116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
What you need to know about voting in Iowa’s city and school elections
Iowans will vote for nonpartisan city council, mayor and school board offices. In some communities, voters also will be asked to decide ballot measures.
Early voting in Iowa’s city and school elections began last week, ahead of the election on Nov. 7.
Iowans will vote for nonpartisan city council, mayor and school board offices. In some communities, voters also will be asked to decide ballot measures.
“City and school elected officials play a critical role in our day-to-day lives, so it’s vitally important for Iowans to make their voices heard in November’s elections,” Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate said in a statement released this month. “The best way to make your voice heard is to vote, and to be successful in voting, Iowans should solidify their voting plans early.”
Sample ballots
View the sample ballots based on your precinct for the Nov. 7 city and school elections:
• Linn County sample ballot: Enter your address on the county elections site.
• Johnson County sample ballot: The county auditor’s site shows sample ballots for city and school offices and issues.
How to register to vote
Voters can check their registration at Iowa’s secretary of state website, sos.iowa.gov. If you are not registered, or you moved or changed your name or party affiliation since you last voted, you may need to update your registration.
Iowa residents with a state driver’s license or non-operator’s ID can register online at the Iowa DOT website, mymvd.iowadot.gov/voterregistration.
Residents who want to register by paper can print a form from the Iowa secretary of state’s website and either take it to their county auditor’s office or send it in the mail.
To be eligible to register, you must meet the following requirements:
- Be a U.S. citizen.
- Be an Iowa resident.
- Be at least 17 years old, and at least 18 on or before Election Day.
- Not judged mentally incompetent to vote by a court.
- Not claim the right to vote anywhere else.
An Iowa ID is required to register online, but it is not required to register at a county auditor’s office. However, Iowa voters do need a valid ID to vote, whether that’s early or on Election Day.
Voters who want to register before Election Day must register 15 days early, by Monday, Oct. 23. Voters who miss that deadline can register to vote on Election Day. An ID and proof of residence are required to register at the polling location. Valid proof of residence includes:
- Residential lease
- Utility or cellphone bill
- Bank statement
- Paycheck
- Government check or other government document
- Property tax statement
How to vote early by mail
Voters who want to cast a ballot by mail can do so by absentee ballot.
An absentee ballot can be requested from your county auditor by filling out a request form, which can be found online, and sending it through the mail or taking it to the auditor’s office in person.
The absentee ballot request must be received by your county auditor by Monday, Oct. 23, if you plan to vote by mail.
When returning an absentee ballot, it must be received by the county auditor’s office by 8 p.m. Nov. 7. Any ballot received after that date cannot be counted.
You will need the following information to fill out your absentee ballot request form:
- Name
- Date of birth
- Iowa residential address
- Driver’s license number or non-operator’s ID or the four-digit voter PIN located on the back of your Voter ID Card
- The name or date of the election for which you are requesting an absentee ballot
How to vote early in person
Iowa voters can cast an early ballot in person at a satellite voting location or at your county auditor’s office. Most auditor’s offices are open for early voting during business hours between now and the Monday before the election.
Check with your county auditor’s office for a list of satellite early voting locations.
The Linn County Auditor’s Office has identified three satellite locations:
- Lindale Mall, 4444 First Ave. NE, Cedar Rapids, Oct. 18 through Nov. 5. Tuesday through Saturday: 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Sunday: noon to 4 p.m.
- Cedar Rapids Downtown Library, 450 Fifth Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids. Nov. 4: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Cedar Rapids Ladd Library, 3750 Williams Blvd. SW, Cedar Rapids. Oct. 27 and Oct. 28: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Oct. 29: 1 to 5 p.m.
How to vote on Election Day
To vote on Election Day, voters will need to go to their local precinct. You can find your precinct at the secretary of state’s website, or through your local county auditor.
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 7.
Iowa requires an ID to vote, so you will need to take your driver’s license or non-operator ID. Voters who do not have a driver’s license can obtain an Iowa Voter ID card when they register to vote. Other acceptable IDs include a passport, military or veteran ID or tribal ID card.
A voter without an ID can have another person attest to their identity, or cast a provisional ballot and provide an ID before the votes are canvassed.
If you register on Election Day, you also will need to provide a proof of residence. More information can be found at the Iowa Secretary of State website.
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