Iowa’s early voting for the 2026 primaries begins — here’s what to know

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) - Early in-person voting begins as we hit 20 days out from Iowa’s June 2 primary.

Iowans will have the opportunity to chose their preferred Democrat or Republican leaders to represent them in office. See a list of all the candidates registered for the primary here.

Early in-person voting will be available at your county’s auditor’s office. Find your local county auditor here.

Most counties will have early voting open until 5 p.m. on June 1. For more information on hours, visit your county’s website.

Some counties may also have satellite voting locations. For those, you will also want to check your county’s website.

Mail-in voting

In order to vote by mail, you must send an application to your county auditor. The form can be found on the Iowa Secretary of State’s website. The deadline for auditors to receive those forms is 5 p.m. on May 18.

Mail-in ballots must be returned by 8 p.m. on Election Day.

Voting requirements

You must be a registered voter to participate in early voting. Iowa offers same-day registration for early voting as well as on Election Day.

Iowans can register to vote on the Secretary of State’s website with a Iowa driver’s license or non-operator ID information, or can register at their county auditor’s office.

You must be an Iowa resident, U.S. citizen and 18 years or older by election day to register.

Iowans must choose either a Democrat or Republican ballot when you vote in the primaries. You can change this party affiliation on Election Day.