Election administration in Iowa

Iowa 2025 elections

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Special state legislative • Local ballot measures • School boards • Municipal • All local elections by county • How to run for office |

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Election Information
Voter registration
Early voting
Absentee/mail-in voting
All-mail voting
Voter ID laws
State poll opening and closing times
Time off work for voting

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Ballotpedia's Election Administration Legislation Tracker
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Select a state from the menu below to learn more about its election administration.

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Election administration encompasses a state's voting policies, procedures, and enforcement. These include voter identification requirements, early and absentee/mail-in voting provisions, voter list maintenance methods, and more. Each state's voting policies dictate who can vote and under what conditions.

THE BASICS

* Iowa permits online voter registration.

* Iowa permits early voting and no-excuse absentee/mail-in voting.

* In Iowa, polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Central Time

* Iowa requires identification to vote.

* In Iowa, a voter must be affiliated with a party in order to participate in its primary. However, a voter can change his or her political party affiliation on Election Day.

* Iowa has tools for verifying voter registration and checking the status of absentee/mail-in ballots.

Below, you will find details on the following election administration topics in Iowa:

* Poll times
* Voter registration
* Early and absentee/mail-in voting policy[1]
* Voter identification requirements
* Provisional ballot rules
* Primary election type
* Time off work for voting
* Electioneering
* Voting rules for people convicted of a felony

* Voter list maintenance
* Post-election auditing
* Election administration authorities
* Noteworthy events
* Election policy ballot measures
* Election policy legislation
* Ballot access
* Redistricting
* Contact information

## Contents

* 1 Poll times
* 2 Voter registration
* 2.1 Automatic registration
* 2.2 Online registration
* 2.3 Same-day registration
* 2.4 Residency requirements
* 2.5 Verification of citizenship
* 2.6 Verifying your registration
* 3 Early and absentee/mail-in voting policy
* 3.1 Early voting
* 3.2 Absentee/mail-in voting
* 3.2.1 Returning absentee/mail-in ballots
* 3.2.2 Signature requirements and cure provisions
* 3.2.3 Was your absentee/mail-in ballot counted?
* 4 Voter identification requirements
* 4.1 Provisional balloting for voters without ID
* 5 Provisional ballot rules
* 5.1 Was your provisional ballot counted?
* 6 Primary election type
* 7 Time off work for voting
* 8 Electioneering
* 9 Voting rules for people convicted of a felony
* 10 Voter list maintenance
* 10.1 When names can be removed from the voter list
* 10.2 Inactive voter list rules
* 10.3 The Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC)
* 11 Post-election auditing
* 12 Election administration authorities
* 12.1 State election officials
* 12.2 Local election officials
* 13 Election policy ballot measures
* 14 Recent legislation related to election administration in Iowa
* 14.1 Explore election legislation with Ballotpedia
* 15 Ballot access
* 16 Redistricting
* 16.1 State process
* 17 Noteworthy events
* 17.1 Absentee/mail-in ballot rule changes (2021)
* 17.2 Changes to early voting period and Election Day polling hours (2021)
* 17.3 State judge strikes down absentee ballot verification process (2019)
* 17.4 League of United Latin American Citizens of Iowa challenges voter ID law (2018)
* 18 Contact information
* 18.1 Election agencies
* 19 Ballotpedia's election coverage
* 20 See also
* 20.1 Elections in Iowa
* 21 External links
* 22 Footnotes

## Poll times[edit]

See also: State poll opening and closing times

In Iowa, all polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Central Time. An individual who is in line at the time polls close must be allowed to vote.[2][3]

## Voter registration[edit]

Check your voter registration status here.

To vote in Iowa, one must be a United States citizen, a resident of Iowa, and at least 18 years old by Election Day. A voter that is 17 years old may participate in a primary election if they will be 18 by the time of the next general election. The deadline to register is 15 days prior to the election but registration is permitted on Election Day with proof of identification.Iowans may register online or by completing a form and returning to their county auditor’s office by mail or in person.[4][5]

### Automatic registration[edit]

See also: Automatic voter registration

Iowa does not practice automatic voter registration.

### Online registration[edit]

See also: Online voter registration

Iowa has implemented an online voter registration system. Residents can register to vote by visiting this website.

### Same-day registration[edit]

See also: Same-day voter registration

Iowa allows same-day voter registration.

In order to register and vote on Election Day, voters must go to the correct polling place with proof of their identity and residence (i.e. a valid Iowa driver's license or another acceptable form of photo identification and proof of residency).[6] Click here to read more about voter identification requirements.

### Residency requirements[edit]

To register to vote in Iowa, you must be a resident of the state. State law does not specify a length of time for which you must have been a resident to be eligible.

### Verification of citizenship[edit]

See also: Laws permitting noncitizens to vote in the United States

Iowa does not require proof of citizenship for voter registration. An individual applying to register to vote must attest that they are a U.S. citizen under penalty of perjury.[7]

All 49 states with voter registration systems require applicants to declare that they are U.S. citizens in order to register to vote in state and federal elections, under penalty of perjury or other punishment.[8] Seven states — Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, New Hampshire, and Wyoming — have laws requiring verification of citizenship at the time of voter registration, whether in effect or not. One state, Ohio, requires proof of citizenship only when registering to vote at a Bureau of Motor Vehicles facility. In three states — California, Maryland, and Vermont — at least one local jurisdiction allows noncitizens to vote in some local elections. Noncitizens registering to vote in those elections must complete a voter registration application provided by the local jurisdiction and are not eligible to register as state or federal voters.

### Verifying your registration[edit]

The Iowa secretary of state’s office maintains a page that allows residents to check their voter registration status online.

## Early and absentee/mail-in voting policy[edit]

### Early voting[edit]

See also: Early voting

Iowa permits early voting. Learn more by visiting this website.

Early voting permits citizens to cast ballots in person at a polling place prior to an election. In states that permit no-excuse early voting, a voter does not have to provide an excuse for being unable to vote on Election Day. States that allow voters to cast no-excuse absentee/mail-in ballots in person are counted as no-excuse early voting states.

Forty-seven states and the District of Columbia permit no-excuse early voting.

### Absentee/mail-in voting[edit]

See also: Absentee/mail-in voting

All voters are eligible to vote absentee/by-mail in Iowa. There are no special eligibility requirements for voting absentee. To vote absentee/by-mail, a request application must be received by the county auditor between 70 days before the election and 5 p.m. on the 15th day prior to the election. Voters must include one of the following: Iowa driver's license or non-operator ID number, voter ID/verification number, or the four-digit PIN from their voter ID card. Returned absentee ballots must be received by the time polls close on Election Day in order to be counted.[9]

#### Returning absentee/mail-in ballots[edit]

See also: Mail ballot collection and return laws by state

Absentee/mail-in ballots returned by mail must be received by the time polls close on Election Day in order to be counted, regardless of the method of return.[9] Absentee ballots can be returned in person to the county auditor’s office during normal business hours. Absentee ballots cannot be returned to a polling place on Election Day, but a voter can surrender their voted absentee ballot at the polls and vote a regular ballot.[9]

State law permits someone other than the voter to return an absentee ballot if the person is an immediate family member, a member, or a designee if the voter is disabled.[9]

Twenty states allow anyone chosen by the voter to return a ballot on the voter's behalf, with certain exceptions, while 16 states allow anyone with certain relationships to the voter to return the voter's ballot. Four states allow only the voter to return the voter's ballot, with certain exceptions, and two states required voters to return their ballots by mail. Eight states and D.C. do not specify who may return ballots.

#### Signature requirements and cure provisions[edit]

Absentee/mail-in ballots in Iowa include a return envelope with an affidavit that must be signed by the voter in order for the ballot to be counted. If election officials determine that the signature on the affidavit does not match the voter’s signature on file, the ballot will not be counted. Iowa law includes a cure provision to remedy certain issues with completed absentee/mail-in ballots.[10]

For completed absentee/mail-in ballots returned by 5:00 p.m. on the Saturday before the election (or Friday for primary and special elections), the commissioner reviews the affidavit on the return envelope for completeness and notifies the voter about any issues within twenty-four hours after the ballot was returned. Voter may complete or correct their absentee/mail-in ballot affidavit in person at the office of the commissioner by 5:00 p.m. on the day before the election. Alternatively, they can vote a replacement ballot at the office of the commissioner during the early voting period or vote in person on Election Day.[11]

Thirty-three states have laws that include cure provisions, while 17 states do not. One state, Pennsylvania, allows counties to establish a cure process.

#### Was your absentee/mail-in ballot counted?[edit]

Iowa voters can use this website provided by the Iowa Secretary of State to check the status of their absentee/mail-in ballot.

## Voter identification requirements[edit]

See also: Voter ID in Iowa
See also: Voter identification laws by state

Iowa requires voters to present identification while voting. Voters who do not have a valid ID can obtain an Iowa voter ID card for free by mail.[12][13]

The following list of accepted ID was current as of October 2025. Click here for the Iowa Secretary of State's page on accepted ID to ensure you have the most current information.

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* Iowa Voter Identification Card
* Iowa driver’s license
* Iowa non-operator ID
* U.S. Military ID or Veteran ID
* U.S. Passport
* Tribal ID card/document [14]

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Voters who do not have one of the IDs listed above may have another voter attest to their identity, or they may provide a combination of other documents to verify their identity and residence. The following additional documents are acceptable proof of identity:[5]

* Iowa non-operator ID
* Out-of-state driver's license or non-driver ID card
* ID card issued by employer
* Student ID issued by Iowa high school or college
* Another photo ID that is current, valid, and contains an expiration date

The following documents are acceptable proof of residence if a photo ID does not contain a voter's current address:[5]

* Residential lease
* Utility bill (including a cell phone bill)
* Bank statement
* Paycheck
* Government check or other government document
* Property tax statement

Thirty-six states require voters to present identification in order to vote at the polls on Election Day. Of these states, 24 require voters to present identification containing a photograph, and 12 accept other forms of identification. The remaining 14 states do not require voters to present identification in order to vote at the polls on Election Day.

Valid forms of identification differ by state. In certain states that require voters to provide identification, there may be exceptions that allow some voters to cast a ballot without providing an ID. To see more about these exceptions, see details by state. Commonly accepted forms of ID include driver's licenses, state-issued identification cards, and military identification cards.

#### Provisional balloting for voters without ID[edit]

Voters who do not have ID while voting may cast provisional ballots. See below for provisional ballot rules.

## Provisional ballot rules[edit]

Voters in Iowa are given provisional ballots, or ballots requiring additional steps or information before they can be counted, under the following circumstances.[15]

(1) If a voter’s name is not on the list of registered voters, the voter has the right to cast a provisional ballot.

(2) If a voter’s qualifications to vote are challenged, and the voter cannot prove that he or she is eligible to vote, the voter has the right to cast a provisional ballot.

(3) If a voter requested an absentee/mail-in ballot, but then wants to vote at the polls and did not surrender the absentee ballot at the polls, the voter has the right to cast a provisional ballot.

(4) If a voter does not have the required identification, the voter has the right to cast a provisional ballot.[16]

Voters who cast a provisional ballot have the right to present evidence indicating that they are eligible to vote to precinct election officials or the county auditor's office by a deadline specified on the provisional ballot envelope.[15]

A provisional ballot is rejected in the following circumstances:[16]

* If the voter did not provide proper identification;
* If the voter was not registered in the precinct on election day;
* If the voter returned an absentee/mail-in ballot that was counted;
* If the voter is not qualified to vote; or
* If the voter is "inactive/pending and has not provided ID as required by the time the board meets to consider provisional and challenged absentee/mail-in ballots."

#### Was your provisional ballot counted?[edit]

Provisional ballot voters are given a written notice explaining their voting rights and listing the date when the special ballot board meets. Voters may provide evidence to precinct election officials or the county auditor's office by the deadline listed on the provisional ballot envelope to verify their identity and/or residence. If a voter's ballot is not counted, he or she will receive a letter in the mail explaining why it was not counted, according to the Iowa Secretary of State’s website.[15]

Voters can contact their county auditor for questions related to their provisional ballot.

## Primary election type[edit]

See also: Primary elections in Iowa

A primary election is an election in which registered voters select a candidate that they believe should be a political party's candidate for elected office to run in the general election. They are also used to choose convention delegates and party leaders. Primaries are state-level and local-level elections that take place prior to a general election. In Iowa, state law provides for a closed primary where every voter must be affiliated with a party in order to participate in its primary. However, a voter can change his or her political party affiliation on the day of the primary.[17][18]

For information about which offices are nominated via primary election, see this article.

## Time off work for voting[edit]

In Iowa, employees may apply in writing for paid leave which, when combined with non-work time, totals to three consecutive hours to allow for participation in elections:

“  | Any person entitled to vote at an election in this state who does not have two consecutive hours in the period between the time of the opening and the time of the closing of the polls during which the person is not required to be present at work for an employer, is entitled to such time off from work time to vote as will in addition to the person’s nonworking time total two consecutive hours during the time the polls are open. Application by any employee for such absence shall be made individually and in writing prior to the date of the election, and the employer shall designate the period of time to be taken. The employee is not liable to any penalty nor shall any deduction be made from the person’s regular salary or wages on account of such absence.[19][14] | ”

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Twenty-eight states require employers to grant employees time off to vote. Within these 28 states, policies vary as to whether that time off must be paid and how much notice must be given.

## Electioneering[edit]

State law prohibits certain activities within 300 feet of polling locations, including "[l]oitering, congregating, electioneering, posting signs, treating voters, or soliciting votes," and:[20]

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* (2) Interrupting, hindering, or opposing a voter while in or approaching the polling place for the purpose of voting.
* (3) As a voter, submitting a false statement as to the voter’s ability to mark a ballot.
* (4) Interfering or attempting to interfere with a voter when the voter is inside the enclosed voting space, or when the voter is marking a ballot.
* (5) Endeavoring to induce a voter to show how the voter marks or has marked a ballot.
* (6) Marking, or causing in any manner to be marked, on a ballot, any character for the purpose of identifying such ballot.[14]

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## Voting rules for people convicted of a felony[edit]

See also: Voting rights for people convicted of a felony

Individuals convicted of a felony regain their right to vote upon completion of their sentence, including prison time, parole, and probation.[21] People convicted of felony homicide do not have their voting rights automatically restored. Instead, they must apply individually for restoration of voting rights by pardon.[21][22]

Voting rights for people convicted of a felony vary from state to state. In the majority of states, people convicted of a felony cannot vote while they are incarcerated but may regain the right to vote upon release from prison or at some point thereafter.[23]

## Voter list maintenance[edit]

All states have rules under which they maintain voter rolls—or, check and remove certain names from their lists of registered voters. Most states are subject to the parameters set by The National Voter Registration Act (NVRA).[24] The NVRA requires states to make efforts to remove deceased individuals and individuals who have become ineligible due to a change of address. It prohibits removing registrants from voter lists within 90 days of a federal election due to change of address unless a registrant has requested to be removed, or from removing people from voter lists solely because they have not voted. The NVRA says that states may remove names from their registration lists under certain other circumstances and that their methods for removing names must be uniform and nondiscriminatory.[25]

#### When names can be removed from the voter list[edit]

Iowa law authorizes election officials to remove the names of voters from the registered voting list if an individual:[26]

* dies
* registers to vote in another jurisdiction and notice of such registration is received by election officials
* requests cancellation of their registered status in writing
* is convicted of a felony
* is declared incompetent to vote under state law
* is not a resident of Iowa or is not a citizen of the United States
* remains on the inactive voter list for two consecutive general elections.

#### Inactive voter list rules[edit]

Iowa law says that, in the first quarter of each year, election officials must mail an address confirmation to each registered voter who did not vote in the most recent general election, did not appear in national change of address program data, and has not been mailed such a notice in a four-year period. State law says "[r]egistered voters receiving such notice shall be marked inactive."[27]

If a confirmation notice is returned as undeliverable, local election officials are to place the voter on the inactive registration list. If a voter remains on the inactive list through two general elections, their registration is to be canceled.[28]

#### The Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC)[edit]

See also: Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC)

According to its website, ERIC is a nonprofit corporation that is governed by a board of member-states. These member states submit voter registration and motor vehicle registration information to ERIC. ERIC uses this information, as well as Social Security death records and other sources, to provide member states with reports showing voters who have moved within their state, moved out of their state, died, have duplicate registrations in their state, or are potentially eligible to vote but are not yet registered. ERIC's website describes its funding as follows: "Members fund ERIC. New members pay a one-time membership fee of $25,000, which is reserved for technology upgrades and other unanticipated expenses. Members also pay annual dues. Annual dues cover operating costs and are based, in part, on the citizen voting age population in each state."[29]

Twenty-five states are participating members in the ERIC program. Thirty-four states and the District of Columbia have joined and participated in ERIC at some point.[30]

As of July 2025, Iowa was not a participating member in the ERIC program.

On March 17, 2023, the Iowa Secretary of State announced plans to end the state's participation in the program, saying he was "disappointed in the direction the ERIC organization has taken."[31] He also said, "Clean, accurate voter lists are critical to running secure elections and the loss of [other] states' data makes participation in ERIC no longer valuable to Iowa."[31] According to ERIC, the effective date of this withdrawal wasJune 16, 2023.[32]

## Post-election auditing[edit]

Iowa state law requires post-election audits. The state commissioner of elections and the county commissioners determines the number of counties and precincts to be audited and selects them by lot. "An administrative recount may be ordered if the results of the audit require an administrative recount, for example if the commissioner suspects that voting equipment used in the election malfunctioned or that programming errors may have affected the outcome of the election." The audit report must be completed no later than 20 days after the election. The results of the audit itself cannot change the results of an election.[33][34]

Post-election audits check that election results tallied by a state's voting system match results from paper records, such as paper ballots filled out by voters or the paper records produced by electronic voting machines. Post-election audits are classified into two categories: audits of election results—which include traditional post-election audits as well as risk-limiting audits—and procedural audits.[35][36]

Typically, traditional post-election audits are done by recounting a portion of ballots, either electronically or by hand, and comparing the results to those produced by the state's voting system. In contrast, risk-limiting audits use statistical methods to compare a random sample of votes cast to election results instead of reviewing every ballot. The scope of procedural audits varies by state, but they typically include a systematic review of voting equipment, performance of the voting system, vote totals, duties of election officials and workers, ballot chain of custody, and more.

Forty-six states and the District of Columbia require some form of post-election audit by law, excluding states with pilot programs. Of these, 39 states and the District of Columbia require traditional post-election audits, while three states require risk-limiting post-election audits, and three states require some other form of post-election audit, including procedural post-election audits.[37][35]

## Election administration authorities[edit]

### State election officials[edit]

The Iowa Secretary of State is the state's chief election official.[38] There is no state board of elections or equivalent authority. The secretary of state is elected by popular vote every four years.

### Local election officials[edit]

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Do you need information about elections in your area? Are you looking for your local election official? Click here to visit the U.S. Vote Foundation and use their election official lookup tool.|

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## Election policy ballot measures[edit]

See also: Elections and campaigns on the ballot and List of Iowa ballot measures

Ballotpedia has tracked the following ballot measures relating to election and campaign policy in Iowa.

1. Iowa Biennial Elections, Amendment 1 (1900)
2. Iowa Biennial Elections, Amendment 1 (1904)
3. Iowa General Election Dates, Amendment 1 (1882)
4. Iowa County Attorney Elections, Amendment 4 (1882)
5. Iowa General Election Dates, Amendment 2 (June 1916)
6. Iowa Replacement of Governor-Elect, Amendment 1 (1952)
7. Iowa Residency Requirements, Amendment 1 (1970)
8. Iowa Governor and Lt. Governor Elected as a Team, Amendment 1 (1988)
9. Iowa Voter Qualifications, Amendment 1 (2008)

## Recent legislation related to election administration in Iowa[edit]

The table below lists bills related to election administration that have been introduced during (or carried over to) the current legislative session in Iowa. The following information is included for each bill:

* State
* Bill number
* Official bill name or caption
* Most recent action date
* Legislative status
* Sponsor party
* Topics dealt with by the bill

Bills are organized by most recent action. The table displays up to 100 results. To view more bills, use the arrows in the upper-right corner. Clicking on a bill will open its page on Ballotpedia's Election Administration Legislation Tracker, which includes bill details and a summary.

### Explore election legislation with Ballotpedia[edit]

* Try Ballotpedia's Election Administration Legislation Tracker

Ballotpedia's Election Administration Legislation Tracker provides daily updates on legislative activity related to election policy in all 50 states.

Our election policy experts translate complex bill text into easy-to-understand summaries. And because it's from Ballotpedia, our legislation tracker is guaranteed to be neutral, unbiased, and nonpartisan.

Search bills

* Read Ballotpedia's State of Election Administration Legislation Reports

Ballotpedia publishes regular analysis of election administration legislation, including three full reports per year, providing ongoing coverage of legislative activity affecting election policy in each state.

These reports deliver insights into partisan priorities, dive deep into notable trends, and highlight activity in key states.

Read the latest report

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The newsletter tracks developments in election policy around the country, including legislative activity, big-picture trends, and recent news. Each email contains in-depth data from our Election Administration Legislation Tracker.

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## Ballot access[edit]

See also: Ballot access requirements for political candidates in Iowa

In order to get on the ballot in Iowa, a candidate for state or federal office must meet a variety of state-specific filing requirements and deadlines. These regulations, known as ballot access laws, determine whether a candidate or party will appear on an election ballot. These laws are set at the state level. A candidate must prepare to meet ballot access requirements well in advance of primaries, caucuses, and the general election.

There are three basic methods by which an individual may become a candidate for office in a state.

1. An individual can seek the nomination of a state-recognized political party.
2. An individual can run as an independent. Independent candidates often must petition in order to have their names printed on the general election ballot.
3. An individual can run as a write-in candidate.

This article outlines the steps that prospective candidates for state-level and congressional office must take in order to run for office in Iowa. For information about filing requirements for presidential candidates, click here. Information about filing requirements for local-level offices is not available in this article (contact state election agencies for information about local candidate filing processes).

## Redistricting[edit]

See also: Redistricting in Iowa

Redistricting is the process by which new congressional and state legislative district boundaries are drawn. Each of Iowa's four United States Representatives and 150 state legislators are elected from political divisions called districts. United States Senators are not elected by districts, but by the states at large. District lines are redrawn every 10 years following completion of the United States census. The federal government stipulates that districts must have nearly equal populations and must not discriminate on the basis of race or ethnicity.[39][40][41][42]

Iowa was apportioned four seats in the U.S. House of Representatives after the 2020 census, the same number it received after the 2010 census. Click here for more information about redistricting in Iowa after the 2020 census.

HIGHLIGHTS

* Following the 2020 United States Census, Iowa was apportioned four congressional districts, which was unchanged from the number it had after the 2010 census.

* Iowa's House of Representatives is made up of 100 districts; Iowa's State Senate is made up of 50 districts.

* In Iowa, an advisory commission drafts congressional and state legislative district boundaries. The state legislature retains final authority to implement district maps.

### State process[edit]

See also: State-by-state redistricting procedures

The Legislative Services Agency prepares redistricting plans for approval by the Iowa State Legislature. According to All About Redistricting, the Legislative Services Agency (LSA) consists of "civil servants committed to nonpartisanship and otherwise charged with tasks like legal and fiscal analysis of state legislation and state government oversight." The LSA is assisted by a commission, which consists of the following members:[43]

1. one member selected by the majority leader of the Iowa State Senate
2. one member selected by the majority leader of the Iowa House of Representatives
3. one member selected by the minority leader of the Iowa State Senate
4. one member selected by the minority leader of the Iowa House of Representatives
5. one member selected by the first four members

The members of this commission cannot "hold partisan public office or an office in a political party, and none may be a relative or employee of a federal or state legislator (or the legislature as a whole)."[43]

Working with this commission, the LSA drafts congressional and state legislative district lines. The maps are presented as a single bill to the state legislature, which may approve or reject the bill without altering it (the legislature can provide feedback). If the legislature rejects the plan, the LSA must draft a second proposal. If the legislature rejects the second proposal, the LSA must draft a third, and final, set of maps. If the legislature rejects this plan, it may then approve its own maps. Since the implementation of this process in 1980, the state legislature has never chosen not to approve an LSA proposal. Redistricting plans are also subject to gubernatorial veto. In addition, the legislature may repeal or revise the maps at any time, though it has never done so.[43]

State law establishes the following criteria for both congressional and state legislative districts:[43]

1. Districts must be "convenient and contiguous."
2. Districts must "preserve the integrity of political subdivisions like counties and cities."
3. Districts must "to the extent consistent with other requirements, [be] reasonably compact–defined in terms of regular polygons, comparisons of length and width, and overall boundary perimeter."

In addition, state House districts are required to be contained within state Senate districts "where possible, and where not in conflict with the criteria above." It is explicit in state law that district lines cannot be drawn "to favor a political party, incumbent, or other person or group."[43]

## Noteworthy events[edit]

### Absentee/mail-in ballot rule changes (2021)[edit]

On June 8, 2021, Governor Kim Reynolds (R) signed SF568, making a series of changes to Iowa's absentee/mail-in voting laws. These include, but are not limited to, the following:[44]

* Requiring the state election commissioner to create a website "through which a voter can track the voter's absentee ballot request form and absentee ballot" by February 26, 2024.
* Establishing that "no person other than the registered voter, an individual who lives in the same household as the registered voter, an immediate family member of the registered voter ... or a delivery agent acting on behalf of a registered voter who is unable to return the registered voter's own ballot due to reason of blindness or other disability" can return a completed absentee/mail-in ballot (a delivery agent is defined as "an individual registered to vote in this state who has been designated to return a completed absentee ballot ... by another registered voter who is unable to return the registered voter's own absentee ballot due to reason of blindness or other disability;" an immediate family member is defined as "an individual related to a registered voter within the fourth degree of consanguinity or affinity").
* Barring a delivery agent from submitting more than two completed absentee/mail-in ballots per election.

The Iowa State Senate voted 30-17 in favor of the original version of SF568 on March 17. The Iowa House of Representatives voted 54-33 to approve an amended version of SF568 on May 19, 2021. The Senate concurred in the House amendments on May 19, 2021, by a vote of 29-17.[44]

### Changes to early voting period and Election Day polling hours (2021)[edit]

On March 8, 2021, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds (R) signed SF413 into law, making the following modifications to the state's election protocols:[45][3]

* Reduced the early voting period from 29 to 20 days.
* Required that polls close at 8 p.m. instead of 9 p.m. for state and federal election.
* Required that absentee/mail-in ballots be received by the time polls close on Election Day in order to be counted (previously, absentee/mail-in ballots postmarked no later than the day before Election Day were counted if they were received by noon on the Monday following Election Day).
* Prohibited county auditors from opening satellite early voting sites unless petitioned to do so by county residents.
* Prohibited county auditors from mailing absentee/mail-in ballot application forms to a voter unless the voter has requested an application.

The bill cleared both chambers of the state legislature on party lines, with all present Republicans voting in favor and all present Democrats voting against it. Jeff Kaufmann, chair of the state Republican Party, supported the legislation, saying, "I applaud Gov. Reynolds and legislative Republicans for showing Iowans that the GOP is listening to their concerns and defending the integrity of our state's election system. While our election systems were already strong, this bill improves upon the work Republicans did in 2017 when they passed Voter ID laws. The 2020 election showed us where shortfalls in our system existed and Iowa Republicans created solutions targeted at fixing those shortfalls." Meanwhile, Ross Wilburn, chair of the state Democratic Party, opposed the bill: "Iowans have always had a proud tradition of participating in the democratic process with accessible and secure elections. Today, Kim Reynolds and Iowa Republicans have made it more difficult for Iowans, especially seniors and those with disabilities, to be part of this process and have their voices heard."[45][3]

On March 9, 2021, The League of United Latin American Citizens of Iowa filed suit against Secretary of State Paul Pate (R) and Attorney General Tom Miller (D) in the Polk County District Court, alleging that the aforementioned provisions of SF413 "independently and collectively impose an undue burden on the fundamental right to vote," in violation of the Iowa Constitution.[46]

### State judge strikes down absentee ballot verification process (2019)[edit]

On January 23, 2019, Polk County District Court Judge Karen A. Romano struck down a rule instituted by Secretary of State Paul Pate (R) requiring local election officials to contact absentee voters directly to obtain missing information from absentee ballot requests. The rule in question prevented officials from obtaining missing information from Iowa's existing statewide voter database. Pate had argued that this rule constituted the "best means available" (the language used in state statutes) for verifying absentee voters' eligibility. In her order, Romano wrote, "The court finds that the secretary's interpretation is erroneous. Forbidding commissioners from using the voter registration system entirely is a direct contradiction of the term 'best means available.'"[47]

Pate criticized Romano's ruling and said he intended to appeal her decision to the state supreme court: "Judge Romano's decision puts the integrity and security of Iowa’s elections at risk by making it easier to cheat. The purpose of this rule is to ensure that county auditors obtain information missing from an absentee ballot request form from the source: the requesting voter."[47]

### League of United Latin American Citizens of Iowa challenges voter ID law (2018)[edit]

On May 30, 2018, the League of United Latin American Citizens of Iowa and Taylor Blair, a student at Iowa State University, filed suit in the Iowa District Court for Polk County against Secretary of State Paul Pate (R), alleging that HF 516, legislation that imposed a voter ID requirement and made other changes to state election law, illegally impaired the ability of Iowans to vote. The plaintiffs asked that the court issue a preliminary injunction to block implementation of the law. Joe Enriquez Henry, national vice president of the League of United Latin American Citizens, said, "We clearly see it as an attack on the Latino community placing so many different restrictions on the right to vote. We see this stuff already playing out. It is reducing the number of voters we see within the Latino community who want to vote that are having to face these restrictions and it's just wrong."[48]

In a statement, Pate said, "My office has not received any official notification of a lawsuit filed against us. However, based on materials provided to us by the media, I am disappointed at this effort to politicize Iowa's voting process, apparently timed to disrupt the June 5 primary elections. This is a baseless and politically motivated lawsuit, paid for by the Democratic Party's top super PAC."[48][49]

On July 24, 2018, the district court granted the plaintiffs' request for temporary injunctions against several parts of HF 516, including a provision shortening the duration of the absentee voting period from 40 to 29 days. The court also ordered Pate to ensure that all voter education materials addressing voter identification requirements note that identification would not be required in 2018 (though voters could still be asked to present identification).[50]

On August 10, 2018, the Iowa Supreme Court upheld the district court's temporary injunction. However, according to WQAD, the order "[did] allow the state to narrow the time frame for casting absentee ballots to 29 days from 40 days," effective for the November general election.[51]

## Contact information[edit]

### Election agencies[edit]

Seal of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission

See also: State election agencies

Individuals seeking additional information about election administration in Iowa can contact the following local, state, and federal agencies.

Iowa County Auditor/Commissioner of Elections

Click here for a list

Iowa Secretary of State Office

First Floor, Lucas Building

321 E 12th St

Des Moines, Iowa 50319

Phone: 515-281-0145

Toll free: 1-888-767-8683

Fax: 515-281-4682

Email: sos@sos.iowa.gov

Website: http://sos.iowa.gov/elections/

Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board

Jessie Parker Building
510 E. 12th St, Suite 1A

Des Moines, Iowa 50319

Phone: 515-281-4028

Fax: 515-281-4073

Email: ethicsboard@iowa.gov

Website: https://ethics.iowa.gov

U.S. Election Assistance Commission

633 3rd Street NW, Suite 200
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: 301-563-3919
Toll free: 1-866-747-1471
Email: clearinghouse@eac.gov
Website: https://www.eac.gov

## Ballotpedia's election coverage[edit]

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## See also[edit]

* Election laws and legislation in Iowa
* State of Election Administration Legislation Reports
* Factors affecting the speed of ballot counting and delivery of unofficial election results
* Voting in Iowa
* Ballot access requirements for political candidates in Iowa
* Redistricting in Iowa

### Elections in Iowa[edit]

* Iowa elections, 2025
* Iowa elections, 2024
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* Iowa elections, 2018
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* Iowa elections, 2015
* Iowa elections, 2014

## External links[edit]

* Iowa Secretary of State - Elections & Voting
* Iowa Secretary of State - Am I Registered to Vote?

## Footnotes[edit]

1. ↑ We use the term "absentee/mail-in voting" to describe systems in which requests or applications are required. We use the term "all-mail voting" to denote systems where the ballots themselves are sent automatically to all voters. We use the hyphenate term for absentee voting because some states use “mail voting” (or a similar alternative) to describe what has traditionally been called "absentee voting."
2. ↑ Iowa Secretary of State, "Find Your Polling Place," accessed July 21, 2025
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 The Iowa Legislature, "I.C.A. § 49.74," accessed July 21, 2025 Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; name "sf413" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; name "sf413" defined multiple times with different content
4. ↑ Iowa Secretary of State, "Voter Registration," accessed July 21, 2025
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Iowa Secretary of State, "Election Day Registration," accessed October 6, 2025
6. ↑ Iowa Secretary of State, "Election Day Registration," accessed July 21, 2025
7. ↑ Iowa Secretary of State, "State of Iowa Official Voter Registration Form," accessed July 21, 2025
8. ↑ Under federal law, the national mail voter registration application (a version of which is in use in all states with voter registration systems) requires applicants to indicate that they are U.S. citizens in order to complete an application to vote in state or federal elections, but does not require voters to provide documentary proof of citizenship. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the application "may require only the minimum amount of information necessary to prevent duplicate voter registrations and permit State officials both to determine the eligibility of the applicant to vote and to administer the voting process."
9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 Iowa Secretary of State, "Absentee Voting," accessed July 21, 2025
10. ↑ The Iowa Legislature, "I.C.A. § 53.8," accessed July 21, 2025
11. ↑ The Iowa Legislature, "I.C.A. § 53.18," accessed July 21, 2025
12. ↑ Iowa Secretary of State, "Voter ID FAQ," accessed October 6, 2025
13. ↑ Iowa Secretary of State, "Iowa Voter Identification Requirements," accessed October 6, 2025
14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 Iowa Secretary of State, "Election Day FAQ," accessed October 6, 2025
16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 National Conference of State Legislatures, "Provisional Ballots," accessed October 6, 2025
17. ↑ Iowa Secretary of State Website, "Voter Registration FAQ," accessed October 20, 2025
18. ↑ Iowa General Assembly, "Iowa Code § 43.42," accessed October 20, 2025
19. ↑ The Iowa Legislature, "I.C.A. § 49.109," accessed July 21, 2025
20. ↑ The Iowa Legislature, "I.C.A. § 39A.4," accessed July 21, 2025
21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 Office of the Governor of Iowa, "Gov. Reynolds signs Executive Order to restore voting rights of felons who have completed their sentence," August 5, 2020
22. ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "Restoration of Voting Rights for Felons," accessed July 21, 2025
23. ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "Felon Voting Rights," April 6, 2023
24. ↑ As of May 2024, the Justice Department notes, "Six States (Idaho, Minnesota, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Wisconsin, and Wyoming) are exempt from the NVRA because, on and after August 1, 1994, they either had no voter-registration requirements or had election-day voter registration at polling places with respect to elections for federal office."
25. ↑ The United States Department of Justice, "The National Voter Registration Act of 1993," accessed May 29, 2024
26. ↑ The Iowa State Legislature, "I.C.A. § 48A.30," accessed July 21, 2025
27. ↑ The Iowa State Legislature, "I.C.A. § 48A.28," accessed July 21, 2025
28. ↑ The Iowa State Legislature, "I.C.A. § 48A.29," accessed July 21, 2025
29. ↑ ERIC, "FAQ," accessed May 29, 2024
30. ↑ ERIC, "Who We Are," accessed May 29, 2024
31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 Twitter, "Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate," accessed April 7, 2023
32. ↑ Electronic Registration Information Center, "Who We Are," accessed April 3, 2023
33. ↑ The Iowa State Legislature, "I.C.A. § 50.51," accessed July 21, 2025
34. ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "Post-Election Audits," accessed July 21, 2025
35. ↑ 35.0 35.1 National Conference of State Legislatures, "Post-Election Audits," accessed July 2, 2025
36. ↑ Election Assistance Commission, "Election Audits Across the United States," accessed July 2, 2025
37. ↑ Ballotpedia research conducted in October 2024, researching and analyzing various state websites and codes.
38. ↑ The Iowa Legislature, "I.C.A. § 47.1," accessed July 21, 2025
39. ↑ All About Redistricting, "Why does it matter?" accessed April 8, 2015
40. ↑ Indy Week, "Cracked, stacked and packed: Initial redistricting maps met with skepticism and dismay," June 29, 2011
41. ↑ The Atlantic, "How the Voting Rights Act Hurts Democrats and Minorities," June 17, 2013
42. ↑ Redrawing the Lines, "The Role of Section 2 - Majority Minority Districts," accessed April 6, 2015
43. ↑ 43.0 43.1 43.2 43.3 43.4 All About Redistricting, "Iowa," accessed April 21, 2015
44. ↑ 44.0 44.1 Iowa Legislature, "SF568," accessed June 22, 2021
45. ↑ 45.0 45.1 The Des Moines Register, "Gov. Kim Reynolds signs law shortening Iowa's early and Election Day voting," March 8, 2021
46. ↑ Polk County District Court, "League of United Latin American Citizens of Iowa v. Pate: Petition in Law and Equity," March 9, 2021
47. ↑ 47.0 47.1 Des Moines Register, "Iowa voter ID law: Judge strikes rule on absentee ballots as 'irrational, illogical and wholly unjustifiable,'" January 24, 2019
48. ↑ 48.0 48.1 Des Moines Register, "Voter ID lawsuit: Civil rights group, ISU student to sue Iowa secretary of state," May 31, 2018
49. ↑ Office of the Iowa Secretary of State, "Secretary Pate statement on reports of lawsuit filed against HF 516," May 30, 2018
50. ↑ Iowa District Court for Polk County, "League of United Latin American Citizens of Iowa v. Pate: Ruling on Plaintiffs' Motion for a Temporary Injunction," July 24, 2018
51. ↑ WQAD, "Iowa Supreme Court halts absentee issues in voter ID law," August 14, 2018

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