Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, IF you do not have an Iowa driver’s license or Iowa non-operator ID. No, if you do have an Iowa driver’s license/non-operator ID that is unexpired or within 90 days past the expiration date. You will use your Iowa DL/ID as your identification to vote. The voter confirmation cards issued to registered voters lacking an Iowa driver’s license/non-operator ID include a Voter ID Card. Voter ID cards must be signed before you enter your polling place. The Voter ID Card also includes a scannable barcode and a four-digit PIN. This PIN is required on any request for an absentee ballot. Other acceptable forms of identification (must be current, valid and contain an expiration date): - Out-of-state driver’s license/non-operator identification card - US passport - US military or veteran’s ID - ID card issued by an employer - Student ID issued by an Iowa high school or college NOTE: Older versions of the Iowa State University ID cards do not have an expiration date and therefore are not valid for this purpose.

The Voter ID PIN is a four-digit number, randomly assigned to each voter. The PIN only prints on the voter confirmation cards sent to those registered voters who do not have either an Iowa driver’s license or Iowa non-operator ID. For voters without an Iowa driver’s license/non-operator ID, the PIN is required information on any absentee ballot request submitted by the voter.  Any registered voter may request a PIN card, but only voters lacking an Iowa DL or non-operator ID card will be automatically sent a PIN card.  State law prohibits County Auditors from mailing PIN cards to registered voters without request.

Registered voters who have a valid Iowa driver's license or Iowa non-operator ID are not issued a voter confirmation card with a PIN.  These voters may request a PIN card by contacting the Auditor's Office.

One of five (5) designations will appear on your voter confirmation card in the party area (upper left corner under date of birth): No Party, Democrat, Republican, Iowa Green, or Libertarian 

NOTE: The Libertarian Party and the Iowa Green Party are legally termed a "political organizations" and do not hold a primaries.  Only the Democratic and Republican parties have party status in Iowa.

One is your polling place for federal elections, and one is your polling place for the regular city-school elections. These may be the same or they may be different.  For any election, always check the polling place list for that particular election as temporary polling locations may be in use.