DES MOINES, IOWA (March 29, 2022) — Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate announces the absentee ballot request period for the June 7 primary election is now open. Voters wishing to cast their ballot through the mail can submit their request for an absentee ballot beginning today. Iowa law allows a seventy-day request-period for absentee ballots.

County auditors can begin mailing absentee ballots twenty days ahead of Election Day, which will be Wednesday, May 18.

DES MOINES, IOWA (March 17, 2022) — Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate announces the State of Iowa ranked third best in the nation for administration of the 2020 elections, according to new data. The Elections Performance Index, compiled by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Election Data and Science Lab, ranks states based on voter turnout, voter registration rate, and overall administration of elections.

DES MOINES, IOWA (March 7, 2022) — Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate is a finalist for a prestigious award from the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) based upon his initiative to improve voter-access for Iowans with disabilities. Sec Pate collaborated with Disability Rights Iowa to produce the Voting Accessibility Quick Check Guide and distribute one to every polling place in the state.

DES MOINES, IOWA (February 28, 2022) — The candidate filing period for state and federal offices in the 2022 primary and general elections began Monday, February 28, and runs through Friday, March 18, 5PM. Candidates must file their nominating petitions and affidavits of candidacy with the Office of Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate, either in the Capitol Building or in the Lucas Office Building.