Voting Information

Voting Information

Voting can be a powerful component of civic engagement. Whether you’re voting in 51��app or your hometown, here are deadlines, events, requirements, options, and information on how to vote.

Important Iowa Dates for the Nov. 5, 2024, General Election

Tuesday, Aug. 27: First Day to File Absentee Ballot Request with County Auditor
Tuesday, Sept. 17: A non-partisan voter registration drive will be held from 8:45 a.m. to 5 p.m., on Tues., Sept. 17, as part of . Tables will be set up in Noyce, JRC, and HSSC, at which students can register to vote in Iowa, verify their registration in Iowa, or gain information about voting in their home state.
Wednesday, Oct. 16: First Day of Absentee Voting
Thursday, Oct. 17: Early/Satellite Voting: , Joe Rosenfield ’25 Center, Room 101, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. CT.; Voters may register to vote, vote in person, and remit an absentee ballot
Monday, Oct. 21: Pre-registration Deadline; Deadline to Request Absentee Ballot to be Mailed received by County Auditor prior to 5 p.m. CT.
Monday, Oct. 21: Early/Satellite Voting: Drake Community Library (930 Park St.), Caulkins Community Room, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. CT.; Voters may register to vote, vote in person, and remit an absentee ballot
Monday, Nov. 4: Absentee Ballot In-Person Deadline
Tuesday, Nov. 5: Absentee Ballots Receipt Deadline; Election Day

Iowa’s polls are open from 7 a.m until 8 p.m. CT. Absentee ballots must be received in your county auditor’s office prior to 8 p.m. CT on Election Day.

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Step 1: Get Informed

All campus community members are encouraged to education themselves about political and civic issues, and to become knowledgeable about their respective representatives, ballot initiatives, and candidates for office.

Attend a Campus Educational Event: Check out “civic engagement” events on the for upcoming educational events, discussions, and watch parties.

Learn about Iowa’s governmental structure and processes: Iowa’s Governmental Structure

Check out additional resource.

Step 2: Decide Where to Vote

51��appians represent nearly every state in the nation. Some may choose to register and vote in Iowa, while others may choose to register and vote in their home state. Others may vote while studying outside of the country.

Voting in Iowa

Voting Out of State

Step 3: Register

Register to vote or update your voter registration: offers national registration information.

Register to vote in Iowa: by the Iowa Secretary of State also offers the ability to register or check your registration.

To qualify to vote in Iowa, you must be:

A U.S. citizen,
An Iowa resident, and
At least 17 years old. A person may vote if they will be 18 years old on or before election day. In the case of primary elections, a person may vote if they will be 18 years old on or before the corresponding regular election.

You cannot:

Be a convicted felon (unless your have been restored),
Be judged mentally incompetent to vote by a court, or
Claim the right to vote in any other place.

Students will receive their proof of residency in their student email account prior to the election. You will be allowed to provide this proof digitally at the polling location.

Step 4: Make a Plan

Vote by Mail

Vote in Person in Iowa

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