The League of Women Voters of Iowa believes voting is a right, not a privilege. We support free, fair and accessible elections, and believe that no person or group should face legal, economic or administrative discrimination. We oppose any form of voting restrictions, while continuing the dialogue to improve Iowa’s voting process.
Important Dates
October 16: ABSENTEE VOTING BEGINS! First day absentee ballots can be mailed out; first day of in-person absentee voting.
October 21: LAST CALL FOR PRE-VOTING! Pre-voter registration deadline; deadline to request an absentee ballot to be mailed: both by 5 p.m.
November 4: LAST DAY OF IN-PERSON ABSENTEE VOTING! Last day of in-person absentee voting.
November 5: ELECTION DAY! Election Day, polls open 7 a.m.–8 p.m.; absentee ballot must be received by county auditors by 8 p.m.
Two Constitutional Amendments on the ballot in 2024*
Iowa Amendment 1, the Require Citizenship to Vote in Elections and Allow 17-Year-Olds to Vote in Primaries Amendment, is on the ballot in Iowa as a legislatively referred constitutional amendment on November 5, 2024.[1]
A “yes” vote supports prohibiting local governments from allowing noncitizens to vote by providing in the state constitution that only a citizen of the U.S., rather than every citizen of the U.S., can vote; and supports allowing 17-year-olds who will be 18 by the general election to vote in primary elections.
A “no” vote opposes prohibiting local governments from allowing noncitizens to vote, thereby maintaining state constitutional language that says every citizen of the U.S., rather than only a citizen of the U.S., can vote; and opposes adding to the state constitution the existing state law allowing 17-year-olds who will be 18 by the general election to vote in primary elections.
Iowa Amendment 2, the Gubernatorial Succession Amendment, is on the ballot in Iowa as a legislatively referred constitutional amendment on November 5, 2024.[1]
A “yes” vote supports providing that if the governor dies, resigns, or is removed from office, the lieutenant governor would assume the office of governor for the remainder of the term, thereby creating a vacancy in the office of lieutenant governor and allowing the new governor to appoint a new lieutenant governor.
A “no” vote opposes amending the state constitution to provide for a system of gubernatorial succession, thereby maintaining current law in which the lieutenant governor may become responsible for fulfilling the duties and assumes the powers of the governor, but does not have the authority to appoint a new lieutenant governor.
*Source: Ballotpedia
Register to Vote
Click here to check your voter registration status or to register to vote.
Where and How to Vote
Once a person has registered to vote, they will be notified by mail giving them the name of the precinct in which they live. Prior to an election, information and notices are often published in local newspapers naming the polling place for each election precinct, the date of the upcoming election, and the hours during which the polls will be open. The Iowa Secretary of State and County Auditors also have this information available online.
Click here to find your polling place.
Voter ID
Beginning in 2018, an acceptable ID card must be presented when voting. Valid forms of identification include:
- Iowa Driver’s License (not expired more than 90 days)
- Iowa Non-Operator ID (not expired more than 90 days)
- U.S. Passport (not expired)
- U.S. Military ID or Veteran ID (not expired)
- Iowa Voter Identification Card (must be signed)
- Tribal ID Card/Document (must be signed, with photo, not expired)
Other options may be available for those who do not have one of the acceptable forms of identification. Go to Voter Ready Iowa to learn more about the Voter ID requirement for voting.
Absentee Voting
Persons who will be away on election day, or who wish to vote early, may vote absentee. A registered voter may apply in writing to the County Auditor to receive an absentee ballot. The voter may then vote either by mail or in person (at the auditor’s office or at a satellite voting location) up to the applicable deadline before the election. Please note that in order to vote absentee before an election, a voter must already be registered to vote. Find more details about absentee voting here.
General Election Day
Held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of each even-numbered year.
Primary Election Day
Held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in June of each even-numbered year for the members of political parties to nominate candidates for the general election ballot. Candidates for federal, statewide, and legislative offices file their nomination petitions with the Iowa Secretary of State. Nomination petitions for county and township offices are filed with the County Auditor in the appropriate county. Click here for your County Auditor’s information.
City and School Election Day
Held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of each odd-numbered year. Some cities hold primary elections four weeks before the regular election, and some cities hold runoff elections four weeks after the regular city election.
Learn About the Candidates
The League of Women Voters is nonpartisan and does not endorse candidates or parties. You may find nonpartisan information on individual candidates at VOTE411.org.