Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5. The 2024 general election in Iowa includes the races for president, Congress, the Iowa House, some Senate districts and some county offices, in addition to two constitutional amendments, and in Johnson and Story counties, conservation bonds.
Q: When are polls open on Tuesday? Also, where do I vote?
A: Voting starts at 7 a.m. and ends at 8 p.m., although if you’re in line when the clock strikes 8, you will still be allowed to cast a ballot. If you haven’t voted since the 2020 presidential election, take note of the 8 p.m. closing time for the polls. Voting on Election Day used to go to 9 p.m., but in 2021, Gov. Reynolds signed into law new restrictions on voting that cut both the number of days for early voting and the time polls are open on Election Day.
Anyone unsure where to vote can use the online look-up tool on the Iowa Secretary of State’s site. Just enter your zip code and street to find your precinct’s poll site. (If you’re not sure what your zip code is, the Post Office has its own online look-up tool for that.)
Don’t go to the auditor’s office. That was a site for early voting, not voting on Election Day.
Q: What sort of ID do I need to vote?
A: The following types of ID are acceptable under the 2017 voter ID requirements Gov. Branstad signed into law in 2017.
• Iowa Voter Identification Card
• Iowa Driver’s License
• Iowa Non-Operator ID
• U.S. Military ID or Veteran ID
• U.S. Passport
• Tribal ID Card/Document
If your ID doesn’t have your current address on it, you’ll need one of the following documents as proof of residency.
• Residential lease
• Utility bill, including a cell phone bill
• Bank statement
• Paycheck
• Government check
• Other government document
• Property tax statement
Q: Can I vote if I don’t have the right kind of ID with me?
A: Possibly. Registered voters who don’t have the right ID can cast a provisional ballot if another registered voter in that precinct, who has the right type of ID in hand, is willing to attest the ID-less voter’s identity. The voter then has until noon on the Monday following the election to present the needed form of ID at the county auditor’s office in order to have the provisional ballot counted.
Q: I want to vote, but I’m not registered. What do I need to do?
A: Iowa has same-day registration, so any adult citizen who goes to the precinct that corresponds to their home address, and hasn’t been stripped of the right to vote by order of a judge or because they have not completed all court-imposed requirements following a felony conviction (or were convicted of an offense under Chapter 707 of Iowa Code), can register and immediately exercise the franchise.
To register on Election Day, you’ll need one of the forms of ID listed above. If your ID does not have your current address, you’ll need of the proofs of residency also listed above.
Q: I’ve moved since the last time I voted, but never updated my voter registration. Should I just go to my old precinct to vote?
A: No. You vote where you live. You can update your registration on Election Day at the polling place if your current residence, using the ID and/or proofs of residence listed above.
Q: Is assistance available for voters with disabilities?
A: Yes. Each precinct should have two officials — a Democrat and a Republican — designated to assist voters with special needs. If the voter prefers to have someone other than the designated officials assist, that person will have to sign an Affidavit of Voter Requesting Assistance, according to the Iowa Secretary of State.
Curbside voting is also available for those unable to easily exit their vehicles. Once alerted to a voter requesting the curbside option, the two appointed precinct officials will bring a ballot to the voter.
Anyone with questions about assistance with voting should call their county auditor’s office.
Q: I’ve filled out the absentee ballot and want to use that instead of voting in person. What do I do?
A: Well, it’s too late to mail it, but you can still deliver your completed and sealed absentee ballot to your county auditor’s office or deposit it in the official dropbox adjacent to the auditor’s office. To be counted, absentee ballots must be received by the time the polls close at 8 p.m. on Tuesday.
If you’re unsure where your county auditor’s office is located, you can find its address by using the look-up tool on the Iowa Secretary of State’s site.
