2026 General Election
November 3, 2026
General Election
A General Election is the election in which federal and state officers, members of Congress and of the general assembly, county and township officers, and other officers appear on the ballot. General Elections are held the 1st Tuesday after the 1st Monday in November of each even-numbered year.
Candidate Filing Information
Not Affiliated and Non-Party Political Organization Candidates
State and Federal Offices
- Filing period: Monday, February 23 – Tuesday, June 2 at 5:00 p.m.
- This includes Not Affiliated and Non-Party Political Organization candidates for state and federal offices filing nomination papers for the General Election.
- Paperwork must be filed with the Secretary of State’s Office
County and Township Offices
- Filing period: Monday, March 2 – Tuesday, June 2 at 5:00 p.m.
- This applies to Not Affiliated and Non-Party Political Organization candidates filing for partisan county offices, as well as Township Clerks & Trustees, for the General Election.
- Paperwork must be filed with the Election Office
Agricultural Extension and Soil and Water Offices
- No official filing start date
- Deadline to file: Wednesday, August 26 at 5:00 p.m.
- Paperwork must be filed with the Election Office
More General Election Candidate Information & Nomination Paperwork
Election Calendar & Deadlines
| Date |
Event / Deadline |
| August 25, 2026 |
First day to submit an Absentee Ballot Request (70 days before Election Day) |
| October 14, 2026 |
In-person absentee voting begins (20 days before Election Day) |
| October 19, 2026 |
Pre-registration deadline for voters (5:00 PM) (15 days before Election Day) |
| October 19, 2026 |
Deadline to request a mailed absentee ballot (5:00 PM) (15 days before Election Day) |
| November 2, 2026 |
Last day for in-person voting (closes at 4:30 PM) |
| November 3, 2026 |
Ballot return deadline (must be received by 8:00 PM) |
| November 3, 2026 |
Election Day — Polls open 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM |
Polling Locations
Polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Voters must vote at their assigned polling locations. List of Polling Locations
Voter Registration
The pre-registration deadline is 5:00 p.m. on Monday, October 19, 2026. Voters registering after this date must provide proof of identification and residency.
- Valid proof of identification
- Proof of residency listing name and address (current within 45 days)
Voters registering after October 19 should expect longer processing times.
More Information on Registering to Vote
Absentee Voting
Absentee ballots will be available beginning Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
- Request forms accepted beginning Tuesday, August 25, 2026
- First day ballots are mailed and available in person: Wednesday, October 14, 2026
- Deadline to request a mailed ballot: 5:00 p.m. on Monday, October 19, 2026
- In-person absentee voting closes at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, November 2, 2026
Requests must be submitted in writing to:
Black Hawk County Elections, 316 E. 5th Street, Waterloo, IA 50703
More Information on Absentee Voting
Extended Office Hours
In addition to regular hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.):
- Monday, October 19, 2026: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- Friday, October 30, 2026: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- Saturday, October 31, 2026: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Election Day
Tuesday, November 3, 2026 — Polls open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Voters must vote at their assigned polling locations. List of Polling Locations
Voter Identification Requirements
View acceptable forms of voter identification
Election Results
Results Available on Election Night
0 Precincts Counted
