Iowa

Land Acknowledgement

Iowa is the home of the Sac and Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa. It is also the traditional homeland of many tribes.

Overview

You can register to vote by mail, online, or in person. The deadline to register to vote online or by mail is October 24. Iowa allows in person registration up to and including Election Day. It is recommended that you use a photo ID to vote, but you do not need one.

Key Dates

  • October 19 - Early voting begins

  • October 24 - Deadline to register to vote by mail and online

  • October 24 - Deadline to request a mail-in ballot

  • November 7 - Early voting ends

  • November 8 - Election Day

Contacts

  • County Auditor

  • Secretary of State: (888) 767-8683 or email sos@sos.iowa.gov

  • Governor’s Office: (515) 281-5211

Iowa Voting Guide

Note: The information below is not legal advice on how to vote. Because voting information is changing rapidly during this election, make sure you check the links provided and check with your state about deadlines and voting specifics.

Registering to Vote

  • The voter registration deadline is October 24 if registering by mail or online. You can register to vote in person up to an on Election Day.

  • No.

  • To register to vote online, you will need to provide your Iowa driver's license or State ID, your date of birth, and the last five digits of your Social Security Number. To register to vote by mail or in person, you do not need to provide an ID number. You do need to provide an address. If you do not have a street address, you can describe where you reside. You can also provide a mailing address if you receive mail at an address different from where you live.

  • To register to vote online, you will need to provide your Iowa driver's license or State ID, your date of birth, and the last five digits of your Social Security Number. To register to vote by mail or in person, you do not need to provide an ID number. You do need to provide an address. If you do not have a street address, you can describe where you reside. You can also provide a mailing address if you receive mail at an address different from where you live.

  • Contact your County Auditor to check your address, which you can find here. You can also contact your Secretary of State at (888) 767-8683 or email sos@sos.iowa.gov

  • Contact your County Auditor to check your address, which you can find here. You can also contact your Secretary of State at (888) 767-8683 or email sos@sos.iowa.gov

  • You do not need an ID if registering to vote by mail or in person. However, you can get a State ID here.

  • Yes. If you have an Iowa driver's license OR Iowa ID number, AND a Social Security Number, you can register to vote online here.

  • No.

  • Yes. You can register to vote in person at your County Auditor's office. Find your County Auditor's address here.

  • Yes. You can register to vote by mail by downloading this form, filling it out and mailing it to your County Auditor. Find their address here.

  • Maybe. If you have not been convicted of a felony, you can register to vote. If you have been convicted of a felony, you may be able to register to vote. Use this link to determine your eligibility. You can also call the Governor's office at (515) 281-5211.

  • If you have specific questions about registering to vote contact your County Auditor, which you can find here. You can also contact your Secretary of State at (888) 767-8683 or email sos@sos.iowa.gov

  • The voter registration deadline is October 24 if registering by mail or online. The voter registration deadline for in person registration is November 8.

  • Yes, under federal law you can assist someone in registering to vote if they do not speak English well, if they have trouble reading or writing, or if they have a disability.

Checking & Updating Voter Registration

  • You can check your voter registration online here.

  • You can call your County Auditor to check your voter registration. Find your County Auditor here.

  • If you have moved or changed your name, you have to update your voter registration by filling out another voter registration application and noting your old and new information. This can be done online here or by mailing in or dropping off this application to your County Auditor, which can be found here.

  • Maybe. Some states regularly remove voters from voting lists that have not voted in recent elections or have not responded to letters from the state asking for the voter to confirm their address. You should confirm that you are still registered to vote here.

Voting by Mail/Absentee/Ballot Drop-Off

  • You can request a mail-in ballot without providing a reason by completing the request form and mailing it or dropping if off to your County Auditor's office. The deadline to request a mail-in ballot is October 24. Ballots must be returned by November 8.

  • Yes. Please check that you have filled out all required fields and signed your ballot. USPS recommends you mail in your ballot a week before the deadline to ensure your ballot is received on time. However, please factor in your personal experience with mail delivery times to and from your place of residence or where you drop off your ballot.

  • You can request a mail-in ballot by filling out this form and mailing or dropping it off at your County Auditor's office. Find their office here.

  • No.

  • Yes.

  • The deadline for requesting a mail-in ballot is October 24, but you should request your ballot as soon as possible to give time to receive and return the ballot.

  • Iowa will start sending ballots out October 19.

  • You can have your ballot sent to any address of your choosing when filling out your ballot request.

  • No.

  • Your ballot must be received by November 8 at 8PM. USPS recommends you mail in your absentee ballot one week prior to the state deadline, but mail in your ballot as soon as possible.

  • Yes. You can return your ballot to your County Auditor's office, which you can find here. You can also return your ballot to your polling place.

  • Yes. You may designate someone to return your ballot for you. The person you designate must be either an immediate family member, a member or your household, OR anyone if you are disabled. Your designee must return the ballot within 72 hours of getting it. A special precinct official can also return your ballot for you.

  • No.

  • No.

  • Yes. If your ballot is incomplete or absent, you will be notified within 24 hours. You may vote a replacement ballot until the day before Election Day.

  • You can track your ballot here.

  • You can contact your County Auditor with issues about your mail-in ballot. Find them here.

Voting In-Person

  • You can find your polling place here.

  • No.

  • Yes. Early voting is available from October 19 through November 7.

  • You do not need a photo ID to vote. Iowa recommends that you bring a valid form of photo ID, including: Iowa driver's license; Iowa State ID; U.S. passport; U.S. Military ID or Veteran ID; Iowa Voter ID PIN card; Tribal ID Card/Document. If your ID does not have your address on it, you will also need to provide proof of residence, in paper or electronic format, including: residential lease; utility bill or cell phone bill; bank statement; paycheck; government check or other government document; property tax statement. If you cannot prove who you are and where you live with the above documents, a registered voter from your precinct may attest for you. You will both need to sign an oath swearing that you are who you say you are.

  • You do not need an ID to vote. Additionally, all voters who do not list a driver's license or non-operator's license number will automatically be mailed a Iowa Voter ID PIN card. Alternatively, you can get a non-operator's ID card here.

  • Yes.

  • Yes. Under federal law (Section 208 of the Voting Rights Act), you are entitled to bring anyone you trust, such as a friend, family member, or neighbor, to the polling place AND into the polling booth to assist with voting. However, that person may not be your employer, running in the election, or a representative of your labor union. The person giving assistance also may not tell the voter how to vote.

  • If you have questions about voting in person, contact your County Auditor, which you can find here. You can also contact your Secretary of State at (888) 767-8683 or email sos@sos.iowa.gov