Molly Longman

mlongman@dmreg.com

At age 103, Ruline Steininger knows that the early bird gets the worm. That's why the Pleasant Hill resident decked out her walker with a "Hillary" sign and voted early Thursday, the first day of in-person voting in Iowa.

CBS News reports that Steininger was escorted from Clinton's rally in Des Moines straight to the nearest polling place, where she cast her ballot for Clinton in her 20th presidential election.

“I am 103," She told CBS News. "That is the reason I voted early... I am not taking any chances.”

Iowa voters can return ballots by mail or vote in person at their county election office. Voting early in Des Moines is as easy as showing up at the Polk County Election Office, 120 Second Ave. in downtown Des Moines between 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays. The office will be open during those hours on the Saturdays of Oct. 29 and Nov. 5 as well.

Steininger told the Register in an interview last January that she considers Clinton one of the best candidates she's ever seen.

"I think she's the best qualified. She has so much experience," Steininger said.

A retired schoolteacher who spent much of her life in Dubuque, Steininger has been voting for Democrats in every presidential election since she cast her ballot for Franklin D. Roosevelt. And her longevity in life and politics hasn't gone unnoticed.

Clinton chatted with Steininger backstage this week before the Des Moines rally, giving her a shout out on stage.

"It’s a great honor to have Ruline supporting me," Clinton said to the the crowd gathered in Cowles Commons.

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Steininger has backed Clinton since the 2008 Democratic caucuses and considers voting for her in the election a major milestone, according to CNN. Her next goal is to see Clinton make history on Nov. 8.

During the brief backstage meeting with Clinton, CNN reports that Steininger told the Democratic nominee: "We're going to put you in the White House."

Early voting in Polk County

Polk County voters can vote early in person at the Polk County Election Office, 120 Second Ave. in downtown Des Moines. The office is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and will be open during those hours on the Saturdays of Oct. 29 and Nov. 5 as well.

In addition, satellite voting sites will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 17 through Oct. 29 at the following locations: