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Get Registered to Vote

The first step in the voting process is to register to vote.

In Iowa, it takes as little as three minutes. 

Am I Registered?

Registering to vote is a legal requirement to vote in elections in Iowa. To register you:

  • Must be at least 17 years old.
  • Must be a United States Citizen.
  • Must be an Iowa Resident.
  • Cannot be a convicted felon (unless your voting rights have been restored by the Governor, including through Executive Order, after a felony convictionfor more information visit RestoreYourVote.Iowa.Gov).
  • Cannot be judged mentally incompetent by a court of law.
  • Cannot claim the right to vote in any other place.

IMPORTANT THINGS TO REMEMBER WHEN REGISTERING TO VOTE

Completed voter registrations may be mailed to your county auditor and must be received by 5:00 p.m. CT or postmarked fifteen days prior to the election. Registrations submitted online must be completed at or before 11:59 p.m. CT fifteen days prior to the election.

When pre-registering to vote at your county auditor’s office or by mail, you’ll need either your driver’s license, non-operator ID, or to know the last four digits of your Social Security Number.

When pre-registering to vote online, you’ll need either your driver’s license or non-operator ID, and the last FIVE digits of your Social Security Number.

Register to Vote OnlineRegister to Vote By MailRegister to Vote at Your County Auditor's Office

Any voter that is not registered on or before October 24 may still register and vote by providing proof of identity and residence. This is called Election Day Registration, even if it’s done during in-person absentee voting at your county auditor’s office or at the polling place on Election Day.

Election Day Voter Registration

ONLINE VOTER REGISTRATION

You may register or update your voter registration online if you have an Iowa driver’s license or non-operator ID.

You’ll also need to know the last FIVE digits of your Social Security Number.

Register to Vote Online Through the Iowa DOT

REGISTERING TO VOTE BY MAIL

In order to register to vote by mail, complete the Iowa Voter Registration form and mail it to your county auditor.

Iowa Voter Registration FormFind the Address of Your County Auditor

AT THE COUNTY AUDITOR'S OFFICE

You may register to vote at the county auditor’s office. If you’re not sure where your county auditor is located, click the button below.

Find the Address of Your County Auditor

REGISTERING TO VOTE ON ELECTION DAY

If you are not registered to vote where you live, and it is after the pre-registration deadline, you may need to follow the Election Day Voter Registration process. You must provide acceptable proof of identity and current residence for your voting precinct. Proof of residence documents may be in an electronic format or on paper. If you do not have sufficient documentation, another registered voter who lives in the same precinct may attest to your identity and residence.

Find Your Polling PlaceMore Information About Election Day Voter Registration
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