VOTING INFORMATION

Vote in Polk City at:
The Polk City Community Center (West Entrance)
309 Van Dorn St
Polk City, IA 50226

Polling Locations outside of Des Moines

TO BE A VOTER YOU MUST:
  • Be a U.S. citizen 18 years of age or older.
  • Be registered in Polk County.
REGISTRATION:

Download Voter Registration Card (.pdf)

Mail to:
Michael A. Mauro, Polk County Auditor
and Commissioner of Elections
Polk County Election Office
120 Second Avenue - Suite A
Des Moines, IA 50309-4757

WHEN:
The deadline is 10 days before primary and general elections and 11 days before other elections. An eligible citizen may register at city halls, Department of Transportation Offices, or the Polk County Election Office. Young voters may pre-register at 17 and 1/2 years of age. One may register by mail provided the form is received by deadline. Voters may obtain registration forms at Post Offices, libraries and most other public buildings.

WHERE:
You may register at any of the following places, no matter where you live in Polk County.

Polk County Election Office: 120 Second Avenue, Suite A
Polk County Auditor's Office: County Office Bldg., 2nd & Court
Altoona City Hall: 407 8th St. SE
Ankeny City Hall: 410 West 1st St.
Bondurant City Hall: 200 2nd St. N.E.
Clive City Hall: 1900 NW 114th St.
Des Moines City Hall: E. 1st & Locust St.
Grimes City Hall: 404 S. 2nd St.
Johnston City Hall: 6221 Merle Hay Rd.
Mitchellville City Hall: 110 2nd St. N.E.
Pleasant Hill City Hall: 5151 Maple Dr. Ste#1
Polk City City Hall: 112 3rd St.
Urbandale City Hall: 3315 70th St.
West Des Moines City Hall: 4000 George M. Mills Civic Pkwy.
Windsor Heights City Hall: 1133 66th St.
And also in all state agencies and the Department of Transportation.

HOW:
You may register with or without a party affiliation. However, if you wish to vote in any PRIMARY election, you must delcare a party. Only registered Democrats & Republicans may vote in their respective PARTY PRIMARY.

However, if a No Party voter wishes to change their affiliation, they can do so, either at any of the places of registration, by mail advising the Election Office they wish to change, or on Election Day, by declaring a PARTY choice on that day and changing their original No Party choice. All registered voters may vote on: referendums, amendments, bonds (issues), nonpartisan candidates.
 
TIME POLLS WILL BE OPEN:
Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. for general and primary elections. For all other elections, except as otherwise permitted, the polls shall open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. The card, which is mailed to you after registering, or making a change, will show your precinct name and the location of your polling place.

Feel free to ask your precinct election official for help at any time while voting.

Sample ballots and a ballot reader is available for demonstration during normal business hours at the Polk County Election Office at 120 Second Avenue, Suite A.

ELECTIONS:

GENERAL: 1st Tuesday after the 1st Monday in November even-numbered years.

PRIMARY: 1st Tuesday after the 1st Monday in June even-numbered years.

MUNICIPAL: 1st Tuesday after the 1st Monday in November odd-numbered years.

SCHOOL BOARD: 2nd Tuesday in September of each year.
 

VOTING

ON ELECTION DAY: Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. for general and primary elections.

Polls close at 8 p.m. for other elections.

Your registration card shows your precinct name and the location of your polling place, however, you do not need the card to be able to vote.

If you have trouble while voting, call a precinct election official.

Sample ballots and voting equipment are available for demonstration at the Polk County Election Office. Ask any associate of the office to show you how to mark and deposit your ballot.

ABSENTEE VOTING: Download Absentee Ballot Request (.pdf)

Request for ballot should be made by mail to the Commissioner of Elections no earlier than 70 days prior to an election.

In requesting an absentee ballot, state your name, voting address, the address to which your ballot should be sent, party affiliation (in PRIMARY ELECTIONS) and sign request as you are registered.

Absentee votes may be cast in person at the Polk County Election Office, as soon as ballots are available.

Absentee votes may also be cast at local libraries, prior to the general election.

Those in the Armed Forces need not register if they vote a military ballot. The request constitutes registration, with a Polk County address.

Any qualified elector who becomes a patient or resident of a hospital or health care facility within three days prior to the date of an election, may request an absentee ballot during that period or on election day. Requestor may also telephone the commissioner not later than four hours before the close of the polls. If the request is in order, an absentee ballot will be personally delivered.
 

THESE OFFICES WILL ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS:

POLK COUNTY ELECTION OFFICE
120 Second Avenue, Suite A, 286-3247
Open Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
(Open some Saturdays prior to elections.)

LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF METROPOLITAN DES MOINES
P.O. Box AM - 50302, 255-1453

DEMOCRATIC STATE CENTRAL COMMITTEE
5661 Fleur Dr., 50321, 244-5051

DEMOCRATIC POLK COUNTY HEADQUARTERS
527 6th ave., 50309, 285-1800

REPUBLICAN STATE CENTRAL COMMITTEE
521 E. Locust St., 50309, 282-8105

REPUBLICAN POLK COUNTY HEADQUARTERS
285-8168

OFFICE OF SECRETARY OF STATE
Hoover Building, 50319, 281-5865

IOWA ETHICS & CAMPAIGN DISCLOSURE
514 E. Locust St., Ste 104, 281-4028