IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS
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NOTICEThe Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) reporting requirement is now in effect. This federal requirement is not related to the Iowa Secretary of State. For more information and to file a report if your business needs to do so, visit: https://www.fincen.gov/boi

Register to Vote and Request an Absentee Ballot

Register to Vote and Request an Absentee Ballot

Other Ways to Register and Request a Ballot

Register to Vote

You may also register to vote by completing a voter registration form and returning it to your county auditor.


Register to Vote and Request an Absentee Ballot

If you would like to register to vote and request an absentee ballot, you may:

  1. Complete and sign a federal postcard application (FPCA) and return it to your county auditor.

  2. Complete and sign an absentee ballot request form. Return the completed form to your county auditor.

  3. Write a letter to your county auditor. Include the following information:

    • Name,
    • Date of birth,
    • Iowa residence, including street address,
    • Party affiliation (primary elections only),
    • Address to which your ballot should be sent,
    • Statement explaining why you are eligible to receive a ballot as a military/UOCAVA voter (ex. I am a member of the U.S. Army serving overseas), and
    • Your signature.

Your absentee ballot request does not have to be witnessed or notarized.

If you would like to request a copy of an absentee ballot request form or a FPCA, please email uocava@sos.iowa.gov.

Request Deadlines

  • Receive Ballot By Email or Fax

  • If you wish to receive your ballot by email or fax, your request must be received in the county auditor’s office by the close of business on the Monday before the election.

    You must provide a valid email address or fax number.

  • Receive Ballot by Mail

  • If you wish to receive your ballot by mail, your request must be received in the county auditor’s office by 5 p.m. on the Friday before the election.

    Request your ballot early to ensure you receive it early enough to return it on time. If you are unsure if you will receive your ballot on time, you may ask the county auditor to email or fax your ballot to you.

    If your request is received so late that it is unlikely the absentee ballot can be returned by mail in time to be considered for counting, the county auditor will enclose a statement to that effect with the absentee ballot.