Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. Polling places are open across Iowa from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., and voters in line by 9 p.m. can vote. Here’s how to successfully cast your ballot on Election Day in Iowa:
Look up your polling place.
Many voting locations have changed because of the pandemic. Look up your polling place here.
Bring an ID.
This is Iowa’s first presidential election with a voter ID law in place. These are the accepted IDs:
- Iowa Driver’s License
- Iowa Non-Operator ID
- Iowa Voter Identification Card
- Military ID or Veteran ID
- U.S. Passport
- Tribal ID Card/Document
If your ID expired in 2020, you may use it to vote in this election.
If you don’t have any of these forms of ID, you can bring Election Day registration documents or have another voter registered in the precinct attest to your identity. If you don’t have any of those with you, poll workers should offer you a provisional ballot. You can vote the provisional ballot, and if you return to the county election office with proper ID in the days following Election Day, your vote will get counted.
Iowans can also register to vote at their polling place on Election Day. If you need to register or update your registration, and your ID doesn’t have your current address on it, be prepared to show proof of residence.
Many Iowans with felony convictions have had their voting rights restored. Find more information here.
As COVID-19 cases increase, protect yourself and those around you.
Public health experts strongly recommend wearing a mask and eye protection when voting in person. Wash and/or sanitize your hands. Practice social distancing when waiting to vote.
If you tested positive for coronavirus or had a known exposure:
Election officials recommend curbside voting (stay in your car and vote) to avoid spreading the virus.
If you received an absentee ballot but haven’t returned it:
Fill it out, sign and seal the affidavit envelope, and return it to your county election office (NOT your polling place) by 9 p.m. on Nov. 3. It is too late to mail your ballot.
Or, you can vote in person on Election Day. Bring your blank ballot to your polling place and surrender it to the poll workers before you vote.
If you requested an absentee ballot, but it hasn’t arrived or you lost it:
Vote in person on Election Day. You’ll be asked to vote a provisional ballot as a safeguard against double voting. It will be counted in the week after Election Day as long as the election office doesn’t receive your voted absentee ballot in the mail.
If you returned your absentee ballot but you're not sure if it was received:
Check the state's absentee ballot tracker to see the date it's received by your county auditor.
