Summary:
- How to Register to Vote
- How to Fill Out & Return Your Absentee Ballot
- How to Vote Early In-Person Before Election Day
- How to Vote In-Person on Election Day
1. Register to Vote
In order to vote in Iowa's elections, you must be a registered voter.
Click here to register to vote online.
Click here to download a Voter Registration Form.
This form must be turned into your local County Auditor. Find the address of your County Auditor here.
In order to qualify to register, you must be: a U.S. citizen, an Iowa resident, at least 17 years old. A person may vote if they will be 18 years old on or before election day. In the case of primary elections, a person may vote if they will be 18 years old on or before the corresponding general election.
2. Receiving and Completing Your Absentee Ballot
Absentee ballots will be mailed out if your county auditor has received your absentee ballot request form.
To complete your ballot, follow the instructions included upon receiving your ballot.
To return your ballot, place it in the postage-paid return envelope supplied to you by the County Auditor. It is important you use the postage-paid return envelope.
You can return your ballot by:
- Mailing your ballot.
- Hand deliver your ballot to your local County Auditor during normal business hours.
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Or, you can surrender your absentee ballot at your precinct polling place on Election Day, and vote in-person.
- If you cannot surrender your ballot, you will be asked to vote by a provisional ballot.
**Note: Absentee Ballots cannot be delivered to precinct polling places -- only to your county auditor's office.
Click here to track your absentee ballot.
3. Voting Early In-Person
You can also cast an absentee ballot in-person at your county auditor's office. Click here for more information. Click here to find your county auditor's office.
4. Voting In-Person
If you choose to vote in-person, you can find your polling place here.
Polls are open from 7 AM to 8 PM.