Palo Alto County Iowa

Welcome to the Palo Alto County website!

Palo Alto County is located in the northwest region of the state of Iowa. The county has a total area of 569 square miles that contain a variety of lakes including Five Island Lake, Lost Island Lake, Rush Lake, and Silver Lake. Communities include Ayrshire, Curlew, Cylinder, Emmetsburg, Graettinger, Mallard, Rodman, Ruthven and West Bend.

The population of Palo Alto County is 8,996 (according to the 2020 census). County business is done at the county seat in Emmetsburg. Most offices are located at the historic 1880s courthouse located downtown near the business district.

PALO ALTO COUNTY EARLY VOTING FOR THE 2022 GENERAL ELECTION

Tuesday, August 30th: First Day Auditor’s Office can accept absentee ballot request forms for mailed absentee ballots
Wednesday, October 19th: First day absentee ballots can be mailed AND first day in-person early voting is allowed by state law
Monday, October 24th at 5:00 p.m.: Voter pre-registration deadline AND deadline to request mailed ballot. In person absentee voting and Election Day Registration still available after this deadline
Saturday, November 5th: Auditor’s Office open from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. for Absentee Voting
Monday, November 7th: Last day for in-person Absentee voting at the Auditor’s Office
Tuesday, November 8th: All Absentee ballots must arrive at the Auditor’s Office before the polls close at 8:00 p.m.

CONTACT THE AUDITOR’S OFFICE WITH ANY QUESTIONS AT 712-852-2924