A Guide to Voting in the November 2026 Election
The decisions made by elected officials affect many parts of daily life from schools and roads to taxes and public safety.
They also shape healthcare.
Over the past few years, Iowa has enacted significant changes affecting reproductive healthcare, including the state's six-week abortion ban, new restrictions on medication abortion and telehealth care, and laws that impact how healthcare providers can deliver care. At the same time, many Iowa communities continue to face provider shortages, growing maternity care deserts, and hospital closures.
These policies were made by elected officials, and future laws will be too.
Whether healthcare, education, the economy, or your local community is your top priority, voting is one of the most direct ways to help shape Iowa's future.
This guide brings together everything you need to know before Election Day, November 3, 2026.
Key election dates
- General Election: November 3, 2026
- Voter registration deadline: October 19, 2026
- Early voting begins: October 14, 2026
For full election timelines, view Iowa’s official calendar here.
Why your vote matters
In Iowa, elections can be decided by extremely small margins. In one recent congressional race, the outcome was determined by just six votes.
That’s a reminder that individual participation can directly influence outcomes at the local, state, and national level.
Read more about that race here.
How to register to vote in Iowa
There are multiple ways to register:
1. Register online
- mymvd.iowadot.gov/Account/Login?ReturnUrl=%2fVoterRegistration
- vote.org
- rockthevote.org/how-to-vote/iowa
2. Register by mail
- Registration form:
sos.iowa.gov/elections/pdf/voteapp.pdf - Rules and requirements:
sos.iowa.gov/voters/voter-registration - County auditor list:
sos.iowa.gov/auditors
3. Register on Election Day
Iowa allows same-day registration.
Learn how here.
Voter ID requirements
View accepted forms of ID here.
Voting Absentee (By Mail)
If you prefer to vote from home, Iowa allows you to vote absentee by mail. This can be a helpful option if you’re unable to vote in person or want to plan ahead.
Step 1: Request Your Ballot
Your absentee ballot request must be received by your county auditor by October 19, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.
You can request your ballot through your county auditor or learn more about the process here.
Step 2: Return Your Ballot
Your completed ballot must be received by your county auditor by 8:00 PM on Election Day, November 3, 2026.
Important to Know
- Ballots must be received by Election Day (postmarks do not count)
- You can return your ballot by mail or deliver it in person to your county auditor
- Planning ahead helps ensure your ballot arrives on time
Who’s on the ballot: November 2026 general election
The November 3, 2026 general election will decide who holds these offices for the next term.
Federal Offices
- U.S. Senate (open seat)
- U.S. House of Representatives (all 4 Iowa seats)
State Legislature
- Iowa House of Representatives (all 100 seats)
- Iowa Senate (25 of 50 seats)
Statewide Offices
Local Offices
- County supervisors
- County attorneys
- Sheriffs and other roles
Also on the ballot: Iowa voters will decide a proposed constitutional amendment that would require a two-thirds vote in the Iowa Legislature to raise individual or corporate income tax rates. It will appear on the same ballot as candidate races.
Explore candidates and races here.
How to understand where candidates stand
Voting isn’t just about showing up, it’s about understanding how elected officials make decisions.
One of the most direct ways to do that is by reviewing voting records.
- Iowa Senate Journal:
https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/SJNL/20230711_SJNL.pdf#page=18 - Iowa House Journal:
https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/HJNL/20230711_HJNL.pdf#page=12
These records show how legislators voted on real bills.
To see how recent healthcare laws in Iowa were passed and how legislators voted, read more here.
Staying informed
Laws that affect healthcare, access, and communities are shaped through this process.
Understanding how legislation works and how elected officials vote is an important part of staying informed and engaged.
The bottom line
Voting in Iowa is accessible, with multiple ways to register and participate, even on Election Day, November 3, 2026.
If freedom matters to you, the right to vote is one of the most important ways to exercise it.
For more reproductive rights information and updates on Iowa healthcare access, visit our resources page or sign up for our newsletter.
Empower change.
Sign up for our newsletter and stay informed on reproductive healthcare issues in Iowa.
