Skip to main content

HOW TO VOTE ABSENTEE

Any registered voter may choose to vote absentee by mail or in person in Iowa. You must be registered to vote and complete an absentee ballot request form. The request form does not need to be witnessed or notarized.

Absentee In PersonAbsentee By MailUOCAVA Voters

ABSENTEE IN PERSON

In-person absentee voting is available beginning 20 days prior to the election and runs up to 5 p.m. the day prior to the election. You can vote in your county auditor’s office or at an appropriate satellite location, if available.

In order to receive an absentee ballot, a registered voter MUST provide the following necessary information:

  • Name
  • Date of Birth
  • Iowa Residential Address
  • Voter Verification Number (ID Number)
    • Iowa Driver’s License or Non-Operator ID Number OR
    • Four-digit Voter PIN located on the voter’s Iowa Voter ID Card
    • Any voter may request an Iowa Voter ID Card by contacting their County Auditor’s Office
  • The name OR date of the election for which you are requesting an absentee ballot
  • Party affiliation – only required for Primary Elections, which are held in even-numbered years
  • Signature and date the form was completed

RECEIVING THE BALLOT

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. Any voter may request an Iowa Voter ID Card by contacting their county auditor’s office.

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.

After completing your request form, and presenting proof of identification, an election official will provide you a ballot and instructions on how to mark and return your ballot.

ABSENTEE BY MAIL

REQUEST DEADLINE FOR MAILED BALLOTS

Iowans can submit requests to receive absentee ballots by mail 70 days prior to Election Day.

The original, signed request form must be received in your county auditor’s office by 5:00 p.m. CT fifteen days prior to the election.

In order to receive an absentee ballot, a registered voter MUST provide the following necessary information:

  • Name
  • Date of Birth
  • Iowa Residential Address
  • Voter Verification Number (ID Number)
    • Iowa Driver’s License or Non-Operator ID Number OR
    • Four-digit Voter PIN located on the voter’s Iowa Voter ID Card
    • Any voter may request an Iowa Voter ID Card by contacting their County Auditor’s Office
  • The name OR date of the election for which you are requesting an absentee ballot
  • Party affiliation – only required for Primary Elections, which are held in even numbered years
  • Signature and date the form was completed

RECEIVING THE BALLOT

After receiving your request form, the county auditor will mail you a ballot.

Ballots are mailed no sooner than 20 days before Election Day. Please allow several days for delivery before contacting your county auditor for a replacement or presenting in person to vote a replacement ballot.

Your ballot will arrive with instructions on how to mark the ballot as well as how to return the ballot.

RETURNING THE BALLOT

Mark your ballot, and then follow the instructions included with your ballot to return it in the postage-paid return envelope. It is vital that you utilize the return envelope supplied by the county auditor.

You can:

  • Mail your ballot so that is received by 8:00 p.m. CT on Election Day.
  • Hand deliver your ballot to your county auditor by 8:00 p.m. CT on Election Day.
  • You may designate someone to return your ballot under one of the following circumstances:
    • The designee is an immediate family member.
    • The designee is a member of your household.
    • You are disabled and you have designated someone to return your ballot.

Directions and rules for designating someone to return your ballot are included in the official instructions included with your mailed ballot.

  • Surrender your absentee ballot at your precinct polling place on Election Day and vote a regular ballot.
  • Vote a provisional ballot at the polls on Election Day if you cannot surrender your voted absentee ballot. Voted absentee ballots cannot be delivered to the polling place on Election Day.

TRACKING THE BALLOT

Did you know you can track the status of your absentee ballot after your request form has been received by the county auditor? Click here to get an update on your ballot’s status.

Track your Ballot
Skip to content