Iowa voters head to the polls today for the 2026 midterm elections. These contests shape state and national policy, with seats in Congress, the state legislature, and local offices all up for grabs. The decisions made today will affect Iowa’s roads, schools, taxes, and health care for years. Your vote is your say in that future.

Many elections in Iowa have come down to a handful of votes. Your ballot carries real weight, especially in local races. If you want to influence the direction of your county or state, your vote is the direct way to do it. Elected leaders make decisions that ripple through communities, from school board policies to state laws.

If you have questions about voting, Iowa has resources to help. Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. Bring a valid form of identification and check your polling place before you leave. If you are in line by 8 p.m., you have the right to cast your ballot. If you have a mail-in ballot, return it to your county auditor’s office by the deadline.

Voting is a right and a responsibility. Take a few minutes to research the candidates and issues before you go. Your participation helps keep Iowa’s democracy healthy and strong.

Here’s a guide to help you exercise your right to vote on this Tuesday, November 3rd, 2026:

Are you registered to vote?

To vote in Iowa, you must be 18 years or older on or by November 3rd, 2026, and registered to vote. Not sure if you’re registered to vote in Muscatine County? You can check right here!

If you’re not registered to vote and it’s election day, you can register to vote at your polling place.

Can I register to vote at my polling location in Iowa?

Yes! In Iowa, you can register at your polling place.

According to the Iowa Secretary of State, you may register and vote on election day. To do so, you first must go to the correct polling place for your current address on election day.

At the polling place, you must prove both who you are and where you live. The best way to do this is with your valid Iowa driver’s license with your current address printed on it. Here are examples to show your polling place proof of who you are and where you live.

If you are voting on Election Day and cannot prove who you are and where you live with the documents required by the State of Iowa, a registered voter from your precinct may attest for you. Both you and the attester will be required to sign an oath swearing that the statements being made are true.

Falsely attesting or being attested for is registration fraud. It is a class “D” felony and is punishable by a fine of up to $10,245 and up to 5 years in prison.

Where is my polling place?

You probably need to know where you can vote on November 3rd, 2026.

To find out where you can cast your vote this election day, you should visit the Iowa Secretary of State website, and there you’ll be asked to follow the following prompts:

• STEP 1: Enter your 5-digit zip code
• STEP 2: Enter your house number and street name
• STEP 3: Go vote at the polling place the website tells you!

For all elections, the polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. across the state of Iowa.

Who is on the ballot?

Knowing who is on the ballet is important. Before you go vote, make sure you’re educated on each candidate, which party they are with, which position they are running for, and what their stances are on key political issues. Here is who is on the ballet in Muscatine on November 3rd, 2026:

Statewide races

U.S. Senate

One U.S. Senate seat is up for election.

Governor of Iowa

Lieutenant Governor

Secretary of State

Attorney General

State Auditor

Taylor Wettach is a Muscatine attorney.

Secretary of Agriculture

State Treasurer