Elections
Iowa 2026 Primary Election: Date, Rules & What to Know
The Iowa 2026 congressional primary was held on June 2, 2026. General Election Day is November 3, 2026.
Live on Congress Countdown
See Iowa's current congressional delegation
Term end dates, party breakdown, and which seats are on the November ballot.
Iowa U.S. Senate Primary — Results
Open seat — Sen. Joni Ernst declined to seek a third term.
November nominees
These two face off on November 3, 2026 in a single-winner plurality contest.
Competitive U.S. House Races
Iowa has 1 U.S. House district rated a toss-up for 2026 (rating: Cook Political Report (June 2026)). These are among the seats most likely to decide control of the House.
IA-1
Toss-upIncumbent: Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R)
November ballotMariannette Miller-Meeks (R) vs Christina Bohannan (D)
SourceGeneral Election · November 3, 2026
What's on the Iowa 2026 Ballot
U.S. House of Representatives
All U.S. House seats in Iowa are on the 2026 ballot. Every House member runs for re-election every two years. View Iowa representatives →
U.S. Senate — Class II Seat
Iowa's Class II Senate seat is up for election in 2026. The current senator is Joni Ernst (R) — retiring; open seat. Class II senators were last elected in 2020 and serve six-year terms.
Iowa's Primary System: Partisan Closed Primary
Iowa holds a closed primary, meaning you must be registered with a political party to vote in that party's primary. Independent and unaffiliated voters cannot participate unless they re-register with a party before the registration deadline.
Iowa 2026 Election Key Dates
| June 2, 2026 | Primary Election (passed) |
| October 2026 | Voter registration deadlines (check your state) |
| November 3, 2026 | General Election |
| January 3, 2027 | 120th Congress convenes |
Voter Registration in Iowa
You must be registered with a political party to vote in that party's primary. Independent/unaffiliated voters cannot participate unless they re-register before the deadline. Registration deadlines vary — most states require registration 15–30 days before the primary, though some offer same-day registration.
Check your registration status and find your polling place at vote.gov.
See All State Primary Dates
Compare Iowa's primary to other states' 2026 schedules.
Sources
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Iowa 2026 U.S. Senate primary?
Ashley Hinson won the Republican nomination with 73.9% of the vote, and Josh Turek won the Democratic nomination with 62.6%. They advance to the general election on November 3, 2026.
Who is running for U.S. Senate in Iowa in November 2026?
The November 3, 2026 ballot features Ashley Hinson (R) vs Josh Turek (D) for Iowa's U.S. Senate seat.
When is the Iowa primary election in 2026?
The Iowa 2026 congressional primary is June 2, 2026. The general election is November 3, 2026.
Can I vote in the Iowa primary if I'm not registered with a party?
You must be registered with a political party to vote in that party's primary. Independent/unaffiliated voters cannot participate unless they re-register before the deadline.
What is on the Iowa 2026 primary ballot?
All U.S. House seats in Iowa are on the 2026 primary ballot. Additionally, the U.S. Senate seat (Class II) is up for election. The current senator is Joni Ernst (R) — retiring; open seat. Many states also hold primaries for governor and state legislature on the same day.
What type of primary does Iowa use?
Iowa holds a closed primary, meaning you must be registered with a political party to vote in that party's primary. Independent and unaffiliated voters cannot participate unless they re-register with a party before the registration deadline.
When is the Iowa voter registration deadline for the 2026 primary?
Voter registration deadlines vary but are typically 15–30 days before the primary. Because Iowa has a closed primary, you must also be registered with a party before the deadline to vote in a party primary. Check the Iowa Secretary of State website or vote.gov for the exact deadline.
When is the Iowa general election in 2026?
The 2026 general election is on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. This date is the same for all 50 states — it is always the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November in even-numbered years.
Which U.S. House races in Iowa are competitive in 2026?
Iowa has 1 U.S. House district rated a toss-up by Cook Political Report (June 2026). Decided November matchups: IA-1 (Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R) vs Christina Bohannan (D)).