Unofficial 2026 Iowa primary turnout up from 2022

More than 19% of the state’s registered voters participated in the 2026 primary election, up from more than 16% in the 2022 primaries, according to unofficial results from the Iowa Secretary of State.

Unofficial results also show that 411,525 total ballots were cast in this year’s primary, compared to 356,140 in 2022. 

Fewer voters cast ballots early or by mail. Out of the total ballots, 68,489 absentee ballots were cast. In 2022, 73,868 absentee ballots were cast during the first statewide primary election following the COVID-19 pandemic, when absentee voting remained more common than in previous election cycles.

Election Day registration data and party turnout figures have not yet been released. 

As of June 1, Republicans held a statewide registration advantage with 649,349 active voters compared to Democrats, who had 500,432 active voters. There were 588,009 active Iowa voters were not registered with a party. Independent voters can cast ballots in the primary but they have to change their party registration at the polls.

Voters selected nominees in several high-profile races, including the Democratic U.S. Senate primary, where state Rep. Josh Turek defeated state Sen. Zach Wahls and the GOP gubernatorial primary where Zach Lahn, a farmer and businessman, defeated four other candidates, including U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra, who was endorsed by President Donald Trump.

The results will remain unofficial until county officials certify their results at their canvasses.