print | email

Iowa

A State-by-State Guide to Absentee Voting

How do I request an absentee ballot?
Fill out the form available here

Where do I send the request?
You can fax your absentee ballot request to the county auditor’s office. You must also mail the original request to the county auditor and the request must be received by 5pm on the Friday before the Election.

What is the deadline for requesting an absentee ballot?
Find the mailing address for your local County Auditor’s Office here. The ballot will be mailed to you as soon as it is ready. If your absentee ballot request is received after the ballots are printed, it will be mailed within 24 hours. If your ballot is delayed, check with the county auditor’s office to be sure that the request was received. Request must be received by 5 PM the Friday before the election:
January 11 for the Primary Election
October 31 for the General Election

What is the voting procedure?
You must return your absentee ballot even if you do not vote absentee. After receiving an absentee ballot, if you decide to vote at your polling place on Election Day, turn in the absentee ballot at the polls. You will be asked to vote on special ballot if you do not turn in your absentee ballot.

What are the deadlines for voting absentee?
 By Mail: Ballot must be postmarked by the day before Election Day and received by noon the Monday after most elections. For school elections and some city and special elections, there may be an earlier deadline. Read the instructions sent with the ballot.

In Person: Ballots may be taken to the county auditor’s office by the voter or someone the voter chooses. In order to be counted, ballots must be returned to the county auditor’s office before the polls close on Election Day: Presidential Caucus: January 3 General Election: November 4

What are the election dates and deadlines for 2008?
School Election: September 9 (Registration closes August 29) General Election: November 4 (Registration closes October 25)

How do I contact the Secretary of State / election officials?
Michael Mauro
Secretary of State
Statehouse, Des Moines, IA 50319
http://www.sos.state.ia.us/
E-mail:sos@sos.state.ia.us
Tel: 515-281-8993
Fax: 515-242-5952

Is permanent absentee status available?
No.

Additional information:
Absentee ballot information here.