How to vote in Iowa

Registration deadlines, ID, mail and early voting in Iowa, in plain English, with the official links. The Iowa Secretary of State, Elections is the final word on every rule.

Check your registration Register online Official election office
Register online Yes: 15 days before Election Day (the pre-registration deadline)
Register by mail Postmarked no later than 15 days before Election Day, or received by the county auditor by 5 p.m. that day
Register in person 5 p.m. 15 days before Election Day at the county auditor's office; after that, register at your polling place on Election Day
Same-day registration Yes: register and vote at your correct polling place on Election Day with proof of identity and residence
Voter ID ID is required at the polls and for in-person absentee voting (Iowa driver's license or non-operator ID, Iowa voter ID card, U.S. passport, military or veteran ID, or tribal ID).
Voting by mail No-excuse absentee voting by mail; the request must reach the county auditor by 5 p.m. 15 days before the election, and the ballot must arrive by 8 p.m. on Election Day.
Early voting In-person absentee voting at the county auditor's office (and satellite stations) starting up to 20 days before Election Day.
Statewide elections in 2027 No statewide election; city primary October 5, 2027 (where used), regular city and school election November 2, 2027, and city runoff November 30, 2027.

Checked against the Iowa election office's website on November 8, 2026. Deadlines are for general elections; primaries, runoffs and local elections can differ. Military and overseas voters have their own rules at FVAP.gov.

Official sources

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