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Iowa · How-To Guide

How do I register to vote or check my registration?

County Auditor (county level - each of Iowa's 99 counties) / Iowa Secretary of State (state level)
Step by Step

How to do it

  1. Confirm eligibility: Must be a U.S. citizen, Iowa resident, at least 18 years old by Election Day, not currently convicted of a felony (rights may be restored - see State Notes), and not judged mentally incompetent with respect to voting
  2. Choose your registration method:
  3. ONLINE: Iowa Online Voter Registration at sos.iowa.gov - requires Iowa driver's license or non-operator ID number
  4. BY MAIL: Download Iowa Voter Registration form at sos.iowa.gov; complete, sign, and mail to your County Auditor - must be received 15 days before Election Day
  5. IN PERSON: County Auditor's office; Iowa DOT driver's license offices; many public assistance offices - deadline is 15 days before Election Day for advance registration
  6. ELECTION DAY REGISTRATION: Iowa allows same-day voter registration on Election Day in person at the polling place - bring proof of identity and Iowa residence
  7. Submit registration by the applicable deadline
  8. Receive voter ID card from your County Auditor confirming enrollment and listing your polling place
Details

What you need to know

Required Docs
  • Iowa driver's license or non-operator ID number (for online registration)
  • OR last 4 digits of Social Security number
  • Date of birth and current Iowa address
Fee
Free; Iowa Voter ID Card issued free of charge by County Auditor if no other qualifying photo ID ADVANCE REGISTRATION DEADLINE: 15 days before Election Day (online, by mail received, or in person at County Auditor) ELECTION DAY REGISTRATION: YES - Iowa allows registering and voting on Election Day; requires proof of identity and Iowa residence at polling place or County Auditor CHECK YOUR REGISTRATION: sos.iowa.gov/amiregistered EARLY VOTING (Absentee): Iowa offers early in-person absentee voting at County Auditor's offices; no excuse required; starts 20 days before Election Day ABSENTEE BY MAIL: Any registered Iowa voter may vote by mail - no excuse required; request ballot at County Auditor; returned by 8 PM on Election Day ONLINE OPTION: Yes - sos.iowa.gov for registration; register or update at sos.iowa.gov WHERE TO GO: County Auditor; Iowa DOT driver's license offices; public assistance offices; polling place on Election Day (same-day registration)
Online Option
Yes - sos.iowa.gov for registration; register or update at sos.iowa.gov
Where to Go
County Auditor; Iowa DOT driver's license offices; public assistance offices; polling place on Election Day (same-day registration)
County-specific variations apply

Voter registration and elections administered by County Auditors (also serving as County Commissioners of Elections) in each of Iowa's 99 counties. Moving between Iowa counties: update registration with new county auditor. Iowa Secretary of State coordinates and supervises elections statewide. Contact your specific County Auditor for local early voting locations and election-day polling places.

Iowa Notes

Important state-specific details

  • Iowa has ELECTION DAY REGISTRATION - can register and vote on Election Day in person; bring proof of identity (photo ID) plus proof of current Iowa address.
  • No-excuse absentee/early voting: Iowa allows any registered voter to vote early by mail or in person at the County Auditor's office beginning 20 days before Election Day.
  • PHOTO ID REQUIRED to vote in Iowa: Iowa driver's license or non-operator ID, military ID, U.S. Passport, Veterans ID, tribal ID, or Iowa Voter ID Card. Without qualifying photo ID: can have identity attested to by another registered voter in the precinct OR use Election Day Registration documents.
  • FELONY CONVICTION: Iowa requires completion of the entire sentence (including probation and parole) before voting rights are restored. After full discharge, must re-register. Some felons may have rights restored by the governor; contact Iowa Secretary of State for current status.
  • Iowa Voter ID Card: available free from County Auditor for voters without qualifying photo ID.
  • Polls open 7:00 AM - 8:00 PM; anyone in line at closing must be allowed to vote.
Official Source

State office contact

State Office
Iowa Secretary of State, Elections - sos.iowa.gov/voters | (515) 281-5865; County Auditor (varies by county - 99 counties)