How To Exercise Your Right To Vote in Iowa

Iowa is one of 20 states (plus Washington, D.C.) that allows residents to register to vote up until and on the day of an election. Research suggests that Election Day registration increases voter turnout from 3 to 7 percent, with an average of 5 percent. Iowa also allows early voting and absentee voting with an absentee ballot.

Who Can Vote in Iowa?

To register to vote in Iowa, a person must be a U.S. and Iowa citizen and at least 17 years old. You have to be 18 to vote; however, you can vote in a primary election when you’re 17 if you’ll turn 18 before the corresponding regular election.

Iowa law defines a person’s residence as the place in which they declare their home with the intent to remain there permanently or for a definite, indefinite, or indeterminable length of time. Iowa residents who then move out of state are still eligible to vote in Iowa until that person is eligible to vote in their new state.

Restored Voting Rights for Iowans with Felony Convictions

Iowa residents convicted of a felony under Iowa or federal laws can’t vote until their voting rights are restored. Previously, all individuals with felony convictions had to apply online through the Iowa governor’s office for executive clemency to restore their right to vote. However, in 2020, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed an executive order making the restoration of voting rights automatic upon completion of the felony sentence.

An exception to Reynolds’ executive order concerns individuals convicted of a felony under Iowa Code Chapter 707 (homicide and related crimes, including convictions under Iowa’s abortion ban). Such individuals still have to appeal to the governor’s office for voting rights restoration.

How To Register To Vote on Election Day

Iowans can check online to see if they are registered to vote with the secretary of state’s office. Regardless, eligible voters can register to vote on Election Day by appearing in person at their precinct’s polling place. They must complete a voter registration application and provide proof of identity and residence.

Proof of Identity

The best way to establish identity and residence is to present a current and valid Iowa driver’s license or non-operator identification card. You can also present any of the following current and valid forms of identification:

• U.S. passport
• U.S. military ID
• Employee ID card
• High school or college ID
• Tribal ID
• Out-of-state driver’s license or non-driver ID

The voter’s identification must contain the voter’s photograph and an expiration date showing when it is no longer valid.

Proof of Residence

If the photo identification does not contain a current address, a voter may use another document to prove where they live. Acceptable forms of a voter’s proof of residence include:

• Residential lease
• Utility bill
• Bank statement
• Paycheck
• Government check or document

If these methods are unavailable, Iowa law allows the use of attesters: A registered voter from the precinct who can vouch for the voter’s identity and residence.

Inactive Voter Registration Purges

Under a 2021 law signed by Gov. Reynolds, registered voters who did not vote in the last general election are moved to inactive status. The law impacted hundreds of thousands of Iowa voters. Inactive registration status is the first step toward having your voter registration canceled. According to the Iowa Secretary of State, active voter registration can be restored by requesting an absentee ballot, voting in an election, submitting a new registration, or updating your voter registration before the end of the 2026 general election.

Seek Further Legal Help

Iowa voters who experience problems with their registrations at the polls should seek the advice of an experienced civil rights attorney, who can inform them of their rights and options.