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Iowa voter guide

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Select a state from the menu below to learn more about its voting policies.

The policies governing voter participation are enacted and enforced primarily at the state level. These policies, which include voter identification requirements, early voting provisions, online voter registration systems, and more, dictate the conditions under which people cast their ballots in their respective states.

This article includes the following information about voting policies in Iowa:

Click here for more information about election administration in the state, including voter list maintenance policies, provisional ballot rules, post-election auditing practices, and additional election policy context.

For information on elections happening this year, click here.

Do you have questions about your elections? Looking for information about your local election official? Click here to use U.S. Vote Foundation’s election official lookup tool.

Voter registration

Eligibility and registration details

Check your voter registration status here.

To vote in Iowa, one must be a United States citizen, a resident of Iowa, and at least 18 years old by Election Day. A voter that is 17 years old may participate in a primary election if they will be 18 by the time of the next general election. The deadline to register is 15 days prior to the election but registration is permitted on Election Day with proof of identification.Iowans may register online or by completing a form and returning to their county auditor’s office by mail or in person.[1][2]

In-person voting

Poll times

See also: State poll opening and closing times

In Iowa, all polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Central Time. An individual who is in line at the time polls close must be allowed to vote.[3][4]

Voter identification

See also: Voter identification laws by state

Iowa requires voters to present identification while voting. Voters who do not have a valid ID can obtain an Iowa voter ID card for free by mail.[5] According to the secretary of state's website, " Iowa Department of Transportation’s Driver’s License or Non-Operator ID files are automatically mailed an Iowa Voter Identification Card."[5][6]

Voters can present the following forms of identification:

  • Iowa voter ID card
  • Iowa driver’s license
  • Iowa non-operator ID
  • U.S. passport
  • U.S. military ID or veteran ID
  • Tribal ID card/document

Voter who do not have one of the IDs listed above may have another voter attest to their identity, or they may provide a combination of other documents to verify their identity and residence. The following additional documents are acceptable proof of identity:[2]

  • Out-of-state driver's license or non-driver ID card
  • ID card issued by employer
  • Student ID issued by Iowa high school or college
  • Another photo ID that is current, valid, and contains an expiration date

The following documents are acceptable proof of residence:[2]

  • A photo ID from one of the lists above that includes the voter's current address
  • Residential lease
  • Utility bill (including a cell phone bill)
  • Bank statement
  • Paycheck
  • Government check or other government document
  • Property tax statement

Voters without the required identification or another voter to attest to their identity will be offered a provisional ballot.[5]

Early voting

See also: Early voting

Iowa permits early voting. Learn more by visiting this website.

Early voting permits citizens to cast ballots in person at a polling place prior to an election. In states that permit no-excuse early voting, a voter does not have to provide an excuse for being unable to vote on Election Day. States that allow voters to cast no-excuse absentee/mail-in ballots in person are counted as no-excuse early voting states.

Forty-seven states and the District of Columbia permit no-excuse early voting.


Absentee/mail-in voting

See also: Absentee/mail-in voting

All voters are eligible to vote absentee/by-mail in Iowa. There are no special eligibility requirements for voting absentee. To vote absentee/by-mail, a request application must be received by the county auditor between 70 days before the election and 5 p.m. on the 15th day prior to the election. Voters must include one of the following: Iowa driver's license or non-operator ID number, voter ID/verification number, or the four-digit PIN from their voter ID card. Returned absentee ballots must be received by the time polls close on Election Day in order to be counted.[7]


Local election officials

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Do you need information about elections in your area? Are you looking for your local election official? Click here to visit the U.S. Vote Foundation and use their election official lookup tool.

Voting rules for people convicted of a felony

See also: Voting rights for people convicted of a felony

Individuals convicted of a felony regain their right to vote upon completion of their sentence, including prison time, parole, and probation.[8] People convicted of felony homicide do not have their voting rights automatically restored. Instead, they must apply individually for restoration of voting rights by pardon.[8][9]

Voting rights for people convicted of a felony vary from state to state. In the majority of states, people convicted of a felony cannot vote while they are incarcerated but may regain the right to vote upon release from prison or at some point thereafter.[10]


Contact information

Election agencies

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See also: State election agencies

Individuals seeking additional information about election administration in Iowa can contact the following local, state, and federal agencies.

Iowa County Auditor/Commissioner of Elections

Click here for a list

Iowa Secretary of State Office

First Floor, Lucas Building
321 E 12th St
Des Moines, Iowa 50319
Phone: 515-281-0145
Toll free: 1-888-767-8683
Fax: 515-281-4682
Email: sos@sos.iowa.gov
Website: http://sos.iowa.gov/elections/

Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board

Jessie Parker Building
510 E. 12th St, Suite 1A
Des Moines, Iowa 50319
Phone: 515-281-4028
Fax: 515-281-4073
Email: ethicsboard@iowa.gov
Website: https://ethics.iowa.gov

U.S. Election Assistance Commission

633 3rd Street NW, Suite 200
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: 301-563-3919
Toll free: 1-866-747-1471
Email: clearinghouse@eac.gov
Website: https://www.eac.gov


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See also

Elections in Iowa


External links

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Iowa Secretary of State, "Voter Registration," accessed July 21, 2025
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Iowa Secretary of State, "Election Day Registration," accessed July 21, 2025
  3. ↑ Iowa Secretary of State, "Find Your Polling Place," accessed July 21, 2025
  4. ↑ The Iowa Legislature, "I.C.A. § 49.74," accessed July 21, 2025
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Iowa Secretary of State, "Voter ID FAQ," accessed July 21, 2025
  6. ↑ Iowa Secretary of State, "Iowa Voter Identification Requirements," accessed July 21, 2025
  7. ↑ Iowa Secretary of State, "Absentee Voting," accessed July 21, 2025
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Office of the Governor of Iowa, "Gov. Reynolds signs Executive Order to restore voting rights of felons who have completed their sentence," August 5, 2020
  9. ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "Restoration of Voting Rights for Felons," accessed July 21, 2025
  10. ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "Felon Voting Rights," April 6, 2023
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