How Do I Register to Vote?

Before you can cast your vote, you need to register. Registering to vote is easy. You can pre-register to vote online, by mail, or at your county auditor’s office. If you miss pre-registration, you can also register on election day. Iowa Code Chapter 48A covers voter registration in Iowa.

If you can’t remember if you already registered to vote, check the Secretary of State’s “Am I Registered to Vote in Iowa?” page to search for yourself. Make sure your information is up-to-date. If you change your name, you’ve moved to a new address, or you would like to change your party affiliation, you must update your registration.

• Registering before the election
• Registering on election day

Registering before the election

The Secretary of State’s website has information on how to register to vote before an election by mail, in person at your county auditor’s office, or online.

The pre-registration deadline is 15 days before the election in which you plan to vote. Check with your county auditor for the date that falls on before an election. If you miss this deadline, don't worry! You can still register using the Election Day registration process explained below.

The Secretary of State also created a video with information on how to register to vote:

Registering on election day

If you did not register before the election, you can still register at the polls (your voting location) on election day. To register on election day, you will need to fill out a voter registration form and prove your identity and residence. Iowa Code section 48A.7A and Iowa Administrative Rule 721.21.3.

The Iowa Secretary of State’s Election Day Registration page provides details on the proof of identity and residence required to register on election day.