make your voting plan

We know you care about elections – that they are safe and accessible for all people who can vote. Interfaith Alliance of Iowa and Action Fund certainly care, too. “Defend democracy” is even in our mission statement! We can’t defend our democracy if we don’t have free and fair elections.

It’s critically important that Iowa’s progressive faith community be involved to ensure free and fair elections and that every voter is able to vote without fear.

We are committed to protecting elections in Iowa. We urge you to do this work alongside us!

Voting is power and one of the most important ways to be heard in a democracy. Ensuring everyone eligible can vote is critically important. It is work that Interfaith Alliance of Iowa and Action Fund are committed to support.

Important 2026 dates in Iowa:

• Tuesday, August 25: Request for an absentee ballot begins.
• Wednesday, October 14: Early voting begins. Absentee ballots mailed by county auditors. Early in-person voting at county auditor offices.
• Monday, October 19:  Last day to submit absentee ballot request to county auditor.
• Monday, October 19: Last day for new voters to register to vote (online, by mail, or in person at county auditor’s office). Same day registration available on Election Day.
• Monday, November 2: Early voting ends.
• Tuesday, November 3: 2026 General Election. Bring your ID to your polling location! Iowa allows same day voter registration. Absentee ballots must be received by county auditor by 8:00 PM or can be surrendered at election polling location.

Are you registered to vote?

• Check your voter status to ensure you are listed as an "active" voter.
• If you need to register to vote or you know someone in Iowa who is not registered to vote, Iowa’s Secretary of State website has the updated voter registration form on its website. Just print it, fill it out, sign it, and return it to your county auditor.
• Registration on Election Day
  You may register and vote on election day. You first must go to the correct polling place for your current address on election day. If you are unsure of your polling place, Find Your Precinct/Polling Place. At the polling place, you must prove both who you are and where you live. The best way to do this is with your valid Iowa driver’s license with your current address printed on it. More examples can be found on the Secretary of State's website.
• Check out more details about voting in Iowa at the Secretary of State’s Iowa Voters Pocket Guide.

Vote early!
Why vote early? If you wait until the last minute to vote, unexpected problems can get in the way of casting your ballot. But when you vote early, you give yourself more flexibility and peace of mind. It helps you avoid long lines, confusion around election rules, misinformation, or any last-minute issues that arise. And it helps reassure voters – especially from marginalized communities – who don’t feel safe going to the polls or that their vote will count.

our elections need you!

It takes many people to ensure our elections remain free and fair and, truthfully, just so they operate smoothly. In Iowa, there are two ways you can be part of elections on Tuesday, November 3, and ensure our elections are successful: you can volunteer to be a poll worker or a poll watcher.

‍POLL WORKER
Why be a poll worker? Poll workers ensure our elections run smoothly and that every voter has the ability to vote. Learn more about what poll workers do and how to get involved.

Apply to become a poll worker by contacting your county auditor or through the Secretary of State website. Visit https://sos.iowa.gov/auditors to find your county auditor.

‍POLL WATCHER
What does a poll watcher do? A poll watcher is a person who has official permission to be at the polling place on election day or in the room where absentee ballots are counted before the polls close. Poll watchers represent a political party or campaign. To become a poll watcher, contact either political party.

‍Iowa GOP
Contact the local county GOP organization to volunteer as a poll watcher.

‍Iowa Democrats
Contact the local county Democrat organization to volunteer as a poll watcher. Democrats also have an on-line poll watcher training. Click for more information and to register to attend.