DES MOINES, IOWA (September 15, 2026) — Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate is encouraging Iowans to make their plan to vote in the upcoming General Election, held Tuesday, November 3. Sec Pate encourages every eligible Iowan to make their voices heard this election, and reminds Iowans that it’s never too early to make their plan to vote.
Iowans can vote absentee by mail, absentee in-person, and in person on Election Day.
Iowans can begin casting ballots for the 2026 General Election on Wednesday, October 14. This date marks the first day of Iowa’s absentee period, and the first day Iowans can vote in person absentee at their local county election office. October 14 also marks the first day county auditors can mail absentee ballots to those who have requested them.
Sec Pate is also urging Iowans to submit their absentee ballot requests early — written applications for mailed absentee ballots must be received by the county auditor’s office no later than 5:00 p.m. on Monday, October 19. Marked absentee ballots must be returned to the county auditor’s office by the time polls close on Election Day, November 3, 8PM. The United States Postal Service (USPS) encourages voters to put their ballot in the mail at least one week before Election Day to ensure it arrives on time.
"Making your voice heard this Election starts with making a plan to vote," said Sec Pate.
"Whether you vote absentee in-person, absentee by mail, or in person on Election Day, we want to see every eligible voter cast a ballot this Election, and to feel confident in Iowa's election process."
Iowan remains a top-ranked state nationally for election administration, thanks to the state’s layered approach to election security, which includes paper ballots, voter ID, pre-election equipment testing, post-election audits, and cyber- and physical-security measures.
"Election integrity and voter participation are not opposing values – they are the same value," said Sec Pate.
"We work hard to ensure Iowans have confidence in our elections process, and we know that the more trust Iowans have in our elections process, the more likely they are to participate."
All registered voters are eligible to make written requests for absentee ballots. In order to receive an absentee ballot, registered voters must provide the following information on the request form:
- Name
- Date of birth
- Iowa residential address
- Iowa Driver’s License or Non-Operator ID Number OR
- Four-digit Voter PIN found on voter’s Iowa Voter ID Card. Any voter can request an Iowa Voter ID Card by contacting their County Auditor’s Office.
- Name or date of the election for which a voter is requesting the absentee ballot
- Signature and date the form was completed
Absentee ballot request forms are available for download directly from the Iowa Secretary of State website, voterready.iowa.gov. Requests to receive a ballot by mail must be received by the County Auditor’s office by Monday, October 19, no later than 5PM. In-person absentee voting at the county auditor’s office is available through November 2, the day before the election.
