IMPORTANT DATES
WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 2026
ABSENTEE BALLOTS ARE READY TO BE MAILED
Monday, MAY18, 2026
VOTER PRE-REGISTRATION DEADLINE & LAST DAY ABSENTEE BALLOTS ARE MAILED
TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2026
PRIMARY ELECTION
ABSENTEE VOTING
Any registered voter in Iowa may request to vote their ballot absentee. Absentee is the term used to describe any ballot that is not voted at the polls on Election Day.
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; 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.
City/School Election
Beginning in 2019, School and City Elections will be combined and held in November of odd-numbered years. A City election is used to elect the Mayor and Council Members and any other elected city officials. In Pottawattamie, the cities of Carter Lake and Council Bluffs have provisions where if enough candidates file to run for Mayor or City Council a city primary election would be held in October to determine the candidates for the regular city election in November. A School Election is an election to select School Board members for school districts within Pottawattamie County.