Pre-18 voter registration in Iowa
In Iowa 46,991 people turn 18 every year.
Iowans can pre-register before turning 18.
pre-register before turning To register to vote in Iowa, you must be: 17 years old.
That means all eligible seniors in your high school can register to vote today and vote at 18*.
Learn more about the voter registration gap in Iowa.
*In Iowa, 17-year-olds can vote in primaries if they will be 18 by Nov 3rd, 2026.
High school students can help one another get ready to vote.
Next Steps!
How to Register to Vote in Iowa
Upcoming Statewide or Federal Elections:
- Nov 3rd, 2026 - Iowa General Election (Register by Oct 19th, 2026)
Same-day voter registration is available in Iowa, which means eligible voters can register the same day they vote.
Useful Links:
- Registration Form - Download the paper registration form for Iowa.
- Registration Status - Check if you are already registered, your polling place, and more from your state’s voter registration website.
- Fair Elections Center - Learn about conducting a registration drive in Iowa.
- Vote 411 - A nonpartisan resource to help you register, preview your ballot, and find key election information from the League of Women Voters.
- VoteRiders - Find out what forms of ID you can use to register and vote, and get help getting a valid form of ID.
Full Registration Details
By Mail: ID Requirements
To submit a voter registration application by mail in Iowa, you must provide ONE of the following forms of identification: Iowa driver's license number; Iowa non-operator ID number; last four digits of your Social Security number
If you have not been issued any of these ID numbers, indicate this on the form.
By Mail: Eligibility Requirements
To register in Iowa you must:
be a United States citizen
be an Iowa resident
be at least 17 years old (you may register to vote if you are at least 17 years old. You may vote if you will be 18 years old on or before Election Day. You may vote in a primary election if you are at least 17 years old and you will be at least 18 years old by the corresponding regular election.)
not have been convicted of a felony (unless your voting rights have been restored)
not currently be judged by a court to be "incompetent to vote"
not claim the right to vote in more than one place
By Mail: New Voter Instructions
If you are registering to vote for the first time in your county and submit your registration application by mail, federal law requires you to provide a COPY of proof of identification with your application OR show acceptable documentation when you vote. Acceptable forms of identification include a current and valid photo ID OR a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or government document that shows your name and address. More information about these requirements is available on the National Voter Registration Form.
Online Instructions
To register online in Iowa, you need the last five digits of your Social Security number and either an Iowa driver’s license or an Iowa non-operator ID. If you have not been issued a Social Security number or Iowa ID number, you can still submit a voter registration application by mail.
More information here.
Iowa High School Educators: Bring democracy into your classroom with the Youth Voter Registration Investigation lesson plan!
Students will examine how various policies and practices in their state can impact youth voter registration rates and develop actionable steps for states to take that encourage eligible young voters to register.
See Iowa State standards and statues that support and/or require teaching students about voting, voter registration, and how and why to participate in democracy.
About this information
This page presents a curated compilation of voting and election information, specifically geared toward high school students, their families, and educators.
Information about deadlines and voting laws is retrieved via the Democracy Works Elections API and was last retrieved on Aug 20th, 2026; the API compiles election guidance from official government sources and other vetted data providers, and details may change over time. Information concerning requirements for high schools is based on The Civics Center’s analysis of State Requirements for High School Voter Registration and was last updated on Aug 19th, 2026.
Information about youth turning 18 each year is from the U.S. Census, and information on the number of 18-year-olds who have not yet registered is based on applying TCC’s analysis of Census data and state voter files. We also provide links to trusted resources, including VoteRiders (for voter ID information) and Fair Elections Center (for information about laws governing voter registration drives).
These pages are offered for guidance only and are not intended as legal advice. Please consult state election officials or an attorney if you have questions about any particular situation. We hope you find this useful. To cite our resources and original research, please provide links and/or cite The Civics Center.
© 2026 The Civics Center
