Who's on the ballot, and how to vote in Iowa for the 2026 primary

Des Moines Register

Updated June 2, 2026, 3:10 p.m. ET

Iowa's Primary Election Day has arrived, and we're here to help you vote.

Iowa voters can cast their ballots for a host of federal, state and local primary races that will determine who can be on the Nov. 3 general election.

Don't know what's on your ballot? We've gathered the information you need before casting your vote.

From voter registration deadlines to who's running and why, here's what Iowa voters should know before they head to the polls.

When is Primary Election Day?

Election day is Tuesday, June 2, 2026. Polling locations are open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m.

What identification do I need to vote?

Registered voters must present a valid form of identification to vote.

Valid forms of identification include:

State issued driver’s license
Non-operator ID
United States passport
Military ID
Veteran’s ID
Tribal ID
Iowa voter identification card

Am I registered to vote?

If you missed the deadline to register in advance, you can register to vote at your polling location on Election Day.

A driver's license with your current address can satisfy both the requirement for photo ID and for proof of residence. Otherwise, these items, provided they are less than 45 days old, can serve as proof of residence:

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

To register you must meet the following requirements:

Be a U.S. citizen.
Be an Iowa resident.
Be 18 years old 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.

You can check your voter registration status by visiting the Iowa Secretary of State's website, sos.iowa.gov.

Where do I vote?

Voters can find their polling location by visiting the Iowa Secretary of State’s website and entering their ZIP code and address.

What if I see problems at the polls?

The Register will be monitoring voting throughout the day and evening. If you experience any difficulty at the polls, reach out to Reader's Watchdog columnist Lee Rood at [email protected] or (515) 778-6670.

Where can I find election results?

The Des Moines Register will provide real-time updates on statewide and metro area races. When the polls close at 8 p.m. on Election Day, you can find results on our website.

The state and many counties will also provide election results online.

Who's on my ballot?

The Register has offered a comprehensive election guide, which details who the candidates are in each race along with the candidates’ biographical information and their positions on key topics.

Here are the contested primary races around metro Des Moines: