The complete guide to voting Nov. 7!
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Election Day (Nov. 7) is in less than two weeks.
While you won’t be voting for president, governor, or federal or state legislators in Iowa, odd-year elections like this are when voters elect candidates to key local offices, like city councils and school boards.
Since Iowa combined city and school elections into one, in 2019, turnout has increased rapidly. In the first combined election, turnout was up 156% over prior school-only elections, as 358,000 Iowans cast a ballot. That increased even more by 2021, when 425,000+ Iowans did so.
But while turnout for these crucial elections is increasing, it’s still not even a quarter of all registered voters in the state. That means the vast majority of Iowans aren’t bothering to pick the people who decide how and whether to:
- increase or lower your property taxes
- fix your roads
- pay teachers better
- stop book banning and start supporting students
If you want to make your voice count, here is a brief guide on how to do that, step by step. (And if you’re already in the know or already voted, pass this along using the Share with a Friend button at top right!)
Happy voting!
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How to Register to Vote in Iowa:
You can still register at the polls, whether you’re voting on Election Day, or early in-person (absentee) at your county auditor’s office. You must register if you recently turned 18, if you’ve moved from a different county or state, or if you haven’t voted in a while.
You’ll need your identification and something that proves you live at the address you say you live at, like a utility bill. (Find all documents that will work here.)
Don’t have any of that, or forgot to bring it to the polls? Another registered voter from your precinct can “attest” that you are who you say you are, and live where you say you live. (Learn more about that here.)
Once you’re registered, you can vote right away. (Not sure if you’re already registered? Find out here.)
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Voting early in-person:
Find your county auditor’s office here. It will tell you the physical address, the hours it’s open (which is when you can go vote), and a phone number to call for more questions.
You can go there to register and vote—they will have voting booths in the actual office. It’s just as if you mailed in an absentee ballot, but in person instead!
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Felony conviction? You may be able to vote.
In Iowa, your right to vote is taken away if you have been convicted of a felony. But in 2020, the governor signed an executive order restoring the right to vote for individuals charged with most felony crimes, once they’ve completed their sentence, including probation. In some cases, individuals may have to apply to have their voting rights restored.
Read more about it here. (If your rights are restored, you can register and vote as normal!)
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How to Vote:
In Iowa, all ballots are marked on paper. You will be provided a ballot and a pen or marker.
To mark your ballot, fill in the oval next to your choice. You can vote the entire ballot, or only particular races—whichever you choose. If you make a mistake on your ballot, no worries; you can ask an election official for a replacement ballot.
Accessible ballot marking devices are available at each polling place for those who need assistance, and election officials can also bring a ballot to your car for folks who might have trouble getting inside. The idea is that everyone should get the chance to vote!
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My ballot, showing the mayor, city council and school board races I get to vote on. (Your ballot will vary!)
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Did you already (or are you going to) vote absentee by mail? Track your ballot here to make sure it got counted.
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If you want to retain Iowa teachers, vote in school board elections:
Want to stop the mass exodus of quality teachers from leaving Iowa? Want to make sure they’re not only paid fairly, but feel like their district has their back? Turns out, your vote on Nov. 7 could mean the difference between a school board that cares about teachers and a board that just wants to score political points.
Six districts where right-wing candidates are bringing culture war to school board: National politics set the tone for a fair amount of school board races in Iowa two years ago, and this year promises more of the same.
Stakes are high in Johnston School Board elections: With four of its seven seats up for election, this year’s Nov. 7 school board race in Johnston will decide whether a group of right-wing officials establish full control of the district and continue the culture war push that has been injected into local schools.
State’s largest vouchers, book ban backers endorse in Johnston School Board race: One of the most powerful social conservative lobbying groups in Iowa is getting involved in school board races, and the Johnston School District has emerged as one of its top targets.
Lya Williams wants to stop book bans, expand STEM in Johnston schools:
The Johnston School Board election is Nov. 7, and Williams is one of eight candidates in the race vying for four open seats. If elected, one of her top priorities would be protecting intellectual freedom and fighting back against book bans—something she has some experience with.
Read all of our candidate and election coverage at iowastartingline.com.
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