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1. Why do I have to register to vote?

Voter registration determines which of the candidates and issues each voter is eligible to vote on. It also prevents people from voting at more than one polling location which protects the integrity of the election.

2. Does it cost anything to register to vote?

No, there is no fee to register to vote.

3. Where can I register to vote?

Voter registration forms are available from many sources, including: your county auditor, secretary of state's office, public libraries, DHS and DOT offices and political party offices. Voter Registration Form

4. More Voter Registration FAQ's

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5. What information do I provide on the voter registration form?

Iowa law requires the following information to be provided:

Date of birth (month, day, year)

Sex (female or male)

Full name (same as it appears on your ID)

Address where you live

Mailing address, if different from where you live

Signature and the current date

Iowa Driver's License number or non-operator ID number or if you do not have a Driver's License #, the last four digits of your Social Security # TIP: If your driver's license is from another state, use the last 4 digits of your SS#.

The 2 boxes on the form declaring you are a U.S. Citizen and you will be 18 years old on election day must be checked

Description of location of residence (only if you have no street address)

Previous voter registration information

Information requested, but not required includes:

County

Political party affiliation (required information if voting in a primary election)

School district

Telephone number

6. Do I need to provide identification when I register to vote?

If you register before the voter registration deadline, you will not be required to show proof of residence and identity.

The voter registration deadline is 10 days before general and primary elections and 11 days before all other elections.

As of January 1, 2008, Iowa law allows you to register to vote on Election Day at the polling place for the precinct you currently live in. After showing proper identification you may register and vote at the precinct the same day.

7. What are the acceptable forms of ID?

If you register to vote at the polls on Election Day you will be required to show proof of residence and proof of identity. The best form of ID is a valid Iowa driver's license with current address. All forms of photo ID must be current, valid and contain an expiration date.

If your Iowa driver's license has an old address on it, you can use the license as proof of identity and use one of the following as proof of residence if it contains your current address:

Residential lease

Property tax statement

Utility bill

Bank statement

Paycheck

Government check

Other government document

If you do not have an Iowa driver's license, you can provide one of the following as proof of identity if it contains your photo:

An out-of-state driver's license

Non-driver identification card

US passport

US military ID

ID card issued by employer

Student ID issued by Iowa high school or college

8. Will I have to renew my registration?

Your registration is permanent. However, you must re-register to vote each time you change your name, address, or any other information.

9. When I am registered to vote, will my name be provided to others?

Local election officials and candidates may obtain a voter mailing list. However the list may not be used for commercial purposes.

10. What is absentee voting?

Voters who cannot go to the polls on election day may vote before election day by absentee ballot. You may request an absentee ballot by mailing the Absentee Ballot Request form to your county auditor. Send the request form as soon as you know that you need an absentee ballot for an election. Instructions for voting and returning your absentee ballot will come with the ballot. Absentee Ballot Request Form

11. If I need help, who should I contact?

Voters who need assistance or have questions may contact their local county auditor or the Secretary of State's Office.

Secretary of State Office

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1. What is being done about the water quality at Big Hollow Lake?

Learn more about water quality on Big Hollow Lake and what's being done to improve it on our Big Hollow Water Quality Project page.

2. How can I donate to a park or project?

Many of our parks and projects are made possible by contributions from the community. For more information on how to donate, contact us or visit our Donate page.

3. Can I reserve a campsite?

About half of the sites at Big Hollow are reservable via www.mycountyparks.com. All other campsites are walk-up only.

4. Can I reserve a shelter house?

Yes. We allow reservations at many of our shelter houses. You can fill out an online reservation application via mycountyparks.com.

Facilities Page

5. Does my carry permit allow me to shoot at the Big Hollow range?

No. Anyone wishing to use the Big Hollow Shooting Range must take our shooting range certification course and pay the annual fee.

6. How do I request permission to host a special event at a DMCC facility?

Fill out the Special Event Application form Here.

Special Event Application

7. I found a baby animal, what do I do?

If you find an animal baby that appears to be on its own, don’t worry. Generally, one of its parents is nearby, watching.

They’re teaching their offspring to be independent, and in the case of danger, some animal parents will take off in order to create a distraction away from their young.

Many people “rescue” wildlife babies they believe to be abandoned. But when you take that “orphaned” rabbit out of the nest or that raccoon out of the tree, you’re taking that baby away from its parents, its natural setting and a chance to live in the wild. Many times, taking an animal out of the wild greatly reduces its chances of survival.

In most cases, these wildlife babies perish soon after capture. If an animal does survive the initial trauma of being captured and confined, it often succumbs more slowly to pneumonia, other diseases or malnutrition.

However, if you know for a fact that the babies’ parent has died, or if it’s clear the animal is injured, a wildlife rehabilitator can help. Rehabilitators receive extensive training, including an apprenticeship, to learn how to care for animals and reintroduce them to the wild. They know when to feed them, how to feed them, how to treat injuries and they have the space and equipment to house the animals.

Do not try to take the animal in yourself – not only could it present a safety risk to both you and the animal – it’s also illegal, as wild mammals are protected by state law and wild birds are protected by state and federal law.

If there is not a licensed wildlife rehabilitator near you, contact your local conservation officer or animal control officer. In Des Moines County, the Iowa DNR Conservation Officer can be reached at (319) 759-0751.

Contact information for licensed Iowa wildlife rehabilitators

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1. Where do I go to find more information on Inmate Deposits?

This information can be found on the Inmate Deposits Website. Inmate Deposits Website

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1. How do I request a new address or address change?

A user can submit a form online requesting a new address or an address change.

2. What is E911?

E911 stands for Enhanced 9-1-1 which allows emergency services to locate an individual when the user contacts 911. This service is used for both land lines and mobile devices. Locating a mobile user in an emergency response offers a reference of where an individual is within 50 to 300 meters. More information can be found here.

3. E911: More Information

• 911 vs E911
  
• Wireless 911 Services
  
• Tips for Communicating in an Emergency
  
• Iowa Statewide Interoperable Communications System Board
  

4. Cellular Phone Companies E911 FAQs and Compliances

• Verizon: E911 Compliance FAQs
  
• US Cellular: E911 FAQs
  
• Sprint: E911
  
• AT&T: E911 FAQs
  

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1. I have a pet, what do I need to do to be prepared for an emergency?

You can find a lot of good information at: http://www.ready.gov/animals

2. We have a member of our family who has acess and functional needs, what special considerations do we need to know?

The FEMA web site has a lot good information. Here is the link: http://www.ready.gov/individuals-access-functional

3. My folks are senior citizens, how can they prepare for emergencies?

Both you and your parents should check out: http://www.ready.gov/seniors

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1. What is GIS?

GIS stands for Geographic Information System that integrates hardware, software, and spatial data to manage, edit, and analyze geographic information. For more information can be found here.

2. The GIS Website is not displaying properly

If you are using Internet Explorer, click the "Compatibility" button. This usually solves the majority of problems users are having. If this does not resolve your issue, click on the "Help" tab, then Frequently Asked Questions for answers to specific issues. If you require assistance, please contact the GIS Department.

3. How often is the GIS website updated?

The GIS website is updated on a weekly basis, usually at the end of the week. The Assessor Information website is updated on a daily basis.

4. What map sizes are available for printing?

The GIS department can print maps on paper that range from 8.5"x11" to 42"x60" in a variety of paper formats. For more information regarding pricing, visit our Data and Pricing Information page.

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1. What is a virus?

A virus is a computer program that can copy itself and spread to other computers without the knowledge of the user. Some viruses attach to program files, so when the infected file runs, the virus also runs. Other viruses sit in a computer's memory and infect files as the computer opens or modifies them.

2. What is a worm?

A worm is a self-replicating computer programs that uses a network to send itself to other computers. Worms differ from viruses because they are stand-alone programs that do not attach themselves to other files or programs. A worm can spread itself automatically (without user intervention) over the network from one computer to the next, by taking advantage of automatic file sending and receiving features found on many computers.

3. What is a Trojan horse?

A Trojan horse is a destructive program masquerading as a harmless computer program. The purpose of most Trojan horses is to get access to your computer from another location. Trojan horses are often found attached to programs you receive in e-mail or download from the Internet.

4. More IT FAQ's

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5. What is spyware?

Spyware is software that is surreptitiously installed on a computer to gather information on individuals or organizations without their knowledge.

6. Why should I protect my Computer?

If you have a computer that connects to the internet then protecting your computer is crucial. Your computer is not only prone to malware and theft of information, but can also be used for criminal or spamming purposes by hackers. Hackers can use your computer to launch cyber attacks, carry out criminal activities and send spam.

7. What is a botnet?

A botnet is a collection of computers, connected to the internet, that interact to accomplish some distributed task. Although such a collection of computers can be used for useful and constructive applications, the term botnet typically refers to such a system designed and used for illegal purposes. Such systems are composed of compromised machines that are assimilated without their owner's knowledge. The compromised machines are referred to as drones or zombies, the malicious software running on them as 'bot'.

8. What does encryption mean?

Encryption is the scrambling of data (putting it in code) so it becomes unreadable. Only persons with special knowledge (called the key) can read the encrypted data. Encryption may be used to limit access to confidential or sensitive information stored or transmitted by computers.

9. What is a network intrusion?

Network intrusion occurs when an unauthorized user hacks into a computer network. Network intrusions may involve destruction of records/data, alteration of information, viewing or downloading confidential or sensitive information.

10. What does a firewall do?

A firewall prevents computers on your network from communicating directly with external computer systems or networks. A firewall can be either software, hardware, or a combination of the two, which analyzes information and rejects it if it does not conform to pre-configured rules.

11. What is malicious code?

Malicious code is a virus, worm, Trojan horse or other computer program that surreptitiously infects a computer.

12. What is a "sniffer?"

A sniffer is a software program that monitors network traffic. Hackers use sniffers to capture data transmitted within your network.

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1. How do I contact a city/county department?

Visit the Staff Directory to find all department and staff contact information.

2. Where can I find the answers to my frequently asked questions?

Use the FAQs module to easily find answers to the questions you ask the most.

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1. What is needed when applying for a passport?

Evidence of Citizenship, Two Identical Passport Photos, Personal Identification, Payment and a Completed Application.

Detail for Passport application requirements

2. Do minors applying for passports need to be present?

Each minor child that is applying for a passport shall appear in person.

3. How do I get my passport in a hurry?

Expedited Service allows you to rush your passport application. It requires the following:

Cost, in addition to regular application fees, is $60 per application, payable to the U.S. Department of State plus overnight delivery costs

Two-way overnight delivery is strongly suggested

If you mail in - clearly mark Expedited on the envelope

Anyone may request expedited service for any type of application (ie. first-time applications, renewals, amendments of existing passports, etc.)

4. More Passport FAQ's

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5. What is the new Passport Card & how does it differ from the Passport Book?

U.S. citizens may apply for a U.S. Passport Card. The passport card will facilitate entry and expedite document processing at U.S. land and sea ports-of-entry when arriving from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda.

The card may not be used to travel by air. Difference between passport card and passport book