2026 Primary Election
June 2, 2026
Primary ElectionArchived Election Details
Dates & Deadlines
Federal & State Candidates: Must file with Secretary of State Office in Des Moines
- Federal & State Candidate Filing Starts – February 23, 2026
- Federal & State Candidate Filing Deadline – March 13, 2026
County Candidates:
- County Candidate Filing Starts – March 2, 2026
- 1st day to submit Absentee Ballot Request Form – March 24, 2026
- County Candidate Filing Deadline – March 20, 2026
- Absentee Ballots Ready to be Mailed – May 13, 2026
- Voter Pre-Registration Deadline – May 18, 2026
- Last Day Auditor's office can mail out Absentee Ballots – May 18, 2026
Quick Links:
- Iowa Secretary of State website – Primary Election Page
- Candidate’s Guide - 2026 Primary Election
- Affidavit of Candidacy
- Nomination Petition
Absentee Voting In-Person:
Available at the Auditor's Office from May 13, 2026 to June 1, 2026,
8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with extended hours on:
- Monday, May 18, 2026: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Voter Pre-Registration Deadline)
- Friday, May 29, 2026: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Absentee Affidavits Review Deadline)
- Saturday, May 30, 2026: 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (Early Voting Opportunity)
Polling Hours
7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Candidate Information
Important Information
- Voter ID will be required on Election Day. Voters going to the polls on Election Day will be required to provide ID in order to cast a regular ballot.
- Effective October 1, 2019, voters are required to provide either their driver's license or non operator's ID number or their four digit voter PIN when requesting an absentee ballot be mailed to them or when voting absentee at the courthouse.
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