2026 Primary Election
June 2, 2026
Primary Election
The Primary Election is an election to determine which candidates will qualify for the General Election for a given party. In Iowa you must be a member of the political party of which you wish to vote for in order to participate. This is known as a "closed primary." The primary election is held on the 1st Tuesday following the 1st Monday in June of each even-numbered year.
Candidate Filing Information
Democratic and Republican Candidates
State and Federal Offices
- Filing period: Monday, February 23 – Friday, March 13 at 5:00 p.m.
- This includes Democratic and Republican candidates for state and federal offices filing nomination papers for the Primary Election.
- Paperwork must be filed with the Secretary of State’s Office
County Offices
- Filing period: Monday, March 2 – Friday, March 20 at 5:00 p.m.
- This includes Democratic and Republican candidates for partisan county offices filing nomination papers for the Primary Election.
- Excludes Ag Extension, Soil and Water, and Township Clerks & Trustees
- Paperwork must be filed with the Election Office
More Primary Election Candidate Information & Nomination Paperwork
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 |
| March 24, 2026 |
First day to submit an Absentee Ballot Request (70 days before Election Day) |
| May 13, 2026 |
In-person absentee voting begins (20 days before Election Day) |
| May 18, 2026 |
Pre-registration deadline for voters (5:00 PM) (15 days before Election Day) |
| May 18, 2026 |
Deadline to request a mailed absentee ballot (5:00 PM) (15 days before Election Day) |
| June 1, 2026 |
Last day for in-person voting (closes at 4:30 PM) |
| June 2, 2026 |
Ballot return deadline (must be received by 8:00 PM) |
| June 2, 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. A full list of polling locations will be announced at a later date.
Voter Registration
The pre-registration deadline is 5:00 p.m. on Monday, May 18. 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 May 18 should expect longer processing times.
More Information on Registering to Vote
Absentee Voting
Absentee ballots will be available beginning Wednesday, May 13.
- Request forms accepted beginning Tuesday, March 24
- First day ballots are mailed and available in person: Wednesday, May 13
- Deadline to request a mailed ballot: 5:00 p.m. on Monday, May 18
- In-person absentee voting closes at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, June 1
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, May 18: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- Friday, May 29: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- Saturday, May 30: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Election Day
Tuesday, June 2 — Polls open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Voters must vote at their designated polling place.
Voter Identification Requirements
View acceptable forms of voter identification
Election Results
Results Available on Election Night
0 Precincts Counted
