Iowa (IA)

Eligibility

Age: 18 (may pre-register at 17)

ID Requirements

To Register: IA driver's license or non-operator ID number, or last 4 of SSN. Online registration requires both an IA DL/ID number AND the last 5 digits of SSN (uniquely, five digits rather than four). If neither, county auditor assigns a PIN; must show ID when voting.

To Vote: Photo ID required

Registration Methods

• Online: Residents can submit a voter registration application electronically through the state's website, rather than by mail or in person.
• Mail: Residents can register to vote by completing a paper registration form and submitting it by mail to the appropriate election office.
• In Person: Residents can register to vote by visiting a designated government office, such as a county clerk's office or DMV, and completing a registration form on site.

Early Voting ⓘ

A period before Election Day during which voters can cast their ballots in person at designated polling locations. The length of the early voting period varies by state.

Early voting begins 20 days before election day.

Mail-In / Absentee Voting ⓘ

A voting method where ballots are automatically mailed to all registered voters without requiring a specific request. States that use this approach conduct elections primarily or entirely by mail.

No-excuse absentee voting available for all registered voters.

Felony Voting Rules ⓘ

State laws governing whether and when people with felony convictions can vote. Policies range from no restrictions to permanent disenfranchisement, with most states restoring rights at some point after sentencing.

Rights restored automatically upon completion of sentence, including probation, parole, and any special sentence (as of 2020 executive order for most felonies).

Documentation Needed

• Valid photo ID
• Proof of residency for same-day registration

Sources

• Iowa Official Election Website
• Vote.org - Iowa