Here's how to request an absentee ballot in Iowa for the 2024 election

Iowans who would like to vote by mail in this year's election can request an absentee ballot starting Tuesday, Aug. 27.

Adams County Auditor Becky Bissell, president of the Iowa State Association of County Auditors, said election officials can start mailing ballots to voters on Oct. 16. But she said it’s good for Iowans to request ballots sooner rather than later to allow for processing at the auditor’s office and for possible mail delays.

"It’s really important to get them in ahead of time so that you have more days at home to fill out your ballot, and then that also gives you more days that you can get it mailed back to us," Bissell said.

Republicans in the Iowa Legislature passed sweeping voting law changes in 2021 that included shortening the time allowed for voting by mail, voting early in person and voting in person on Election Day.

In order to vote by mail in Iowa, you must submit a written application for a mailed absentee ballot , which must be received by your county auditor no later than 5 p.m. 15 days before Election Day. This year, Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5, so your request must be received by your county auditor by 5 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 21.

How to vote by mail in Iowa

If you need to register to vote

If you have not voted in Iowa, or haven't voted in a while and want to, the first thing you need to do is check to see if you are registered or get registered . You should also update your voter registration if your name, address or party affiliation has changed.

In order to register to vote in Iowa you must:

• be a citizen of the United States
• be a resident of Iowa
• be at least 17 (you must be 18 on Election Day to vote)
• not currently be judged by a court to be "incompetent to vote"
• not claim the right to vote in more than one place

The governor restored voting rights to most Iowans with felony convictions who have completed their sentence, including probation, parole and special sentences. There are some exclusions. Find more details here .

The deadline for voter pre-registration is Monday, Oct. 21. Iowans who miss that deadline can register to vote at their polling place on Election Day.

When you are registered to vote:

1. Print an absentee ballot request form or call your county auditor and ask them to send you a request form.
2. Complete the ballot request form, sign and date it.
3. Find your county auditor's address.
4. Mail your absentee ballot request to your county auditor.
5. Wait for your ballot to arrive. Counties can start mailing ballots on Oct. 16.
6. Complete your ballot when you receive it and mail or bring it back to your county auditor right away. The new law says absentee ballots must be received by your county auditor by 8 p.m. on Election Day in order to be counted.

In 2020, the Iowa secretary of state and several county auditors mailed absentee ballot request forms to all active registered voters. They are no longer allowed to do that under state law. If you choose to use a ballot request form sent by a different group, make sure it requires the same information as the state’s official ballot request form and that the return envelope is addressed to your county auditor.

Tips for completing your absentee ballot request form

• Complete all fields and double-check your work to make sure your information is correct.
• You are not required to include your phone number and email address on your ballot request form, but election officials have encouraged voters to provide their phone number and/or email address. If there is a problem with your request, contact information can help your county auditor get in touch with you faster and resolve any issues.
• The "ID Number” field asks for an Iowa driver’s license number, a state ID number OR a "four-digit voter PIN.” If you have an Iowa driver’s license or an Iowa state ID, you can use that number, and you do not need a voter PIN.
• If you do not have an Iowa driver’s license or state ID, you should receive an "Iowa Voter Identification Card” in the mail after you register to vote. The four-digit PIN on that card goes in the "four-digit voter PIN” field on your absentee ballot request form. If you don’t have a voter ID card, call your county auditor. Note: a voter ID card is NOT the same as a voter registration card. Your voter PIN is NOT the last 4 digits of your Social Security Number.
• Sign and date the form.

Reminder: your ballot request must be received by your county auditor by 5 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 21. But election officials recommend submitting your ballot request well before that deadline to allow for processing and mail times.

If you want to deliver your absentee ballot request in person, you'll need to hand your absentee ballot request form to someone at your county auditor's office by 5 p.m. on Oct. 21.

If you receive a phone call, letter or email from your county auditor about potential issues with your ballot request, respond to them as soon as possible to make sure you receive a ballot.

Track your absentee ballot

Iowa voters can track their absentee ballot on the secretary of state's website . Ballot requests will show up on this tracker when the county auditor receives the request and enters it into the election management system. County auditors can start mailing absentee ballots to voters Oct. 16, and then you can track your ballot through the absentee voting process. If you have concerns about your ballot request or ballot being received, you can call your county auditor. County auditors must receive your absentee ballot by 8 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 5, in order for your absentee ballot to get counted.

Voting in person early or on Election Day, Nov. 5, are also options for voting. Early in-person voting starts at county election offices on Oct. 16. Polling places will be open on Election Day, Nov. 5, from 7 a.m. - 8 p.m.

If you still have questions about absentee voting, contact your county auditor .

Iowans can also visit voterready.iowa.gov for voting information.

Download and print an absentee ballot request form