How to vote in my state
Iowa
Last updated March 18, 2022
Upcoming Election Dates and Registration Deadlines
June 7, 2022
Iowa Primary Election
Voter Registration Deadline
- Postmarked: May 23, 2022
- In-person request by: June 7, 2022
- Online request by: May 23, 2022
Absentee Request Deadline
- Received: no later than 5:00 p.m. 15 days before the election
Completed Absentee Ballot Return Deadline
- Postmarked: June 7, 2022
- In-person received: Hand deliver your ballot to your county auditor during business hours or any time up until June 7, 2022 at 8 PM CST.
- Post received: June 7, 2022
Early Voting: Starts May 18, 2022
November 8, 2022
Iowa General Election
Voter Registration Deadline
- Postmarked: October 24, 2022
- In-person request by: October 24, 2022
- Online request by: October 24, 2022
Absentee Request Deadline
- Received: no later than 5:00 p.m. 15 days before the election
Completed Absentee Ballot Return Deadline
- Postmarked: November 8, 2022
- In-person received: Hand deliver your ballot to your county auditor during business hours or any time up until November 8, 2022 at 8 PM CST.
- Post received: November 8, 2022
Early Voting: Starts October 19, 2022
Helpful Resources
Register
to vote
Check if you are registered
What's on your
ballot
Absentee Voting
No excuse is needed to vote absentee in Iowa. Iowa will mail an absentee ballot request form to every registered voter ahead of the June 2 primary, and the absentee ballot request period for that election has been extended through May 22. As reported here, many Iowa counties will have fewer in-person polling places, so voters are encouraged to vote by mail.
Your absentee ballot must be postmarked the day before Election Day or earlier, and received no later than the Monday following Election Day. Double-check the instructions mailed to you in the absentee ballot.
See details of absentee voting and download the application here
Early Voting
You may vote early in your county auditor’s office before Election Day. Ballots will be available 40 days before the election or as soon as they are ready, ending the day before Election Day.
What to Expect
on Election Day
On Election Day, polls are open from 7 AM to 9 PM.
Voter ID Requirements
You do not need a photo ID when you vote, except you may be asked to show ID if:
- You registered to vote by mail after January 1, 2003, and have never voted in a Primary or General election in your county,
- You have moved from where you are registered to vote,
- Your right to vote has been challenged,
- The precinct election officials do not know you.
If asked to show ID, you may use any valid and current photo ID or one of the following:
- Current utility bill (including cell phone bill),
- Current bank statement,
- Current paycheck or government check, or
- Other current government document.
Language Access
Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act requires certain jurisdictions to provide in-language voting materials in areas with a significant number of limited English proficient voters.
Section 208
Section 208 of the Voting Rights Act states that, “Any voter who requires assistance to vote by reason of blindness, disability, or inability to read or write may be given assistance by a person of the voter’s choice, other than the voter’s employer or agent of the employer or office or agent of the voter’s union.”
It is your right to bring your own interpreter to the polls, if you so choose.
Have questions or need help voting?
Call 1-888-API-VOTE (1-888-274-8683).
Bilingual assistance is available in English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Urdu, Hindi, and Bengali. Click here for more information.
