A step-by-step guide on how to register to vote in 2024

Here is a complete guide on how to register to vote in Iowa.

If you want to vote in Iowa, the first thing you have to do is to register. This guide will take you through the steps of voter registration so you can cast a ballot in any Iowa election.

Check if you’re registered

To find out if you’re registered, all you have to do is go to the Iowa Secretary of State’s website. Fill out the boxes with your name and zip code, and you’ll be directed to a page showing your status and where you’re supposed to vote (your polling location) based on your zip code.

If you aren’t yet registered, keep reading.

Requirements

To qualify to register to vote, you have to meet a few requirements.

1. Be a US citizen.
2. Be an Iowa resident.
3. Be at least 17.
4. Can’t be a convicted felon unless you’ve had your voting rights restored.
5. Be judged mentally incompetent to vote by a court.
6. Claim the right to vote in any other place.

In Iowa, you can vote if you’ll be 18 on or before Election Day. For example if your 18th birthday is in June, but you want to register in April when you’re still 17, you can do so. For primary elections, 17-year-olds can vote if they’ll be 18 by the regular election in November.

You can register to vote online or download a form to turn in or mail to the auditor before the election.

Online registration

If you have a valid Iowa license or non-operator ID, you can register to vote online.

Follow this link, which will take you to the Iowa Department of Transportation’s website. Fill out the information as the forms show up on screen, just know you’ll need to provide your name, birth date, the last five digits of your social security number, and the number on your license or non-operator ID.

Registration by mail (or in person)

With or without ID, you can also print and fill out this one-page form from the Secretary of State’s website. You can then mail it to your auditor’s office or take it to them in person.

To find your auditor and their office address, check here. Then, be sure you sign and date the form, and the auditor will send you a voter registration card within two weeks.

College students

If you’re in college, you can register to vote at your home address or your college address. You have to pick one, though.

When to register

The deadline for registering online or by mail is 15 days before Election Day. That means you have to finish the online form or have the mail postmarked 15 days before Election Day. In 2024, that day is October 21.

However, Iowa also has same-day registration and the requirements are mostly the same.

Same-day registration

Iowa also has same-day registration, which means you can go to your polling location on Election Day and register to vote before you get a ballot. You can’t do this online or by mail.

When you get to your polling location (which you can find here) you’ll have to provide proof of your identity with a photo ID. These are the types of ID accepted:

• Iowa non-operator ID.
• Out-of-state driver’s license or non-operator ID.
• U.S. passport.
• U.S. military or veteran ID.
• ID card issued by employer.
• Student ID issued by Iowa high school or college.
• Tribal ID card/document.

If your photo ID doesn’t have your current address, you’ll also have to provide proof that you live where you say you do by showing some document, like a paycheck or bill, that has your address on it. These are some of the things you can use to show proof of residence: 

• Residential lease.
• Utility bill (including a cell phone bill).
• Bank statement.
• Paycheck.
• Government check or other government document.
• Property tax statement.

If you can’t do either of the above, another registered voter like a neighbor or friend at the polling place can vouch for you. Both you and the other person will have to swear an oath that you’re telling the truth. The penalties for lying are a $10,245 fine and/or up to five years in prison.