Tuesday, November 3, 2026
Iowa General Election
Every Iowa voter will see the statewide races below.
Election Day
U.S. House and local races for Iowa are coming soon. To see your full ballot now, use Iowa Secretary of State: Elections & Voting.
Statewide races
On every Iowa ballot.
Key dates
- Wed, October 14, 2026: Early (in-person absentee) voting beginsCounty auditors also begin mailing absentee ballots.
- Mon, October 19, 2026: Voter pre-registration deadlineAfter this, you can still register and vote at your polling place on Election Day with proof of identity and residence.
- Mon, October 19, 2026: Absentee ballot request deadlineRequests must be received by your county auditor by 5 p.m.
- Mon, November 2, 2026: Last day of in-person absentee voting at county auditor offices
- Tue, November 3, 2026: Election DayPolls open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Absentee ballots must be received by your county auditor by 8 p.m. (a postmark is not enough). Voted absentee ballots cannot be dropped off at polling places.
Sources: Iowa Secretary of State: Absentee Voting; Iowa Secretary of State: Voter Registration; Iowa Secretary of State: Election Day (Election Day registration); Poweshiek County Auditor: 2026 General Election dates; Iowa Public Radio / Iowa Capital Dispatch: Absentee ballot requests begin in Iowa for Nov. 3 election (Aug. 2026). Check with your local election office for early-voting hours and locations.