IOWA, USA — If you looked up your voter registration status and learned you're an "inactive" voter, you're not alone.
In Iowa, registered voters are marked inactive in the state's voter database if they fail to vote in the most recent general election.
The Iowa Secretary of State's office reported more than half a million Iowans were moved to inactive voter status following a maintenance process in 2023.
The office initially sent "No Activity" mailings to registered voters who did not participate in the 2022 election. Anyone who failed to respond to that mailing was subsequently marked inactive, according to a press release.
“This mailing is just one part of the process to ensure Iowa’s voter rolls remain up-to-date and as accurate as possible,” Secretary of State Paul Pate said in 2023. “It’s a crucial component to ensure clean, accurate and fair elections across the state.”
The same process occurred in 2021, when 294,000 registered voters were moved to inactive status.
Voter list maintenance occurs during the first quarter of each year, while "No Activity" mailings take place during each odd-numbered year.
To check and see if you are an inactive voter, all you have to do is check your voter registration status.
If you are marked inactive, don't fret: You can still vote on Election Day. Registered voters who are marked inactive can be moved back to "active" status by voting in an election, requesting an absentee ballot or updating their voter registration prior to the end of the 2026 general election cycle.
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