(Des Moines) Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate is reminding Iowans to make a plan to participate in June’s Primary Election and note upcoming deadlines for absentee ballots.
Iowans can begin casting ballots for the 2026 Primary Election on Wednesday, May 13. 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. May 13 also marks the first day county auditors can mail absentee ballots to those who have requested them.
Secretary 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, May 18. Marked absentee ballots must be returned to the county auditor’s office by the time polls close on Election Day, June 2, at 8:00 p.m. 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.
“Primary elections matter. Now is the time to make your plan to vote and have an impact on who advances to the general election,” said Secretary Pate. “Our Primary Election decides who will appear on the ballot in November, and has a profound impact on the direction of our state, national policies, and the leaders who shape our communities.”
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
All eligible voters are also encouraged to provide a phone number and email address in the event their county auditor needs to confirm any information on the request form.
“It’s never too early to make your plan to vote, and voting absentee by mail or in person is a safe and secure method to make sure your ballot is cast this June,” added Secretary Pate. “Whether you vote early or on Election Day, Iowans can trust that their votes will be counted accurately and fairly.”
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, May 18, no later than 5:00 p.m. In-person absentee voting at the county auditor’s office is available through June 1, the day before the election.
