Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate is urging residents to avoid gathering at polling places for the June 2 primary election and instead vote by mail. The absentee voting period for mailed primary ballots begins Thursday (4/23).  Pate is sending absentee ballot request forms to every active registered voter in the state. The form should arrive in residents’ mailboxes next week and will include pre-paid postage for returning it to county auditors’ offices. Requests must be received by 5 p.m. on May 22.