The first step in the voting process is to register to vote.
In Iowa, it takes as little as three minutes.
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 conviction—for 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.
Any voter that is not registered on or before October 21 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
