THE POLK COUNTY JAIL WITHOUT BOND. WE’RE NOW GETTING AN INSIDE LOOK INTO HOW SOME MEDIA OUTLETS RUN THEIR POLLS AHEAD OF THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION. POLLS CAN BE A WAY TO PREDICT THE OUTCOME OF RACES, BUT IT’S IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT THEY’RE NOT ALWAYS PERFECT. POLLING EXPERTS SAY A GOOD POLL FEATURES A GROUP OF PARTICIPANTS THAT REFLECTS VOTERS. FACTORS LIKE AGE, GENDER, RACE AND EDUCATION ALL FACTOR INTO THE SELECTION. POLLS USUALLY SAMPLE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WITH THE GOAL OF BEING REPRESENTING EVERY VOTER AND IN THE DIGITAL AGE, SOMETIMES THAT MEANS REACHING PARTICIPANTS IN DIFFERENT WAYS. IF THEY’RE CONNECTED ONLINE, THEY’RE USING SMARTPHONES, THEY’RE USING THE INTERNET. OF COURSE, THEN THEY CAN TAKE THE SURVEY THAT WAY. ONCE INVITED TO TAKE THE SURVEY, THEN THEY CAN LOG ON, CONNECT SECURELY, AND ANSWER THE QUESTIONS IN FRONT OF THEM. THAT DATA IS ANALYZED AND USED TO CALCULATE WHO’S LIKELY TO TURN OUT TO VOTE. BUT EXPERTS REMIND PEOPLE
Iowa election guide: Important dates and frequently asked questions
![vlog logo]()
Updated: 1:13 PM CDT Oct 21, 2024
Election Day is Nov. 5 and we know many Iowa voters have questions about heading to the polls.We answer several of those questions below, with a list of important dates heading into the general election.Related: Iowans will decide on two constitutional amendments in NovemberImportant dates for Iowa votersWednesday, Oct. 16: Early voting begins; Iowa county auditors will begin sending out requested absentee ballots.Monday, Oct. 21: Deadlines for voter pre-registration, requesting absentee ballotsMonday, Nov. 4: Final day for in-person absentee votingTuesday, Nov. 5 — Election Day: Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.; absentee ballots must be received by 8 p.m.Iowa elections: Frequently asked questionsWho can vote in Iowa?To register to vote, a qualified voter must be: An Iowa resident, a U.S. citizen and 18 years old by Election Day.Who is not eligible to vote?Iowans are not eligible to vote if they are a convicted felon – unless their voting rights have been restored; deemed mentally incompetent to vote by a court, or have claimed the right to vote in any other place.How can I register to vote?People who meet the voting requirements can register to vote online, by submitting a voter registration form to their local county auditor’s office, or through same-day voter registration on Election Day. Iowans must provide proof of identity and proof of residence to register. This requirement can be met using ID cards like an Iowa driver’s license, U.S. passport or non-operator ID. If the identification card does not contain the voter’s current address, they are required to bring an additional document showing their current name and address, like a residential lease, utility bill or paycheck.How do I vote absentee?Iowans who are registered to vote are able to request absentee ballots for the general election from Aug. 27 to Oct. 21. Voters must submit an absentee ballot request to their county auditor’s office to receive a ballot by mail. Request forms can be downloaded from the Iowa Secretary of State’s website, which can then be returned in person or by mail to their county auditor. The request form requires voters to include verification of their identity using the ID number on their driver’s license or non-operator’s ID, or with the four-digit PIN found on their voter identification card. County auditors will begin sending out ballots for the upcoming election on Oct. 16. Absentee ballots must be received by their local county auditor’s office by the time polls close on Election Day to be counted – this year, by 8 p.m. on Nov. 5.How do I vote on Election Day?To vote on Election Day, Iowans will have to head to their polling place between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Nov. 5. Polls are determined by the voter’s home address, and can be found using the Secretary of State’s website. Iowans can register to vote at their polling location on Election Day if they are not already registered by bringing proof of identity and citizenship. Registered voters are also required to bring along identification. Valid IDs include: Iowa driver’s license, Iowa non-operator ID. out-of-state driver’s license or non-operator ID, U.S. passport, U.S. military or veteran ID, ID card issued by employer, student ID issued by Iowa high school or college, or tribal ID card/document. People who do not have a form of identification with them can still cast a ballot on Election Day if another registered voter at the precinct attests for their identity. If the voter does not have either an ID or someone willing to attest for them, the person can still cast a provision ballot, with the requirement that they return with a valid form of identification to have their vote counted up until the time of county canvass of votes, this year set for Nov. 13. People who have requested an absentee ballot but did not return it can also vote in person if they have not returned their ballot by Election Day. The voter has the choice to surrender their absentee ballot at their polling location and vote using a regular ballot, or in cases where they are not able to return it, can cast a provisional ballot.Information from the Iowa Secretary of State and Iowa Capital Dispatch was used in this article.
DES MOINES, Iowa — Election Day is Nov. 5 and we know many Iowa voters have questions about heading to the polls.
We answer several of those questions below, with a list of important dates heading into the general election.
Related: Iowans will decide on two constitutional amendments in November
Important dates for Iowa voters
- Wednesday, Oct. 16: Early voting begins; Iowa county auditors will begin sending out requested absentee ballots.
- Monday, Oct. 21: Deadlines for voter pre-registration, requesting absentee ballots
- Monday, Nov. 4: Final day for in-person absentee voting
- Tuesday, Nov. 5 — Election Day: Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.; absentee ballots must be received by 8 p.m.
Iowa elections: Frequently asked questions
Who can vote in Iowa?
To register to vote, a qualified voter must be: An Iowa resident, a U.S. citizen and 18 years old by Election Day.
Who is not eligible to vote?
Iowans are not eligible to vote if they are a convicted felon – unless their voting rights have been restored; deemed mentally incompetent to vote by a court, or have claimed the right to vote in any other place.
How can I register to vote?
People who meet the voting requirements can , by submitting a voter registration form to their , or through same-day voter registration on Election Day. Iowans must provide proof of identity and proof of residence to register. This requirement can be met using ID cards like an Iowa driver’s license, U.S. passport or non-operator ID. If the identification card does not contain the voter’s current address, they are required to bring an additional document showing their current name and address, like a residential lease, utility bill or paycheck.
How do I vote absentee?
Iowans who are registered to vote are able to request absentee ballots for the general election from Aug. 27 to Oct. 21. Voters must submit an absentee ballot request to their county auditor’s office to receive a ballot by mail. Request forms can be downloaded from the , which can then be returned in person or by mail to their county auditor. The request form requires voters to include verification of their identity using the ID number on their driver’s license or non-operator’s ID, or with the four-digit PIN found on their voter identification card. County auditors will begin sending out ballots for the upcoming election on Oct. 16. Absentee ballots must be received by their local county auditor’s office by the time polls close on Election Day to be counted – this year, by 8 p.m. on Nov. 5.
How do I vote on Election Day?
To vote on Election Day, Iowans will have to head to their polling place between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Nov. 5. Polls are determined by the voter’s home address, and can be found using the . Iowans can register to vote at their polling location on Election Day if they are not already registered by bringing proof of identity and citizenship. Registered voters are also required to bring along identification. Valid IDs include: Iowa driver’s license, Iowa non-operator ID. out-of-state driver’s license or non-operator ID, U.S. passport, U.S. military or veteran ID, ID card issued by employer, student ID issued by Iowa high school or college, or tribal ID card/document. People who do not have a form of identification with them can still cast a ballot on Election Day if another registered voter at the precinct attests for their identity. If the voter does not have either an ID or someone willing to attest for them, the person can still cast a provision ballot, with the requirement that they return with a valid form of identification to have their vote counted up until the time of county canvass of votes, this year set for Nov. 13. People who have requested an absentee ballot but did not return it can also vote in person if they have not returned their ballot by Election Day. The voter has the choice to surrender their absentee ballot at their polling location and vote using a regular ballot, or in cases where they are not able to return it, can cast a provisional ballot.
Information from the and was used in this article.
