GET READY
TO VOTE
IN IOWA
Pre-Registration Deadline: October 19, 2026 by 5:00 p.m.
Absentee Ballot Request Deadline: October 19, 2026.
In-Person Absentee Voting: October 14 – November 2, 2026
Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
Voting on Election Day
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On Election Day, vote at your assigned precinct polling place. Find your polling location using the Find My Polling Place tool or by contacting your county auditor.
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Polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Election Day. If you are in line by 8:00 p.m., you are entitled to cast your ballot.
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Voter Registration
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The pre-registration deadline is 5:00 p.m., Monday, October 19, 2026. To pre-register, complete a voter registration form and return it to your county auditor's office.
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Register online through the Iowa Department of Transportation website (requires an Iowa driver's license or non-operator ID).
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Election Day Registration is available. If you miss the pre-registration deadline, you can register to vote on Election Day at your precinct polling place. You must show a valid photo ID and proof of residency in your precinct (such as a utility bill, bank statement, lease, paycheck, or other government document showing your current name and address, dated within 45 days).
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Voters who move to a different county may register on Election Day at their new county's polling place. Voters who move within the same county may update their address at the polls on Election Day with proof of identity and residence.
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Check your registration status at Am I Registered to Vote? on the Iowa Secretary of State's website.
What to Bring to the Polls
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Iowa requires voters to show a valid photo ID when voting in person (at the polls or absentee in person). Acceptable forms of photo ID include:
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Iowa Driver's License
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Iowa Non-Operator ID
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Iowa Voter Identification Card (free, issued automatically by your county auditor)
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U.S. Military ID or Veteran ID
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U.S. Passport
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Tribal ID Card or Document
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Don't have an Iowa ID? Any registered voter who does not have an Iowa driver's license or non-operator ID is issued a free Iowa Voter ID Card automatically by mail. Any voter may also request an Iowa Voter ID Card from their county auditor. You can also request one from your county auditor's office at any time. Voters who arrive on Election Day without a valid ID may cast a provisional ballot and provide ID to their county auditor by the time of the county canvass (Monday after the election for general elections). For full Voter ID details, visit the Iowa Voter ID FAQ.
How to Vote Early (Absentee)
Iowa allows any registered voter to vote absentee. Absentee voting can be done by mail or in person at your county auditor's office before Election Day.
Voting Absentee by Mail:
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Submit a written Absentee Ballot Request Form to your county auditor. The request must be received by the county auditor by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, October 19, 2026.
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Your request form must include your name, date of birth, Iowa residential address, Voter Verification Number (Iowa Driver's License or Non-Operator ID number, or your 4-digit Voter PIN from your Iowa Voter ID Card), the election name or date, and your signature.
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After receiving your request, your county auditor will mail you a ballot with instructions and a postage-paid return envelope.
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Your completed absentee ballot must be received by your county auditor's office by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day, November 3, 2026. It cannot be delivered to your polling place — only to the county auditor's office.
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You may also designate an immediate family member or household member to return your ballot for you, or request that option if you are disabled.
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If you have not yet returned your absentee ballot on Election Day, you can deliver it to the county auditor's office, surrender it at your polling place and vote a regular ballot, or vote a provisional ballot at the polls.
Voting Absentee in Person:
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In-person absentee voting at your county auditor's office begins Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
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The last day to vote absentee in person is Monday, November 2, 2026. In-person absentee voting is not available at the auditor's office on Election Day itself.
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You must show a valid photo ID to vote absentee in person at the county auditor's office.
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Track your absentee ballot status at Track My Absentee Ballot.