Live updates from across Iowa during Election Day

It’s a busy Election Day across Iowa. About 650,000 Iowans voted early and upwards of 1 million more are expected to on Tuesday, when polls are open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. across the state. (Don’t fret: If you’re in line by 8 p.m., you can still vote as long as you stay in line.)Here’s what you need to know about Election Day in Iowa.Final political ad of the 2024 election season set for this afternoonRejoice, all who are tired of political ads. The final political ad on KCCI for this election season will air at 1:59 p.m. today.Hear from each candidate in Iowa’s four races for U.S. HouseRepublicans represent all of Iowa’s four congressional districts but Democrats are hopeful of their chances in the general election. Two of the districts are seen as especially competitive, including the 1st District in southeast Iowa and the 3rd District in central and southern Iowa. Republicans are expected to more easily retain control in the 2nd District in northeast Iowa and in the largely rural 4th District in western Iowa.Hear from each candidate: 1st District | 2nd District | 3rd District | 4th DistrictIowa election resultsHere is a list of races we’re following. Election results will start to come in shortly after 8 p.m. when polls close.FULL ELECTION RESULTS: PRESIDENT | U.S. HOUSE | IOWA SENATE | IOWA HOUSE | CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS | DALLAS COUNTY | GUTHRIE COUNTY | MADISON COUNTY | POLK COUNTY | STORY COUNTY | WARREN COUNTY | ESSENTIAL EMS | JUDICIAL RETENTIONIowa 3rd Congressional District candidates Zach Nunn, Lanon Baccam cast their ballots and talk with KCCI on Election DayBoth candidates in an important U.S. House race spoke with KCCI today as they cast their votes. Long lines at central Iowa voting locationsKCCI’s Nicole Tam was in Ankeny this morning when polls opened and in Des Moines around noon to speak with voters. Some voters reported being in line for more than an hour to cast their votes.Watch the video below for more.Iowa Secretary of State’s office confirms Story County voting issuesThe Iowa Secretary of State’s office provided a statement:We are aware of technical issues regarding tabulators in some precincts in Story County. The auditor is working with the vendor and our office to resolve it. It is not stopping anyone from casting a single ballot. It may impact how quickly we can report the results. We will follow up with more information as it becomes available.Watch the video below to see more.Pennsylvania county extends voting hours after software problemsIt may take longer to get results from national races, including the presidential election.A Pennsylvania judge has ordered polls to remain open for two extra hours in Cambria County, according to AP reports. A software malfunction affected voting machines.Polk County voting issues due to user error, auditor saysPolk County Auditor Jamie Fitzgerald says reported problems at Polk County voting locations are mostly due to user error by voters. One reported machine problem in Beaverdale was due to a procedural error while clearing some equipment out of the machine, according to the county auditor’s office.Fitzgerald said voters should feel confident in their votes because Iowa’s system relies on paper ballots, and assured voters all ballots will be counted.Votes may be placed in an emergency box, where they will later be put through a voting machine by both a Democrat and a Republican. That process will be watched by a poll worker.Story County confirms issues with voting machinesSome polling places in Story County are experiencing problems with voting machines, according to the county auditor’s office.Voters are still encouraged to cast their ballots, but those at locations dealing with machine issues may be asked to place their ballots in an emergency bin.The Story County auditor’s office also says it will request an administrative recount for impacted polling places.How to report voting issues in IowaThe Iowa Secretary of State’s office has an election security tipline for anyone who notices voting-related issues or witnesses “questionable activity related to an election.” You can also call the voter hotline at 1-888-SOS-VOTE.You can also reach out to your county auditor’s office here.Polls officially open for Election DayIt’s 7 a.m., and polls are officially open.Here’s what to know if you’re heading to the polls today.Iowa election resultsHere is a list of races we’re following. Election results will start to come in shortly after 8 p.m. when polls close. FULL ELECTION RESULTS: PRESIDENT | U.S. HOUSE | IOWA SENATE | IOWA HOUSE | CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS | DALLAS COUNTY | GUTHRIE COUNTY | MADISON COUNTY | POLK COUNTY | STORY COUNTY | WARREN COUNTY | ESSENTIAL EMS | JUDICIAL RETENTIONVoting on Election Day? Here’s what you need to knowIowa voters are required to show an Iowa driver’s license or non-operator ID, U.S. passport, U.S. military ID or veteran’s ID, tribal ID/document or Iowa voter ID card at the polls before they vote.If you’re not registered, you can register at your polling location on Election Day. You’ll need to bring an ID and proof of residency to register to vote.Here are some important things to know before heading to vote:You can wear campaign gear to support your favorite candidate. But, according to the Secretary of State, “you must leave the polling place as soon as they are done voting. Campaigning or electioneering of any kind in a polling place is illegal; loitering in a polling place while wearing political items is considered electioneering.”You can take a selfie at the ballot box, as long as you’re not being obnoxious.You can bring your kid with you to vote as long as they stay with you.Election Day forecastOvernight and early morning showers could bring another inch or two of rain as our soggy stretch since Saturday continues. There is no threat for severe weather.Expect a high of 55 degrees Tuesday with skies clearing by evening. See our latest weather forecast.See what’s on your ballotIowans within KCCI’s designated market area can click here (or on the link below) to find their sample ballots. Not all county auditors have posted or will post their sample ballots online. In those cases, call your county auditor to discuss ways to see a sample ballot.Early voting numbers in IowaAbout 650,000 Iowans had voted early as of Monday evening, more than 25% of the state’s voting-age population. That number is well below the absentee total from 2020, when just over 1 million turned in ballots early while we were in the middle of the COVID pandemic, but it’s in line with the previous two general elections — nearly 650,000 people voted early in 2016 and about 690,000 did in 2012, according to the Secretary of State’s Office.The 1.7 million voters in 2020 is a state record.Interactive maps: See how each Iowa county has voted in the past 6 presidential electionsSince 2000, Iowa’s six electoral votes have gone three times to the Democratic candidate and three times to the Republican candidate. The state went for Al Gore in 2000, then was won by George W. Bush in 2004. Iowa went to Barack Obama in 2008 and 2012 before being won twice by Donald Trump — in 2016 and 2020.Check out the interactive maps here (or click the link below) for a county-by-county look at the election results for the past six presidential elections in Iowa.U.S. House: State of the races in Iowa’s four districtsGet a free ride to the polls TuesdayVoters who need a ride to polls Tuesday in central Iowa can do so for free through the Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., but DART will allow anyone to use Local or Express route services at no charge throughout its entire service day, according to a news release.DART’s Paratransit Bus Plus riders can also reserve a free ride to and from their polling location. These rides must be reserved at least 24 hours in advance by calling DART customer service at 515-283-8136. Riders using DART On Call and DART On Demand will need to pay regular bus fare.Central Iowans can find their polling location through the Iowa Secretary of State’s Office. They can then use the MyDART Trip Planner at ridedart.com or the free MyDART app to search for which transit options are available to get to their polling location. Google Maps also shows bus routes when selecting the “transit” option while searching for directions.Voting on EMS as an essential serviceResidents in 12 Iowa counties are being asked to approve a new tax to fund emergency medical services and declare EMS an essential service. Thirteen counties have approved such a move since 2021 when Gov. Kim Reynolds signed into law Senate File 615, whichprovides the framework for counties to deem the service essential. Check out these interactives on early vote turnout, presidential campaigning and more» Follow KCCI on social media: Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | XOther Election Day freebiesSome companies are offering perks on Election Day, from a discounted ride to the polls to a free sweet treat.Make sure to check local restaurants, bars and businesses for any Election Day promotions they may have. Here are some offers available nationwide:Krispy Kreme: Krispy Kreme — which frequently has promotions celebrating various holidays — is giving away doughnuts in honor of “DOUGHmocracy.” Participating U.S. shops will give away a free original glazed doughnut, no purchase or proof of vote necessary. The chain will also be handing out “I Voted” stickers for those who voted early or sent in an absentee ballot.Rideshares: On Election Day, users will be greeted with different promotions when clicking on the “Go Vote!” tile in the Uber app. The company is offering riders 50% off trips to their polling place (up to $10). The app also will help users find the nearest polling place.Uber Eats is offering 25% off orders up to $15, with a $25 minimum. The offer is available from 6 p.m. local time on Nov. 5 to 7 a.m. local time on Nov. 6.Lyft also said it is offering a 50% discount (up to $10) on Election Day rides to the polls. Users can preload the ride code VOTE24 on or before Nov. 5. Lyft said that it has helped 3 million people get to the polls over the years since launching the program. Judicial retention electionsIn Iowa, judges are appointed by the governor, but it’s the voters who decide if they stay on the bench. In a retention vote, Iowans are asked to decide if a justice or judge should be retained. It’s a yes or no vote — there are no opposing candidates. District and appellate judges serve six-year terms, while Supreme Court justices serve eight-year terms.This year, Iowa Supreme Court Justice David May is the only justice standing for retention.Voters are encouraged to check the Iowa State Bar Association’s Judicial Performance Review before deciding — yes or no — if a justice or judge should be retained.» See a statewide list of Iowa judges standing for retention this yearLatest Iowa Poll has Harris leading TrumpThe last Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll about the presidential race before Election Day showed Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris with a slim lead over former President Donald Trump.Federal judge sides with Iowa secretary of state over voter eligibility disputeA federal judge has ruled that Iowa can continue challenging the validity of hundreds of ballots from potential noncitizens. The ruling Sunday was a defeat for critics who said the effort threatened the voting rights of people who’ve recently become U.S. citizens. The state’s attorney general and secretary of state argued that investigating and potentially removing 2,000 names would prevent illegal voting by noncitizens. GOP officials across the U.S. have made potential voting by noncitizen immigrants an issue even though it is rare. U.S. District Judge Stephen Locher sided against the American Civil Liberties Union in a lawsuit it filed on behalf of four naturalized citizens on the state’s list.Iowa elections: Frequently asked questionsWho can vote in Iowa?To register to vote, a qualified voter must be: An Iowa resident, a U.S. citizen and 18 years old by Election Day.Who is not eligible to vote?Iowans are not eligible to vote if they are a convicted felon – unless their voting rights have been restored; deemed mentally incompetent to vote by a court, or have claimed the right to vote in any other place.How can I register to vote?People who meet the voting requirements can register to vote online, by submitting a voter registration form to their local county auditor’s office, or through same-day voter registration on Election Day. Iowans must provide proof of identity and proof of residence to register. This requirement can be met using ID cards like an Iowa driver’s license, U.S. passport or non-operator ID. If the identification card does not contain the voter’s current address, they are required to bring an additional document showing their current name and address, like a residential lease, utility bill or paycheck.How do I vote absentee?Iowans who are registered to vote are able to request absentee ballots for the general election from Aug. 27 to Oct. 21. Voters must submit an absentee ballot request to their county auditor’s office to receive a ballot by mail. Request forms can be downloaded from the Iowa Secretary of State’s website, which can then be returned in person or by mail to their county auditor. The request form requires voters to include verification of their identity using the ID number on their driver’s license or non-operator’s ID, or with the four-digit PIN found on their voter identification card. County auditors will begin sending out ballots for the upcoming election on Oct. 16. Absentee ballots must be received by their local county auditor’s office by the time polls close on Election Day to be counted – this year, by 8 p.m. on Nov. 5.How do I vote on Election Day?To vote on Election Day, Iowans will have to head to their polling place between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Nov. 5. Polls are determined by the voter’s home address, and can be found using the Secretary of State’s website. Iowans can register to vote at their polling location on Election Day if they are not already registered by bringing proof of identity and citizenship. Registered voters are also required to bring along identification. Valid IDs include: Iowa driver’s license, Iowa non-operator ID. out-of-state driver’s license or non-operator ID, U.S. passport, U.S. military or veteran ID, ID card issued by employer, student ID issued by Iowa high school or college, or tribal ID card/document. People who do not have a form of identification with them can still cast a ballot on Election Day if another registered voter at the precinct attests for their identity. If the voter does not have either an ID or someone willing to attest for them, the person can still cast a provision ballot, with the requirement that they return with a valid form of identification to have their vote counted up until the time of county canvass of votes, this year set for Nov. 13. People who have requested an absentee ballot but did not return it can also vote in person if they have not returned their ballot by Election Day. The voter has the choice to surrender their absentee ballot at their polling location and vote using a regular ballot, or in cases where they are not able to return it, can cast a provisional ballot.Commitment 2024: More Election Day coverage Where presidential candidates stand on issues