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Iowa Voting Guide

Welcome to FindLaw's Iowa Voter Guide. Learn about voter eligibility, registration, required voter identification, and registration deadlines. It also includes links to help you locate your polling place and information about how to vote in person or by absentee ballot, as well as special accommodations for Iowa voters with disabilities.

Am I eligible to vote in Iowa?

In Iowa, you can vote if you are a U.S. citizen, an Iowa resident, and at least 18 years old.

Until 2020, Iowa was the only state that permanently banned felons from voting. In August 2020, Governor Kim Reynolds passed a constitutional amendment allowing felons to vote once they complete their prison sentence. This includes parole and probation.

You can't vote if the courts have deemed you mentally incompetent.

POLLING PLACE FINDER

Where Do I Vote?

If you’re new to Iowa or a first-time voter, you may not know where to cast your ballot. You can find your polling location on the Iowa Secretary of State’s Voting Page.

The polling places in Iowa are open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Election Day for general and primary elections. For city and school board elections, polling locations are open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m.

How To Register in Iowa

There are several ways to register to vote in Iowa. This includes registering:

Voter ID Card

Get a free Iowa Voter ID card if you do not have a valid driver's license or a non-operator's ID. Register at your county auditor's office.

Online

If you already have a driver’s license, you can register at the Iowa Department of Transportation website.

Overseas

Iowa military members and overseas citizens can register and vote by absentee ballot. You can obtain your absentee voting application through the FVAP.

By Mail

Print out this form, complete it, and mail it to your county auditor's office. You must have a driver's license or state ID from the State of Iowa.

Iowa Voting Resources

Your vote counts. Take the time to learn how and when to vote.

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