They're important.
This year in particular. Iowa communities are building back from the derecho, American Rescue Plan municipal aid is going to get used, and a range of issues like water quality, school curricula, land use, infrastructure, and public safety policy remain evergreen.
But first, everyone's favorite: a tutorial on how to vote.
Register to vote in Iowa.
You can register online or by mail.
The 2021 pre-registration deadline for city and shcool elections on November 2nd is Monday, October 18, 2021; you can register to vote on election day at your polling place if you bring ID with you.
(Optional) Request an absentee ballot by mail.
If you are unable to vote in person on election day, vote absentee by mail or absentee in person.
Here's more information on absentee voting in Iowa.
Make a plan to vote.
Resources are available online or in-person from County Auditors on where polling places are.
Polling places for all elections in 2021 are open from 7 AM to 8 PM.
Vote!
Make sure to bring a form of ID if you're voting in person!
Note: you must have a valid Iowa ID to register to vote online, if you do not have an Iowa ID you can register by mail by filing out a voter registration form and mailing it to your county auditor.
College students may register at their college address, or their “permanent” home address, but not both. If registering with a college address, you may use a housing contract to meet the definition of “residential lease.” The contract must:
• Be effective for the current semester or term (with a specific date)
• List the student’s name
• Provide the building name where the student lives and a room number, if applicable
For a student at an Iowa community college or public university, "other government documents" that can be used to prove residency in the precinct include:
• A printed page from an online student directory
• A printed page from an online college or university billing
• A copy of the residence hall contract
The above forms must be current and must list the student's name and local address.
*information from the Polk County Auditor
City and school board offices, which include elections for city mayors, council members, public school district boards, and community college boards of trustees.
Go to cydiowa.org/2021 for a list of offices up for election in 2021 with service areas where we have CYDI chapters.
This is the final day folks can register to vote in city primary elections before October 5th, as well as the day requests for Absentee Ballots for city primaries must be returned to your County Auditor.
Primary day in cities with primary provisions.
Voter pre-registration deadline. This is the last day you can register to vote before election day, as well as the day requests for Absentee Ballots for city and school elections must be returned to your County Auditor.
Election day for regular city and school elections. Polling places will be open from 7 AM - 8 PM.
Folks may register to vote at the polls, but be sure to bring ID.
Date for city runoff elections.
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Knock doors! Attend events! Help candidates get on the ballot! Candidates for local races have a diverse range of social media outreach operations. Many mayoral and city council candidates have Facebook and Twitter accounts. Some local public or private groups will host forums and post candidate surveys online.
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Local news media are one reference point to use when beginning to plug in to local politics.
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Connect with other young activists through existing College, High School, and Young Professionals chapters, or reach out to start a new one! CYDI is one way to build community with other young folks invested in progressive movements.
