Voter Ready:
A Guide on Going to the Polls in Iowa

Ready to Vote 2020: Prepare to vote at the polls.

Be #VoterReady for the Iowa June 2nd elections. A voting Iowan is an Iowan empowered to influence and create change at the federal, state, and local level, and casting your ballot is as easy as registering, providing proof of identification, and voting.

The first step is registering to vote. You can do this online, through the mail, or at the polls on Election Day.

Second, bring a valid form of identification to the polls.

The last step is just as easy – cast your ballot!

What You Need

Precinct election officials are required to ask voters registered in the county to show one of the valid forms of identification:

Iowa Driver’s License (not expired more than 90 days)
Iowa Non-Operator ID (not expired more than 90 days)
U.S. Passport (not expired)
U.S. Military ID or Veteran ID (not expired)
Iowa Voter Identification Card (must be signed)
Tribal ID Card/Document (must be signed, with photo, not expired)

An Iowa Voter Identification Card is provided automatically by the county auditor to each voter who does not have either an Iowa driver’s license or non-operator ID. If you have a question about the Iowa Voter Identification Card, or if you need to request a replacement, contact your county auditor.

A voter without one of the above forms of ID may have the voter’s identity attested to by another registered voter in the precinct or may prove identity and residence using Election Day Registration documents.

1

Register

2

ID

3

Vote

View frequently asked questions regarding voter identification.

Important Dates

Thursday, April 23^rd – First Day of Absentee Voting by mail for the Primary Election

Monday, May 4^th – First Day of In-Person Absentee Voting for the Primary Election

Monday, May 18^th – Worry Free Postmark Date

Friday, May 22^nd – Deadline to request an Absentee Ballot by mail;
Pre-registration Deadline for the Primary Election

Monday, June 1^st – Absentee Ballot In-Person Deadline

Last day to request and cast an absentee ballot in person in the auditor’s office.

Tuesday, June 2^nd – Primary Election Day

Polls are open from 7:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. Absentee ballots may be delivered to the county auditor until 9:00 p.m.

Tuesday, September 8^th – Special County, City, School and Community College Election Day

Monday, October 5^th– First Day of Absentee Voting for the General Election

Monday, October 19^th– Worry-Free Postmark Date for the General Election

Saturday, October 24^th– Pre-registration Deadline for the General Election

November 2^nd – Absentee Ballot In-Person Deadline for the General Election

November 3^rd – General Election Day

Polls are open from 7:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. Absentee ballots may be delivered to the county auditor until 9:00 p.m.

Why Should I Vote

Your Vote Influences Government: No matter the result of any given election, lawmakers can see what matters to their constituents based on the number of votes cast.
Americans have fought for the right to vote: Our country's founders and generations of women and men have fought long and hard for the right to vote. Honor their dedication and efforts by exercising this hard-earned privilege.
More voters make democracy better: With every voter, our democracy becomes more representative and better able to serve.

The Polling Process

Ready, Set, VOTE!

Why Should I Vote in the City and School elections?

Voting is about making your voice heard. The United States of America gives the power to ‘we the people’ to choose our leaders and the type of government we want. As Abraham Lincoln famously said, a “government of the people, by the people, for the people”. We ensure it stays that way by registering to vote and casting our ballots. Local elections tend to have a much greater impact on our daily lives than races for federal office, which is why it is important for voters to make their voices heard in Iowa’s combined city/school election.

Voter Ready: A Guide on Going to the Polls in Iowa