Iowa Precinct Election Official Certification Program -- Program Overview

Program Overview

The Precinct Election Official Certification Program evolved from the success of the SEAT (State Election Adminsitrators Training) program. County auditors and Secretary of State staff determined it was important to offer a comprehensive statewide training for front-line precinct election officials. The initial goal of this voluntary program was to have at least one certified Precinct Election Official (PEO) in each of Iowa's nearly 1,800 precincts by November 2008. It is hoped that many counties will certify two or more officials for each precinct. This program has been developed by the SEAT Curriculum Subcommittee in conjunction with the Secretary of State's Office and Iowa State University Extension.

Iowa State University Extension staff will be conducting training sessions statewide during 2007 and 2008.

The Precinct Election Official Certification Program is offered in two ways, either in-person or online.

In-person

Three two-hour sessions to complete the process.
Includes a testing component which can be done at the last session, taken home and returned to the county, or done via the on-line system.
ISU Extension will have individuals state-wide that facilitate the sessions.
Counties may opt to facilitate the sessions, if they have been through the facilitation training session.

On-line

Includes the same content as the in-person delivery method.
Requires low bandwidth and can be used with any type of internet connection.
Highly interactive with frequent questions.
Includes on-line testing.

Click here for map of counties where training was conducted in 2006 and 2007