State facts
- Population
- 3,238,387 (2025 estimate; 3,190,582 in the 2020 Census)
- Seats in the U.S. House
- 4
- State legislature
- Senate: 50 members, 4-year terms
- House of Representatives: 100 members, 2-year terms
- Governor’s term
- Four-year term, with no term limit.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, 2025 state population estimates; National Conference of State Legislatures. Checked October 19, 2026.
Who represents Iowa now
- Governor
- Kim Reynolds · Republican · since May 2017Seat on the Nov. 3 ballot
- U.S. senators
- Joni Ernst · Republican · since 2015Seat on the Nov. 3 ballot
- Chuck Grassley · Republican · since 1981
- U.S. House members
- 4 seats · Republican: 4
Sources: National Governors Association (party and start date: Wikidata); congress-legislators (current members of Congress). Checked October 19, 2026.
Voting in Iowa
From the state election office’s own website. Each answer shows the official wording it comes from.
- Register on Election Day
You may register and vote on Election Day.
Official wording: “You may register and vote on election day.” — state election office, page read October 18, 2026
- Register online
You can register to vote online through the Iowa Department of Transportation website.
Official wording: “You can register to vote online by visiting the Iowa Department of Transportation website” — state election office, page read October 17, 2026
- Early voting
Voters can begin casting in-person absentee ballots at their county election office on Wednesday, October 14.
Official wording: “Iowans can begin casting ballots for the 2026 General Election on Wednesday, October 14. This date marks the first day of Iowa’s absentee period, and the first day Iowans can vote in person absentee at their local county election office.” — state election office, page read October 18, 2026
- Who can vote by mail
All registered voters are eligible to make written requests for absentee ballots.
Official wording: “All registered voters are eligible to make written requests for absentee ballots.” — state election office, page read October 18, 2026
- Request a mail ballot by
Written applications for a mailed absentee ballot must reach the county auditor's office by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, October 19.
Official wording: “written applications for mailed absentee ballots must be received by the county auditor’s office no later than 5:00 p.m. on Monday, October 19.” — state election office, page read October 18, 2026
- Mail ballot due
Marked absentee ballots must be returned to the county auditor's office by the time polls close on November 3, at 8:00 p.m.
Official wording: “Marked absentee ballots must be returned to the county auditor’s office by the time polls close on Election Day, November 3, at 8:00 p.m.” — state election office, page read October 18, 2026
- ID at the polls
Voters must show an Iowa driver's license or non-operator ID, U.S. passport, U.S. military or veteran ID, tribal ID/document, or Iowa voter ID card at the polls.
Official wording: “Iowa voters are required to show an Iowa driver’s license or non-operator ID, U.S. passport, U.S. military ID or veteran’s ID, tribal ID/document, or Iowa voter ID card at the polls before they vote.” — state election office, page read October 17, 2026
For anything not listed, and to check your registration, see Iowa’s election office: sos.iowa.gov
Federal1
Statewide4
Federal candidate lists come from FEC filings. A candidate is marked “on the ballot” once their campaign files a pre-general report or the state’s official candidate list confirms it; others filed for 2026 but may have lost a primary or withdrawn.