VOTER REGISTRATION DEADLINE

The voter pre-registration deadline is 10 days before general and primary elections, 11 days before all other elections.
You may register to vote on Election Day at the polling place for the precinct where you currently live. If you register to vote on Election Day, you will be required to show proof of both residency and identity.

Proper identification includes: a valid Iowa driver's license with current address, a residential lease, property tax statement, a utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, government check, a United States passport, United States military I.D., etc.

QUALIFICATIONS

 To register to vote in Iowa, you must:
• Be a citizen of the United States
• Be a resident of Iowa
• Be at least 18 years old on or before Election Day
• Not claim the right to vote anywhere else
• Not currently be judged "incompetent" to vote by a court
• Not have been convicted of a felony (unless your rights have been restored)

 OBTAINING A VOTER REGISTRATION FORM

Register to vote in person or obtain a mail-in voter registration form from your county elections office (contact information).

Request a voter registration from the Secretary of State's Office by calling 515-281-5760 or 888-SOS-VOTE (888-767-8683).

Obtain a voter registration form online:
English
Spanish
Vietnamese
Laotian
Bosnian

Members of the military or other citizens overseas may register to vote using the Federal Post Card Application, available online here.

Additional Information for Overseas Voters

IOWA ABSENTEE BALLOTS

Who Can Absentee Vote in Iowa?

Any registered voter may vote absentee at any election subject to the following provisions:

• You expect on Election Day, that you will be absent from your precinct during the time period in which the polls are open.
  
  
• Due to illness or physical disability you expect to be prevented from going to the polls and voting on Election Day.
  
  
• You expect to be unable to go to the polls and vote on Election Day.
  

How Can I Acquire an Absentee Ballot?

Request an application from the Secretary of State's office by calling 515-281-5760 or 888-SOS-VOTE (888-767-8683).

You may also request an application in writing, by fax, or by phone from the County Auditor's Office. Contact Information

Written or faxed requests must include the following:
• Voter's name and signature.
• The address where the voter lives. If the voter has moved from the address where they are registered to vote, that must be noted that on the application.
• The address to which the ballot is to be mailed, if different from voter's residence address.
• The name or date of the election.
• Political party (only for June primary elections)

Applications for absentee ballots are also available online:
English
Spanish
Vietnamese
Laotian

Members of the military or other citizens overseas may apply for an absentee ballot using the Federal Post Card Application, available online here.

How do I Return the Absentee Ballot and What is the Deadline?

By Mail:
Ballots are considered on time if they are postmarked before Election Day and received by noon the Monday after most elections.
For school elections and some city and special elections, there may be an earlier deadline. Read the instructions sent with the ballot.

In Person:
Ballots may be taken to the County Auditor's Office by the voter or someone the voter chooses. In order to be counted, ballots must be returned to the County Auditor's Office before the polls close on Election Day.
You must return your absentee ballot even if you do not vote. After receiving an absentee ballot, if you decide to vote at your polling place on Election Day, turn in the absentee ballot at the polls. You will be asked to vote on special ballot if you do not turn in your absentee ballot.

By Third Party:
A registered ballot courier may deliver your ballot to the County Auditor's Office for you.
A candidate whose name is on the ballot or an elected official shall not be registered as an absentee ballot courier.
The registered courier must turn your ballot in to the auditor's office within 72 hours of receiving the ballot.
You may call your county auditor to make sure the courier is registered with the auditor's office.
Keep the receipt that has the name of the courier and the name of the political party, candidate or committee the courier represents.

Other Information on Absentee Voting in Iowa

If you live in a health care facility or are in a hospital, you may request an absentee ballot in writing. The ballot will be delivered to you by two precinct officials.

If you are admitted to a health care facility or hospital three days or less before an election:

In Your Home County
The request for a ballot may be given to an election official delivering ballots to other voters. The auditor will take phone requests until four hours before the polls close. A request for a ballot may be Faxed if the original request is also mailed in. It must be postmarked before Election Day. Ballots cannot be sent by fax.

Outside your home county
You may choose someone to deliver your absentee ballot. Anyone you choose, except a candidate on the ballot, may deliver it. Phone or fax requests may be made to your county auditor no later than four hours before the polls close on Election Day.

Satellite Absentee Voting
Some counties use satellite absentee voting stations to provide absentee voting at various locations. The voter must mark the ballot at the station and leave it with the officials. All satellite stations must be accessible to people with disabilities. The auditor is not required to set up satellite stations. To find out whether satellite stations are planned for any election, contact your auditor. Voters may request satellite absentee voting stations by filing petitions with the county auditor.

 Source of information:
Iowa Secretary of State Elections
Lucas Building, 1st Floor
321 East 12th Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50319
Phone: 515-281-8849
Fax: 515-281-7142

E-Mail: sos@sos.state.ia.us
http://www.sos.state.ia.us