Voter Registration in Iowa

Attention: Voter information and identification requirements may change prior to an election. Please check the Secretary of State website to make sure you have the most current information.

Voter Registration in Iowa

To participate in Iowa elections, you must register to vote with the Iowa Secretary of State.

You can also submit your voter registration to the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) at the Customer Services Bureau.

Voter Eligibility in Iowa

To be eligible to vote in Iowa, you must:

  • Be a U.S. citizen.
  • Be a resident of Iowa.
  • Be at least 17 1/2 years old.
    • You must be at least 18 years old by the election date to be able to vote.
  • NOT be registered to vote in any other state.
  • NOT be incarcerated, on parole, on probation, or have outstanding monetary obligations from your felony conviction.*

*After fulfilling all sentencing requirements you can apply to have your voting rights restored.

Check Your Voter Registration Status

If you're unsure whether you're registered to vote in IA, you can check the status of your voter registration by visiting the Iowa Secretary of State website.

You will need to provide your:

  • First name.
  • Last name.
  • Zip code.

You can also find your polling place (primary and general elections only) online.

Register to Vote in Iowa

In Iowa, you can pre-register to vote or register on Election Day at the polling booth.

Pre-Register to Vote

You must pre-register to vote at least 10 days before the primary and general elections, and at least 11 days before all other elections.

You can register to vote by mail or in person. Just mail or take a completed State of Iowa Official Voter Registration Form to your county auditor or IA DMV office.

You will be mailed an IA voter registration card.

NOTE: If you lose your voter registration card, you can request a new card by contacting your local county auditor.

Just Moved?

Find all the information you need to finish your moving requirements with the DMV.

Election Day Registration

If you're unable to submit your voter registration before the deadline, you may be eligible to register on Election Day.

To register to vote on Election Day, you'll need to visit the polling place in your precinct and show:

  • Proof of your identity, such as your:
    • Iowa ID card or driver's license.
    • U.S. passport.
    • U.S. military ID.
  • Proof of your IA residency, such as your:
    • Utility bill.
    • Paycheck.
    • Lease agreement.

Absentee Voters

Military & Overseas Voters

If you're currently on active military duty, the spouse or dependent of an active-duty military member, or otherwise living overseas, you can register to vote in Iowa through the Federal Voting Assistance Program website (FVAP).

Just complete the Voter Registration and Absentee Ballot Request Federal Post Card Application (Form 76) and return it to your local Iowa election office; alternatively, you can fax or e-mail it to your election official.

You will automatically receive absentee ballots in the mail for all Federal elections held in the calendar year that you apply. You can also request absentee ballots for other elections held in Iowa during the year.

Absentee Voter Information

Not all absentee voters are military members (or spouses or dependents) or living overseas. You may be temporarily outside of your state for work or school, or otherwise absent from Iowa during the election cycle.

Refer to the state's section on registering to vote and requesting an absentee ballot (there, you'll find several different options for voter registration and requesting a ballot), as well as the Absentee Voting FAQ.

Change Your Voter Name or Address

To update your name, address, or party affiliation on your Iowa voter registration, you must resubmit the State of Iowa Official Voter Registration Form to the office of your county auditor.

NOTE: If you move within your county, you can notify your polling place on Election Day. Be prepared to show a form of identification with your name and address, such as your:

  • Valid photo ID.
  • Utility bill.
  • Bank statement.
  • Pay check.

Forms

76
Voter Registration and Absentee Ballot Request Federal Post Card Application
Use this form to register to vote in Iowa AND/OR to request an absentee ballot.
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