IOWA, USA — Iowans are just over two months away from Election Day. For voters who are worried about not being able to make it to the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 5, requesting an absentee ballot is the easiest way to ensure you can make your voice heard.
Registered voters in Iowa can request an absentee ballot through their county auditor starting Tuesday, Aug. 27.
How to request an absentee ballot in Iowa
If you want to vote absentee in Iowa, your first step is to complete an absentee ballot request form. Download and print the form here. Alternatively, voters can call their county auditor or the Secretary of State's office (515-281-0145) to receive a paper form.
Once the form is filled out, Iowans should mail or drop off the form at their county auditor's office.
Iowans must be a registered voter and provide the following information to receive an absentee ballot:
- Name
- Date of birth
- Iowa residential address
- Voter Verification Number
- Iowa Driver's License or Non-Operator ID Number OR
- Four digit Voter PIN on Voter ID Card
- Name or date of election
- Signature
Absentee ballot requests do not need to be notarized or witnessed in Iowa.
The deadline to request an absentee ballot is Monday, October 21, or 15 days before the election.
Iowans mailing their applications should do so sooner rather than later: the voter's county auditor must receive the request by no later than 5 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 21.
After receiving a request form, the county auditor will mail the voter an absentee ballot, along with instructions on how to mark and return the ballot.
Counties will not send absentee ballots to voters any earlier than Wednesday, Oct. 16, or 20 days before the election.
Who can vote in Iowa?
Iowa voters must meet the following qualifications:
Be a U.S. citizen.
Be a resident of Iowa.
Be at least 17 years old – a person who will be 18 on or before the general election can vote in the corresponding primary.
Not been convicted of a felony unless you have had your rights restored.
Not currently be judged by a court to be “incompetent to vote.”
Not vote in more than one place.