What to know as early voting begins in Iowa for 2026 general election

Early voting has officially begun in Iowa, as of Wednesday, Oct. 14, for the 2026 general election.

Iowans will have an early chance to weigh in on their choice for Iowa governor, U.S. senator and representative, as well as a number of state legislative and local races and a constitutional amendments in the Nov. 3 election.

County auditors are able to begin sending out requested absentee ballots Wednesday. To participate in the election by mail, voters must submit an absentee ballot request, which can be downloaded from the Iowa Secretary of State’s website, to their local county auditor’s office. When requesting a ballot, Iowa voters must provide proof of identification through the ID number on their driver’s license or non-operator’s ID, or by using the four-digit PIN found on their voter identification card.

Iowans could begin submitting their absentee ballot requests August 25. The final day to submit the request is Monday, Oct. 19 — the form must be received by the county auditor by 5 p.m. in order for the request to be fulfilled. In order for completed mail-in ballots to be counted, the county auditor’s office must receive the ballot by 8 p.m. Nov. 3, the time polls close on Election Day.

In addition to mail-in ballots going out, Wednesday is also the first day Iowa voters can begin voting early at in-person locations. Iowa county auditors are able to host in-person early voting sites at their county auditor’s office and designated satellite polling locations. Locations, information and hours can be found on the websites of voters’ county auditor’s offices. Find your local county auditor here.

Voters must be registered to participate in early voting and they can register at the polling place. Iowa offers same-day registration for both early voting and on Election Day.

To register to vote in person, Iowans must bring an accepted form of identification as well as proof of residence through documents like a residential lease or utility bill to their polling location. People who do not have these required documents can still vote if a registered voter from their precinct attests for them, with both parties signing an oath that the statements made were true.

Voters whose ability to cast a ballot is challenged, such as for a lack of identification or proof of residency, can cast a provisional ballot. They would have until noon on the Monday after Election Day to supply proof of their identity and residency so their vote can be counted.

When participating in both early and Election Day voting, Iowans already registered to vote are also required to bring valid identification, like a driver’s license, U.S. passport, or signed Iowa Voter Identification Card.

Additionally, Iowans can register to vote online through the Secretary of State’s website with their Iowa driver’s license or non-operator ID information, or can register by filling out and returning a registration form to their county auditor’s office. Eligible voters must be U.S. citizens, Iowa residents and 18 years old by Election Day to register.

In addition to voting on candidates in the election, voters will have the chance to weigh in on a constitutional amendment. The proposal would add to the Iowa Constitution a requirement for future increases to personal and corporate income taxes to require a two-thirds majority vote of state lawmakers in order to go to the governor’s desk. If a simple majority of voters approve of the language in the ballot measure, the state constitution will be amended.