Iowans voting early by mail were able to request an absentee ballot beginning Tuesday, 70 days before Election Day. County auditors will mail ballots beginning Oct. 19.
Iowa's first day of early voting for this fall's election is Oct. 19. The state offers 20 days of early voting, which includes both in-person and mail-in voting.
Iowans can cast their ballots early in person at their county auditor's office or a satellite voting location that can be requested via petition. The final day of in-person early voting is the day before Election Day.
Voters can return a mailed absentee ballot through the mail, at a ballot drop box or by bringing the ballot to their county auditor's office in person. Voters are limited in who they may designate to return their ballots. Only the voter, an immediate family member, household member or caregiver 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 a "delivery agent" to return their ballot.
All completed absentee ballots must be received back by the time polls close at 8 p.m. on Election Day in order to be counted, with exceptions for military and overseas voters. Military and overseas voters' ballots may arrive later and still be counted.
