★ Easiest in Iowa
Option 1 of 3
Vote early, in person
- When
- Oct 14 – Nov 2
20 days · weekday hours vary
Loading lookup…
Reduced from 29 to 20 days by SF 413 (2021).
Iowa
You have three ways to cast a ballot. Here's the easiest one for you.
Option 2 of 3
Vote by mail
- When
- Request by Oct 19
- Return deadline
- Must arrive by Election Day
No excuse required
Return by mail or at any drop box, vote center, or county office
Option 3 of 3
Vote on Election Day
- When
- Tue, Nov 3
Polls open on Election Day
Loading lookup…
── Pick your voting day
When will you vote?
Pick a date below. We'll show you what to expect.
October 2026
Election DayEarly voting windowMail ballot deadline
── Build your voting plan
Save all your important voting dates to your calendar with one click.
Includes 3 events: early voting, mail ballot deadline, and Election Day. Adjust later in your calendar app.
Generated locally in your browser. Nothing sent anywhere.
── Take it with you
Make a card you can share or print.
A pocket-sized Iowa voting plan you can download to your phone, share with a friend, or print on a 4×6 card.
Make my plan card── Your 2026 federal races
What's on your federal ballot
U.S. Senate: Open seat. Senator Joni Ernst announced they are not seeking reelection.
Senator Ernst announced she is not seeking reelection. The seat is open.
For specific candidates and updates, visit your state's official election office (opens in new tab).
U.S. House: All 4 of Iowa's House seats are on the ballot.
For specific candidates, visit your state's official election office (opens in new tab).
Last updated: May 3, 2026. Race information changes as candidates file and primaries finalize. Always verify with your state's election office for the most current information.
── What to bring
Iowa requires photo ID.
Bring one of these
- Driver's license or state-issued non-driver ID
- U.S. passport or passport card
- Military or veteran ID
- Tribal enrollment card
- Concealed carry permit (in some states)
Lists vary by state. Iowa's full accepted-ID list is on its election authority site.
── Registration
Same-day registration available, including on Election Day.
Not registered yet? Register at vote.gov (opens in new tab). It's the federal government's portal and routes you to Iowa's election authority.
Trouble at the polls?
Long lines, broken machines, anyone challenging your right to vote. Call. Lawyers answer in seconds.
Sources
- Iowa election authority via vote.gov (opens in new tab)
- In-repo data file
data/states.ts· last reviewed 2026-04-30