Iowa offers absentee/vote-by-mail without any special requirements such as verification signatures or providing a copy of ID. It also provides ample early voting at the county auditors' offices. Iowans should consider voting by mail as Plan A and going to their county auditor to vote in person as Plan B.
To avoid possible postal delays impacting your vote, we recommend mailing your completed ballot back by Tuesday, October 13th. Plan to drop it off by hand after that.
If you are concerned about your absentee ballot returning on time through the mail, visit our other page to learn how to drop your ballot off in person.
Register In Person: October 24, 2020. If you miss the deadline, you can also register to vote in-person during early vote or on November 3, 2020
Register By Mail: Postmarked October 19, 2020 or received October 24, 2020
Register Online: October 24, 2020
Iowa should be mailing absentee ballot applications to all active registered voters automatically.
Request In Person: November 2, 2020 unless the polls open at noon. If the polls open at noon, you may cast an absentee ballot at the county auditor's office from 8 Am to 11 AM on Election Day.
Request By Mail: Received October 23, 2020 for the primary; October 24, 2020 for the general election.
Request Online: N/A (The form can be found online but must be mailed in to your county auditor).
Ballots must be received or delivered to your county auditor's office by November 3, 2020 (before polls close) or, if postmarked by Election Day, then received by mail by noon the Monday.
We strongly recommend mailing your ballot much earlier (by October 13th) and, if that's not possible, dropping it off in person. Learn how below or on our other page.
No.
No.
To your county auditor's office by close of polls on Election Day.
A voter may designate a person to deliver a completed absentee ballot.
October 5, 2020 to November 2, 2020.
Your county auditor's office.
ID requested; photo not required.
If ID is not presented, the voter is asked to sign an oath verifying their identity, and will be allowed to cast a regular ballot.
Iowa driver’s license, non-driver state ID card
Iowa Voter ID card
U.S. passport
U.S. military ID
Veteran Health Identification Card issued by U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Tribal ID
A voter who moves to a different precinct in the same county where the voter is registered will be required to prove identity and residence.
If the voter’s acceptable ID card/document also shows the voter’s new address, no additional proof is needed. If it does not include the voter’s new address, the voter must show separate proof of residence, including:
Residential lease
Utility bill, including a cell phone bill
Bank statement
Paycheck
Government check or other government document
Property tax statement
If you have missed the voter registration deadline, you can still register to vote and a cast a ballot at the same time during early voting or on November 3, 2020.
Simply go to your regular polling place or early voting site to register and vote.
You should bring valid photo ID and, if the ID does not list your current address, also proof of residence. Contact your Local Election Office if you have any questions.
7am - 9pm
If you are in line when polls close, you are legally entitled to vote. Don't leave!
ID requested; photo not required.
If ID is not presented, the voter is asked to sign an oath verifying their identity, and will be allowed to cast a regular ballot.
Iowa driver’s license, non-driver state ID card
Iowa Voter ID card
U.S. passport
U.S. military ID
Veteran Health Identification Card issued by U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Tribal ID
A voter who moves to a different precinct in the same county where the voter is registered will be required to prove identity and residence.
If the voter’s acceptable ID card/document also shows the voter’s new address, no additional proof is needed. If it does not include the voter’s new address, the voter must show separate proof of residence, including:
Residential lease
Utility bill, including a cell phone bill
Bank statement
Paycheck
Government check or other government document
Property tax statement