Early-bird voters line the block in Des Moines

About 400 people cast ballots during the first three hours of Wednesday's early voting launch at Polk County's election office, officials from the auditor's office tell Axios.

State of play: Iowa's early, in-person absentee voting continues at county auditor offices until Nov. 4, the day before the election. Registration can be done on-site.

Zoom in: Polk's first satellite voting locations for the general election open Thursday at Park Fair Mall and Grimes Public Library, 10am-4pm.

• Multiple other one-day sites are scheduled in the coming weeks.

👀 What we're watching: Registered voters may request absentee ballots be sent to them by mail until Oct. 21 at 5pm.

• Ballots must be returned by mail (postmarks don't count) — or in person at the election office — by 8pm on election night.