Secretary Pate Reminds Iowans of Deadlines to Request Absentee Ballots, Return Absentee Ballots; Election Day, November 4

Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate is reminding Iowans that local elections matter, and  it’s time to make a plan to participate in November’s City-School Election. Iowans can begin  casting ballots for the 2025 City-School Election on Wednesday, October 15. This date marks  the first day of Iowa’s absentee period and the first day Iowans can vote in person absentee at  their local county election office. October 15 also marks the first day county auditors can mail  absentee ballots to those who have requested them.  

Secretary Pate is also urging Iowans to submit their absentee ballot requests early –  written applications for mailed absentee ballots must be received by the county auditor’s office  no later than 5:00 p.m. on Monday, October 20. Marked absentee ballots must be returned to  the county auditor’s office by the time polls close on Election Day, November 4, at 8:00 p.m.  The United States Postal Service (USPS) encourages voters to put their ballot in the mail at  least one week before Election Day to ensure it arrives on time.  

“Local elections matter. Now is the time to make your plan to vote and have an impact  on what happens right in your neighborhood,” said Secretary Pate. “Our City-School Elections  decide who sits on our school boards and city councils, and have a profound impact on local  taxes, property values, infrastructure quality, and access to community services.”  

All registered voters are eligible to make written requests for absentee ballots. In order  to receive an absentee ballot, registered voters must provide the following information on the  request form:  

- Name  

- Date of birth  

- Iowa residential address  

- Iowa Driver’s License or Non-Operator ID Number OR  

- Four-digit Voter PIN found on voter’s Iowa Voter ID Card. Any voter can request an Iowa Voter  ID Card by contacting their County Auditor’s Office.  

- Name or date of the election for which a voter is requesting the absentee ballot  - Signature and date the form was completed  

All eligible voters are also encouraged to provide a phone number and email address in  the event their county auditor needs to confirm any information on the request form.  “It’s never too early to make your plan to vote, and voting absentee by mail or absentee  in person are both safe and secure methods to make sure your ballot is cast this fall. Whether  you vote early or on Election Day, Iowans can trust that their votes will be counted accurately  and fairly.”  

Absentee ballot request forms are available for download directly from the Iowa  Secretary of State website, voterready.iowa.gov. Requests to receive a ballot by mail must be  received by the County Auditor’s office by Monday, October 20, no later than 5:00 p.m. In person absentee voting at the county auditor’s office is available through November 3, the day  before the election.