How to request an absentee ballot and vote by mail in Iowa for the 2024 general election

There are still two months left until Election Day in November but Iowans can start requesting absentee ballots now.

Here is everything to know about absentee voting in Iowa:

How can I request an absentee ballot in Iowa?

Iowans can begin requesting absentee ballots 70 days before the election. To request an absentee ballot, registered voters have to download an absentee ballot request form and mail or return it to their county auditor.

The deadline to request an absentee ballot is 15 days before the election, Monday, Oct. 21. County auditors must receive your request by 5 p.m. to send you a ballot.

When do absentee ballots arrive in the mail?

Absentee ballots will begin arriving at residences in October. Oct. 16 is the first day county auditors can mail out absentee ballots.

Iowans can track the status of their absentee ballot on the Secretary of State's website by entering their full name and date of birth.

When do absentee ballots need to be mailed in to count for the election?

Absentee ballots must be returned by mail or dropped off in person to your county auditor's office by 8 p.m. on Election Day Nov. 5.

How do I register to vote/what if I'm not registered yet in Iowa?

Iowans can register to vote ahead of the election online on the Iowa DOT website or by downloading a form from the Secretary of State and mailing it to the local county auditor.

Iowa voters also can register to vote at the polls on Nov. 5 but must bring proof of identity and residency, like a utility bill, paycheck, or lease.

To qualify to register to vote, you must:

• Be a U.S. citizen.

• Be an Iowa resident.

• Be at least 17 years old as long as you will turn 18 on or before Election Day.

• Not be judged mentally incompetent to vote by a court.

• Not claim the right to vote in any other place.

How to see if I am registered to vote?

Iowans can check to see if they are registered to vote on the Secretary of State's website.

Des Moines Register reporter Stephen Gruber-Miller contributed to this article.

Jessica Rish is an entertainment, dining and business reporter for the Iowa City Press-Citizen. She can be reached at [email protected] or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @rishjessica_

This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: How to request an absentee ballot in Iowa: Key dates, guidelines