Everything you need to know about the June 4 primary election, including voting absentee

Des Moines Register staff
·4 min read

Iowans will head to the polls June 4 to vote in primary elections for Congress, state legislative seats and countywide positions.

Party winners in the primary elections will appear on the ballot for the Nov. 5 general election.

Voting officially kicks off May 15, when auditors will start mailing absentee ballots and Iowans can vote absentee in person.

Here's everything you need to know about the June 4 primary election, including how to vote early, how to register and where to find your polling place.

How do I get an absentee ballot in Iowa?

Voters can request absentee ballots now until 5 p.m. May 20. Mailed absentee ballot request must be in writing. Forms are available at your auditor’s office and its website.

In order to receive an absentee ballot, a registered voter must have:

  • Iowa residential address

  • Voter verification number (ID number)

  • Iowa driver's license, non-operator ID number or a voter PIN located on their Iowa voter ID card

    • Voters may request an Iowa voter ID card by contacting their county auditor's office

  • The name or date of the election for which they are requesting an absentee ballot

Can I vote absentee in person?

Yes, in-person absentee voting is available May 15 through June 3. Check your auditor's office for hours.

How can I check on the status of my absentee ballot?

Iowans can track the status of their absentee ballot on the Secretary of State's website at sos.iowa.gov/elections/AbsenteeBallotStatus by entering their full name and date of birth.

Voters can return an absentee ballot through the mail, at a ballot drop box or by bringing the ballot to their county auditor's office in person.

Only the voter, an immediate family member or household member may return the ballot to the auditor's office or place it in the mail. There are exceptions for those with blindness or another disability; those voters may designate another registered voter as a "delivery agent" to return their ballot.

When do mail-in ballots need to be received?

Absentee ballots must be received in the county auditor's office by the time the polls close on Election Day at 8 p.m. to be eligible for counting.

Absentee ballots cannot be delivered to a polling place on Election Day. If you have not returned your absentee ballot on Election Day, you have the following options:

  • Deliver your voter absentee ballot to the county auditor's office before the polls close on Election Day.

  • Surrender your absentee ballot at the polls and vote a regular ballot.

  • Vote a provisional ballot at the polls if you cannot surrender your voted absentee ballot.

What time do polls open June 4?

Polls are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Where do I vote in the 2024 primary election?

You can find your precinct and polling place on the Secretary of State's website. The Polk County Auditor's Office and Dallas County Auditor's Office also have a list of polling places but you need to know your precinct number.

Is there a deadline to register?

The deadline to register before Election Day is May 20.

I'm not registered to vote. Is it too late?

If you haven't registered to vote by May 20 don't worry: You can register at the polls on Election Day. Bring proof of identity and residency, like a utility bill, paycheck or lease.

To register to vote in Iowa, 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

Do I have to show ID to vote in Iowa?

Registered Iowa voters must bring ID with them when they go to vote at the polls. Acceptable forms of identification are an Iowa driver's license or a non-operator ID, a U.S. passport or military ID, a veteran's ID, tribal ID or an Iowa voter ID card.

How do I know what's on my ballot?

Your county auditor's office should have sample ballots posted on its website by precinct and polling place.

In Polk County, first find your precinct and polling place on the Secretary of State's website, then scroll to find the proper ballot on the auditor's website.

How do I find results for the 2024 primary election?

The Des Moines Register will post results on its website on election night. Check back to desmoinesregister.com on June 4 after polls close at 8 p.m.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Everything to know about the June 4, 2024 primary election in Iowa