Iowa Voter Registration Information

Primary Election
June 5, 2012

Primary Election Voter Registration Deadline
May 26, 2012

General Election
November 6, 2012

General Election Voter Registration Deadline
October 27, 2012

Voter Registration and Eligibility
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 auditor.

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

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.  Iowa does not have permanent absentee voting. Voters must complete a request for an absentee ballot for each election for which they would like an absentee ballot.  To obtain an absentee ballot click here and return it to your county auditor.  Additional information can be found here. 

PRIMARY ELECTION

Iowa has a closed primary election system, which means that only voters who are registered with a particular party can vote in the primary election, and they must vote in the primary of the party with which they are affiliated. Unaffiliated voters are ineligible to vote in the primary election.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

For additional information on the elections, please contact the Iowa Secretary of State at 515/281-0145.

For information on specific party requirements, contact your State Republican Party at 515/282-8105, or your State Democratic Party at 515/244-7292.

PROTECT YOUR SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHTS
BY EXERCISING YOUR RIGHT TO VOTE!