On this much anticipated first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, millions of people are flocking to the polls to cast their ballots. For Iowa voters, there are some nuances to election law that are important to keep in mind:
- Unregistered voters can register and vote on election day. You must be at the precinct where you live, complete a voter registration application, sign a written oath, and present appropriate identification. Iowa Code § 48A (2008).
- A student who attends an Iowa college or university may vote in their hometown or at their college residence. Obviously, you have to choose one or the other. Iowa Code § 48A (2008).
- People convicted of felonies who have completed their sentence (including probation, parole, & supervised release) before July 4, 2005 are eligible to vote. On that date,Governor Vilsack signed Executive Order No. 42, which granted a blanket restoration of the right to vote and hold public office to persons who were disqualified from registering to vote because of conviction for a felony or aggravated misdemeanor.
If you have any questions, contact your county auditor. Remember, the polls in Iowa close at 9 p.m., so make sure to cast your ballot before then!