax Sale)

Mailing Address changes can be made by submitting a Property Tax Change of Address to the County Auditor.

Legal Name Changes and other changes to property title require that proper legal documentation be prepared and submitted to the County Recorder’s Office.

In a typical real estate transaction, taxes are prorated in the closing process and the buyer is either given credit for the seller's portion or the seller pays the taxes directly to the County Treasurer as part of the property sale. Details of how the taxes were handled should be on the settlement statement provided at the closing of your real estate transaction. This can be reviewed with the realtor or the attorney who handled the transfer documents.

The tax statement can be forwarded to the new owners, or return the statement to the County Treasurer with a note indicating ownership has changed.

In a typical real estate transaction, taxes are prorated and the buyer is either given credit for the seller's portion or the seller pays the taxes directly to the County Treasurer as part of the property sale. Details of how the taxes were handled should be on the settlement statement provided at the closing time of your real estate transaction. Contact the realtor or the attorney who handled the transaction to confirm.

Real estate taxes are always a year behind. For instance: the taxes due in September and March cover the time period from July 1 – June 30 of the previous year.

Late interest begins on October 1st for the first half and April 1st for the second half payments. Interest accrues on the first day of each month if a tax payment is not paid before the due date. The interest accrues at the rate of 1.5% per month (rounded to the nearest dollar) with a minimum of one dollar. Late interest is added to the unpaid balance of your property taxes.

When the last day of the month is a Saturday, Sunday, or a holiday, the deadline for remitting tax payments without late interest or additional late interest for delinquent installments is extended to include the first business day of the following month.

Taxes that remain unpaid could be subject to tax sale. Once the taxes are sold at tax sale, they are paid by another party. A tax lien is then placed on the property and if it is not redeemed within the time specified by Iowa law, the tax sale certificate holder may initiate proceedings to obtain a tax deed on the property.

If you are mailing your tax payment it is very important that it is at the post office in time for a proper 30th or 31st postmark, which is acceptable.

Pursuant to Iowa law, the County Treasurer is required to mail a tax statement to the titleholder of record on all parcels in the County. Third party payers such as mortgage companies or escrow companies request tax statements from the County Treasurer if they are responsible for paying your taxes. If your mortgage/escrow company is required to pay your taxes, you should retain the tax statement sent to you for income tax purposes.

If you are unsure if the mortgage/escrow company is responsible for the property taxes please reach out to them directly to confirm.

Special assessments are taxes due for public improvements such as the paving of streets, installation of new sewer systems, drainage systems, or sidewalks. Special assessments may also be assessed for delinquent water or solid waste/recycling bills. Counties may send a separate tax statement for special assessments due against a property. The special assessment notice mailed indicates the type of special assessment and how much is owed. In most instances special assessments are due with the first installment of property tax in September.

The rates or charges for the services of sewer systems, sewage treatment, solid waste collection, water, disposal, storm water drainage systems, city utility or enterprise charges are a lien on the property receiving services once they are certified to the County Treasurer if they are not paid to the city as provided by ordinance of city council or resolution of the trustees. A lien on the property has equal precedence with ordinary taxes and may be certified to the County Treasurer and collected in the same manner as taxes. This lien is not divested by a judicial sale.  For more information on this, please refer to Iowa Code 384.67, 384.84, 362.2(2), 331.553.4

Notice: Mortgage or escrow Companies are not responsible or liable to cover special assessments. Confirm with your Mortgage/Escrow company to confirm who will be responsible.

Tax suspension means that you will not have to pay your property taxes until the property is sold or transferred to another person.

Your property taxes may be suspended if: You get either Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or State Supplementary Assistance (SSA), or You live in a nursing home and the Department of Human Services is paying for all or part of the cost for your care. You will not have to pay a penalty while your taxes are suspended. The suspended taxes will need to be paid when the property is sold or transferred. If you want to, you still can pay your taxes while they are suspended. The County Board of Supervisors run the tax suspension program. You must give to the County Board of Supervisors proof that you qualify for property tax suspension. You do this in the county where your property is located.

. Applications are available from January through May each year at the County Treasurer's Office.

If you are totally disabled or 65 years of age or older and your total household income is less than the amount set by the State of Iowa, you may qualify for tax relief under the provisions of Iowa Code Section 425.16. Applications are available from January 2 through June 1 each year online or at the Treasurer's Office. Tax credits and exemptions may be reduced pursuant to Iowa Code Section 25B.7. Contact your County Treasurer for further information or to obtain the application forms.

If you are 23 years of age or older and your total household income is less than the amount set by the State of Iowa, you may qualify for tax relief under the provisions of Iowa Code Section 435.22. Applications are available from January 2 through June 1 each year at the Treasurer's Office or can be downloaded from the Property Tax Forms. Tax credits and exemptions may be reduced pursuant to Iowa Code Section 25B.7. Contact the County Treasurer's office for further information or to obtain the application forms.

We accept cash, checks (out-of-state is acceptable), money orders, cashiers’ checks, and bank drafts. Debit Card transactions with a non-refundable $2.00 service delivery fee. We also accept credit cards (Master Card, Discover, and Visa) with a non-refundable 2.25% service delivery fee. Online E-Check is accepted with a non-refundable $0.25 service delivery fee. 

Service Delivery fees are not set or retained by the county and are non-negotiable.

$30.00 Service fee will be assessed on any Returned Payments. 

To request an absentee ballot, print out the Iowa Absentee Ballot Request Form, fill it out and mail it or hand-deliver it to the Auditor’s Office. 

Story County Auditor’s Office 900 6th St. Nevada, IA 50201 

Upon receiving the request and when absentee balloting begins, an absentee ballot and voting instructions will be mailed to you. If you do not having printer capability or access to the internet, you may call the Auditor’s Office to have a request form mailed to you. (515) 382-7210.   

In lieu of the Iowa Absentee Ballot Request Form, you may submit a written request for an absentee ballot on a piece of paper no smaller than 3x5 inches.

The request must contain the following required information: 

• Name
• Date of Birth 
• Iowa driver’s license/non-operator ID number OR 4-digit PIN from your voter confirmation card 
• Address (this must be a street address, not a PO Box) 
• Mailing Address for the Absentee Ballot (if different from Story County voting address) 
• Political Party Affiliation (Primary Election only) 
• Name OR Date of Election (e.g., City-School Election, November 2, 2021) 
• Signature and Date 
• For mailed ballots, completed forms must be returned to the Auditor’s Office by 5:00 p.m. no later than the pre-registration deadline for the election (15 days before all elections).

Any registered voter may vote by absentee ballot in any election. There are two ways to vote early: 

In Person: Once absentee voting begins (currently 20 days prior to any election), you may vote in the Auditor’s Office during business hours, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Additional in-person voting opportunities are available on the Saturday preceding a Primary Election and the Saturday preceding a General Election.  Additional opportunities for in-person absentee voting may be provided at satellite stations. Satellite voting is called by petition of citizens. The deadline to vote absentee in person at the Auditor's Office is 4:30 p.m. the Monday before an election. 

By Mail: To vote by mail, send a signed request form or a written request for an absentee ballot with all the required information to the Auditor’s Office.

You can request an absentee ballot for an election no more than 70 days before the date of the election. Ballots will not be mailed until the 20th day before the election. The deadline to request that a ballot for any election be mailed to you is 5:00 p.m. on the 15th day before an election (three Mondays before). You may still vote by absentee in-person at the Auditor’s Office until 4:30 p.m. on the Monday before an election. If you are voting by mail, your ballot must be returned to the Auditor’s Office by the close of polls on Election Day (8 pm for all elections).

For domestic voters, ballots are sent out 20 days before the election. On the 20th day before an election, absentee ballots are sent to everyone who has requested a ballot up to that point. Requests that are received after ballots are available and prior to the deadline to request a mailed ballot (15 days prior to election) are processed and sent out within the next business day.

The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) makes it easier for military personnel and overseas citizens to participate in elections. The voter completes a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) form to receive ballots. The FPCA serves as both a voter registration application and an absentee ballot request application. The voter will be mailed absentee ballots for all federal elections during a calendar year, unless the voter states s/he wants ballots for a specified time frame or only for a particular election. If the voter's address changes during the calendar year, the voter needs to complete and submit a new FPCA form. UOCAVA ballots must be ready 45 days before federal elections.

In Iowa, students have the option to vote either at home or in their college town. For more information about student options, go to the Secretary of State's College Voter Information page.

If you are currently a registered voter and you moved within Story County, fill out the absentee request form with your new address. This allows us to update your voter registration with your new address. If you are a new registrant in Story County, complete both a voter registration form and an absentee ballot request and submit them to the Auditor's Office.

Yes, however, in order for your vote to be counted, you must send us the original signed request.  You may fax or email a scanned copy of a completed request form. Fax to (515) 382-7221 or email auditorweb@storycountyiowa.gov. Requests must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on the 15th day before an election. The original request document must be postmarked by the request deadline (15 days prior to election) and must be received in the Auditor's Office by the close of polls on Election Day (8 pm). [IA 721 - 21.2(2)]

You can return your ballot by mail (postage is paid) or in person.  Official instructions are included with your ballot.

You may designate someone to return your ballot under the following circumstances:

The designee is a member of your household 

OR

The designee is an immediate family member

OR

You are disabled and you have designated someone to return your ballot

Directions and rules for designating someone to return your ballot are included in the official instructions included with your mailed ballot.

Absentee ballots must be received in the Auditor's Office no later than the close of polls (8:00 p.m. for all elections) on Election Day. Your voted absentee ballot must be returned to the Auditor's Office (not your polling place). If you return your voted ballot by mail, your ballot must be received by the close of polls on Election Day.

You may mail or return in person your absentee ballot to the Auditor's Office with the words "DO NOT WANT--WILL VOTE AT THE POLLS" on the outside envelope. This allows the Auditor's Office to void your absentee ballot request. Or you may surrender your absentee ballot to the precinct officials at your regular polling place. You will then be allowed to vote in the normal manner. If you have been issued an absentee ballot and do not bring it with you when you go to the polls, you will have to vote a provisional ballot.

All absentee ballots remain sealed in their affidavit envelopes until Election Day [NOTE: the Special Board may convene and begin opening envelopes on the Monday before election day if the volume of absentee voting warrants it]. On Election Day, the bipartisan Special Board removes the ballots from the affidavit envelopes and feeds them into a ballot scanner. The results are not tabulated until the polls are closed. For any provisional ballots accepted for counting, members of the Special Board reconvene to examine and count them prior to the canvass of votes.

Yes, IF you do not have an Iowa driver’s license or Iowa non-operator ID. No, if you do have an Iowa driver’s license/non-operator ID that is unexpired or within 90 days past the expiration date. You will use your Iowa DL/ID as your identification to vote. The voter confirmation cards issued to registered voters lacking an Iowa driver’s license/non-operator ID include a Voter ID Card. Voter ID cards must be signed before you enter your polling place. The Voter ID Card also includes a scannable barcode and a four-digit PIN. This PIN is required on any request for an absentee ballot. Other acceptable forms of identification (must be current, valid and contain an expiration date): - Out-of-state driver’s license/non-operator identification card - US passport - US military or veteran’s ID - ID card issued by an employer - Student ID issued by an Iowa high school or college NOTE: Older versions of the Iowa State University ID cards do not have an expiration date and therefore are not valid for this purpose.

The Voter ID PIN is a four-digit number, randomly assigned to each voter. The PIN only prints on the voter confirmation cards sent to those registered voters who do not have either an Iowa driver’s license or Iowa non-operator ID. For voters without an Iowa driver’s license/non-operator ID, the PIN is required information on any absentee ballot request submitted by the voter.  Any registered voter may request a PIN card, but only voters lacking an Iowa DL or non-operator ID card will be automatically sent a PIN card.  State law prohibits County Auditors from mailing PIN cards to registered voters without request.

Registered voters who have a valid Iowa driver's license or Iowa non-operator ID are not issued a voter confirmation card with a PIN.  These voters may request a PIN card by contacting the Auditor's Office.

One of five (5) designations will appear on your voter confirmation card in the party area (upper left corner under date of birth): No Party, Democrat, Republican, Iowa Green, or Libertarian 

NOTE: The Libertarian Party and the Iowa Green Party are legally termed a "political organizations" and do not hold a primaries.  Only the Democratic and Republican parties have party status in Iowa.

One is your polling place for federal elections, and one is your polling place for the regular city-school elections. These may be the same or they may be different.  For any election, always check the polling place list for that particular election as temporary polling locations may be in use.

A Climate Action Plan is a strategic document that outlines how an organization or government will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change. It typically includes emissions data, reduction targets, strategies for mitigation, and recommendations to build long-term climate resilience.

The Plan allows Story County to understand and reduce emissions from its own operations (such as buildings, vehicles, and equipment) while ensuring public services remain reliable, efficient, and cost-effective as climate risks increase. It’s a proactive step by focusing on actions that are both environmentally responsible and cost-effective, using county funds wisely to reduce long-term risks and costs.

The CAP assesses current greenhouse gas emissions (using 2020 as a baseline), identifies climate-related risks, and proposes strategies to reduce emissions and improve the County’s resilience through 2050. It focuses exclusively on government operations, not private businesses, landowners, or households.

The scope includes all County-run buildings and facilities, water and waste, vehicle fleets, employee commute, and non-fleet equipment such as construction and landscaping machinery.

While the plan focuses on internal government operations, it helps ensure that essential County services, like emergency response, road maintenance, and public health, remain effective and resilient in the face of climate-related disruptions.

Greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, trap heat in the atmosphere. Reducing these emissions is essential to slowing the pace of climate change and minimizing its effects on infrastructure, public health, and local economies.

While this CAP is focused on internal operations, Story County is committed to public transparency and communication. Direct input from the public is being solicited through a series of meetings as well as a task prioritization survey. The County will offer regular updates throughout the plan development process and as recommendations are implemented.