Iowa

1 Check ID Rules

IDs for Voting in Person

Accepted Photo IDs

Option 1: Photo ID

Must be unexpired or show no expiration date:

Can be expired up to 90 days

Iowa driver’s license
Iowa state ID card

Must be unexpired

Iowa Voter ID card
US passport or passport card
Tribal identification with signature
Military identification
Veterans identification

Option 2: Additional ID Documents

You can show:

One photo ID with expiration date	+		One non-photo ID with your current address

Accepted Photo IDs Must be unexpired		Common Examples Current within 45 days
Driver’s license issued by other state State ID card issued by other state Student ID issued by Iowa high school or college Employee ID	+		Utility bill (including cell phone bill) Bank statement Paycheck Residential lease Government check Other government document

Option 3: Confirm Identity

Another registered voter in your precinct can verify your identity if you do not have an accepted form of ID.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I don’t have the right ID to vote in Iowa?

Iowa voters who do not present an accepted form of ID at the polls have two options:

Another Voter Confirms Identity

You can vote without a photo ID if another registered voter in your precinct serves as a witness and confirms your identity.

Vote a Provisional Ballot and Return with ID

Vote a provisional ballot if you are not able to present ID or confirm your identity.

Provisional ballots make sure eligible voters are not rejected at the polls.

For your provisional ballot to count, you must submit an accepted form of photo ID to your county auditor’s office by the deadline provided to you at the polls.

Find your local office.

Can I use a digital or mobile ID to vote in Iowa?

You must present a physical ID to vote in Iowa. You cannot use an image, copy, or digital ID when you are voting in person.

Do I need a “REAL ID” to vote in Iowa?

You do not need a “REAL ID” to vote in Iowa.

REAL ID is a set of national security standards for states to follow when they issue driver’s licenses and state ID cards. Your ID will show a star if it meets REAL ID standards.

Applying for a REAL ID requires you to appear in person with a variety of documents to prove your identity.

Visit the Iowa DOT website to find out exactly what is required to get a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or state ID card.

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IDs for Voting by Mail

Request Ballot

Any registered Iowa voter can request an absentee ballot.

Give one of these numbers in your request:

Iowa driver’s license number
Iowa state ID card number
Iowa Voter PIN

How to Get Iowa Voter PIN

Voters without an Iowa driver’s license or state ID card receive an Iowa Voter ID card by mail.

Your PIN is the 4-digit number on this card.

If you don’t remember your PIN and need to use it, contact your local election office.

Return Ballot

You do not need to include ID or an ID number with your completed ballot.

Don’t forget to sign! Your signature on the ballot envelope will be compared with your signature on file.

2 Register

Iowa Voter Registration Requirements

You must register before you can vote in Iowa.

You are eligible to vote in Iowa if you meet all of the following requirements:

You are a citizen of the United States.
You are a resident of Iowa.
You are at least 18 years of age on Election Day.

You cannot register to vote in Iowa if:

You have been convicted of a felony and your civil rights have not been restored.

To register to vote:

You must provide your driver’s license number or state ID number if you have one.
If you do not have either of these IDs, you can use the last 4 digits of your Social Security number (SSN).
If you do not have a Social Security number, then leave that space blank on your registration form.

If you don’t provide any of these numbers or the state can’t match the number you provide to official records, you will have to show an accepted form of ID the first time you vote.

If you vote in person, present an accepted form of ID at the polls.
If you vote by mail, provide a copy of an accepted form of ID with your absentee ballot

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I register and vote on the same day in Iowa?

Yes, Iowa has same-day voter registration. Same-day registration allows you to register and vote in person on the same day. You can also use it to update your voter registration information.

The deadline to register to vote in Iowa is 15 days before Election Day.

If this registration deadline has passed, same-day registration is available in Iowa during early voting and on Election Day.

To use same-day registration must present an unexpired photo ID to confirm your identity. You can use one of the following IDs:

Iowa driver’s license
Iowa state ID card
Driver’s license or state ID card from another state
US passport or passport card
Tribal ID or document
Student ID issued by high school or college in Iowa
Military identification
Veterans identification
Employee ID

If your photo ID does not have your current address, you need to present an additional document to prove your residency (dated within 45 days). You can use a physical or digital copy of these documents:

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

If you can’t provide the required documents, another registered voter from your precinct can sign a sworn statement to confirm your identity and residency.

Can I register to vote in Iowa if I have been convicted of a crime?

Each state has its own laws about whether citizens with previous criminal convictions can vote.

To check your eligibility to register to vote in Iowa, use Restore Your Vote.

Can I register to vote in Iowa if I attend college in Iowa ?

College students are allowed to vote using their Iowa school residence address. You can decide if you prefer to register in your home state or in Iowa if you attend school there. You may only be registered and vote in one location.

You can use a student ID to vote in Iowa but you must also provide an additional document. Check your options here!

Register to Vote in Iowa

Submit the form below to register in Iowa.

Don’t have a state-issued ID? VoteRiders is here to help!

3 Vote

Voting in Person

Iowa requests photo ID to vote in person. If you don’t have an accepted photo ID, you can vote if you provide additional documents or if another voter confirms your identity.

Voting by Mail

Any registered voter can request an absentee ballot in Idaho. You don’t have to give a reason why you can’t vote in person.

Requesting an Absentee Ballot

You can request an absentee ballot from your county auditor’s office. You will be asked to provide one of the following numbers:

Iowa driver’s license number
Iowa state ID card number
Four-digit Voter PIN from your Voter ID card

You will receive an Iowa Voter ID card in the mail if you don’t have an Iowa driver’s license or state ID card.

If you can’t remember your Voter ID PIN and don’t have another accepted ID, contact your county auditor’s office.

Returning an Absentee Ballot

You do not need to include ID with your completed ballot. The signature on your ballot envelope will be compared to the one on file with the state.

Can I fix my Iowa mail ballot if it is rejected?

You must be notified if your ballot is missing your signature or if the signature on it does not match your signature in state records.

You can correct issues with your ballot if you are able to resubmit it before polls close on Election Day.

1 Check ID Rules

2 Register

3 Vote

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1 Check ID Rules

IDs for Voting in Person

Accepted Photo IDs

Option 1: Photo ID

Option 2: Additional ID Documents

Option 3: Confirm Identity

Frequently Asked Questions

IDs for Voting by Mail

Request Ballot

Return Ballot

2 Register

Iowa Voter Registration Requirements

Frequently Asked Questions

Register to Vote in Iowa

3 Vote

Voting in Person

Voting by Mail