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2026 Elections
How to Vote in Iowa: 2028 Deadlines, Early Voting & Poll Hours
Everything you need to vote in Iowa for the November 7, 2028 general election — when to register, when early voting opens, how to vote by mail, and when polls close.
Rules as of September 17, 2026 · verify at Iowa's official election site
Election Day
November 7, 2028
Quick Answer
- Register By
- 15 days before Election Day
- Early Voting
- Opens ≈ Oct 14, 2026
- Mail Ballot Request By
- 15 days before Election Day at 5 p.m.
- Polls Close
- 8 p.m. CT
- Election Day
- November 7, 2028
Build your Iowa voting plan
Choose how you plan to vote and we'll narrow the checklist below to the steps and dates that apply to you.
- 1
Register to vote online
mail registrations must be postmarked 15 days before Same-day registration runs during in-person absentee voting and on Election Day.
Official source →See rule
- 2
Register to vote by mail
15 days before Election Day Same-day registration runs during in-person absentee voting and on Election Day.
Official source →See rule
- 3
Same-day registration
Same-day registration is available during early voting and on Election Day.
Official source →Nov 7, 2028
- 4
See rule
- 5
See rule
- 6
Nov 7, 2028
What's on Your Iowa Ballot
Every U.S. House seat is up for election every two years. Whether a U.S. Senate seat is also on the ballot depends on the state.
U.S. House of Representatives
All of Iowa's U.S. House seats are on the 2028 ballot. View Iowa's current delegation →
U.S. Senate
On the ballotThe November matchup: Ashley Hinson (R) vs Josh Turek (D).
Iowa Supreme Court
Not this cycleNo Iowa Supreme Court seat is up in 2028. Local judges may be on your ballot too. How Iowa chooses its judges →
To see every race you will vote on — including judges and local measures — check your sample ballot from your county or local election office, starting at Iowa's official election site.
Find your Iowa representative and senators
Enter your address to see exactly who represents you before you vote.
Voter Registration in Iowa
To vote in the November 7, 2028 general election, register by 15 days before Election Day. Registering online or by mail follows a different rule: mail registrations must be postmarked 15 days before.
Iowa also allows same-day registration during early voting and on Election Day.
Same-day registration runs during in-person absentee voting and on Election Day.
Dates marked ≈ are computed from state statute and can shift with county practice. Confirm your exact deadline and check your registration status at Iowa's official site.
Early Voting in Iowa
Early voting opens ≈ October 14, 2026 — 20 days before Election Day. It runs through 5 p.m. day before Election Day.
Confirm exact locations and hours — which vary by county — at Iowa's official election site.
Voting by Mail in Iowa
Any registered voter in Iowa may request a mail ballot — no excuse required. Request deadline: 15 days before Election Day at 5 p.m..
Return rule: Must be received before close of polls on Election Day
Track your ballot: use Iowa's ballot tracker to see when your ballot was mailed, received and accepted.
Details and request forms are at Iowa's official election site.
Voter ID Requirements in Iowa
A non-photo document showing name and address (such as a utility bill or bank statement) is accepted alongside or instead of a photo ID.
NCSL classifies Iowa as "strict" non-photo ID.
See the full list of accepted ID at Iowa's official election site.
Poll Hours in Iowa
Polls are open until 8 p.m. CT on November 7, 2028.
See how Iowa's closing time compares nationwide on the full poll closing times by state page, or confirm your local hours at Iowa's official election site.
When Iowa Certifies Its Results
Election-night totals are unofficial. The count becomes official in two steps:
- Local: County boards of canvassers — by about November 16, 2026. Canvass on the first Tuesday after the election; results to the state within 13 days.
- Statewide: State Board of Canvassers — November 30, 2026 on the 2026 calendar. Deadline for the state canvass to begin; certification follows.
Certifying is a required step, not a second vote on the result. What happens if a local board won’t sign off, every state’s deadlines and how a result can be challenged are on how election results are certified.
Live on Congress Countdown
Live countdown to Election Day — and every date in between
Registration deadlines, early voting, and the full 2026 election calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the deadline to register to vote in Iowa?
15 days before Election Day Confirm the exact date at https://sos.iowa.gov/elections/voterinformation/voterregistration.html.
Can I vote early in person in Iowa?
Yes. Early voting opens around October 14, 2026 (20 days before Election Day) and runs through 5 p.m. day before Election Day.
Do I need ID to vote in Iowa?
A non-photo document showing name and address (such as a utility bill or bank statement) is accepted alongside or instead of a photo ID.
When do polls close in Iowa?
Polls close 8 p.m. CT on November 7, 2028.
How do I vote by mail in Iowa?
Request a ballot (no excuse needed) — 15 days before Election Day at 5 p.m.. Must be received before close of polls on Election Day
Is it too late to register to vote in Iowa?
15 days before Election Day Confirm at https://sos.iowa.gov/elections/voterinformation/voterregistration.html.
How do I track my mail ballot in Iowa?
Use Iowa's ballot tracker (https://apps.sos.iowa.gov/elections/absenteeballotstatus/absentee/search) to see when your ballot was mailed, received and accepted.
Where can I see a sample ballot for Iowa?
Your county or local election office publishes sample ballots before each election. They list every race you will vote on, including judges and local measures. Start at Iowa's official election site (https://sos.iowa.gov/elections/voterinformation/voterregistration.html).