If you haven't yet registered to vote, you may want to take advantage of this opportunity as you apply for your Iowa driver's license. Registering to vote at your nearest driver's license station allows you to have a voice in the democratic process and express your opinion on the healthcare, education, and social reforms that directly impact your daily life.

To register to vote, you must meet the following requirements:

• You must be a United States citizen.

• You must be an Iowa resident.

• You must be at least 18 years old before the next election.

• If you are a convicted felon, you must have had your voting rights restored.

• You can't vote in an Iowa election if the courts have declared you mentally incompetent.

According to Iowa law, you can't be registered to vote in more than one place―and you must be registered in the county in which you live. Registering to vote in a new county automatically revokes your previous voter registration, so you don't need to "unregister" from your old jurisdiction.

The Iowa voter registration deadline is 10 days before a primary or general election and 11 days for all other types of elections. Once you register to vote, your registration remains valid until you move or legally change your name. Visit the Iowa Secretary of State Web site to learn more about voter registration, absentee ballots, and the election process.

If your hectic schedule won't allow you to make a trip to your nearest driver's license station, you can download the appropriate Iowa voter registration forms online.

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