Illa Earnest one of two on City Council ballot

WASHINGTON - Two individuals are running for the open City Council position in Washington.

A city council position opened in January after Brendan DeLong resigned to be fire chief.

Illa Earnest and Haleigh Brockman are running for the Ward 3 position.

Ward 3 is located south of East Washington Street and east of South Third Avenue. Residents can check the ward bounties map on the city website at washingtoniowa.gov to verify if they qualify to vote in the election.

The election will take place March 2.

The deadline to preregister is Feb, 19 at 5 p.m.

Alternatively, any person who is eligible to vote may register in person on Election Day by completing a voter registration application, making a written oath and providing proof of both identity and residence. However, registration on or before Feb. 19 is encouraged to avoid delays at the polling place.

Residents of Ward 3 may register at the county Auditor's Office at the courthouse in Washington or any driver's license station. Online registration is available through the Electronic Voter Registration link at co.washington.ia.us.

Absentee voting may be done in person at the Washington County Auditor's Office by 5 p.m. March 1.

Alternatively, a ballot can be mailed to a voter if they fill out and submit a request form.

The ballot request form may be obtained from the Washington County Auditor's Office or the following websites: co.washington.ia.us or sos.iowa.gov.

If requesting a ballot by mail, the signed request may be delivered or mailed to the Washington County Auditor, Box 889, Washington, IA 52353, and must be received in the Auditor's Office no later than 5 p.m. on Feb. 19.

Auditor's Office hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Feb. 19 and Feb. 26.