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Election Resources

ELECTION RESOURCES FOR SIMPSON STUDENTS

GENERAL ELECTION – NOVEMBER 3, 2026
Simpson’s student-led voter engagement team at the Culver Public Policy Center has created this page to update students about voting and elections.

If students have any questions or concerns about voting, call the Iowa Voter Hotline at 1-888-SOS-VOTE or visit the Iowa Secretary of State’s Voter Ready website at voterready.iowa.gov.

Check your Iowa voter registration status

IMPORTANT DATES AND DEADLINES FOR THE 2026 MIDTERM ELECTIONS IN IOWA

First Day to File Absentee Ballot Request with County Auditor

First Day of Absentee Voting (in person or by mail)

  • Pre-registration Deadline
  • Deadline to Request Absentee Ballot to be Mailed: must be received by County Auditor prior to 5:00 p.m. CT

Last Day for In-Person Absentee Voting

  • Election Day – polls are open from 7:00am until 8:00pm CT
  • Absentee Ballots Receipt Deadline: 8:00pm CT

Early Absentee Voting – In Person

Early absentee voting in Iowa runs from October 14 through November 2, 2026.

The deadline for advance voter registration for the 2026 election is Monday, October 19. Voters may also register to vote in person at the polls on Election Day or at their county auditor’s office during the early voting period.

Students wishing to take advantage of same-day registration must present valid photo ID and proof of residence. For students living on campus, go to Student Development (2nd floor of Kent Campus Center) during open hours (M-F 8am-4:30pm) or email studevworkstudy@simpson.edu to request a copy of your lease agreement showing your current campus residence.

The Student Development office will be open on Election Day (November 3, 2026) until 8pm should you need to request a lease agreement to register at your polling place.

Students registered to vote at their campus address (or anywhere in Warren County) may also vote early in person at the Warren County Auditor’s office at 301 North Buxton Street. The Warren County Administration Building is just steps from campus – across Clinton Avenue from Carver Science Center and Smith Chapel.

Early voting dates are:

  • Weekdays: October 14 through November 2, 8:00am – 4:30pm
  • Weekends:  October 31, 8:00am – 5:00pm

Absentee Voting by Mail

Students from Iowa may wish to vote absentee from their home address. To cast an absentee ballot by mail, Iowa residents who are already registered at their home address can fill out this form. Once completed, the absentee ballot request must be mailed to their county auditor, who will then mail that student their ballot. Iowa residents who request an absentee ballot can track their ballot here.

The original, signed request form for the 2026 General Election must be received in your county auditor’s office by 5:00 p.m. CT on Monday, October 19 (fifteen days prior to Election Day).

All absentee ballots must be received by your county auditor by 8:00pm CT on Election Day – Tuesday, November 3, 2026.

Out of State Students

Out-of-state students may be able to vote by mail if they are registered in their home state. Out-of-state students can find their state’s election rules and deadlines here. Out-of-state students can always register using their campus address and vote in Iowa if they choose. Iowa does not offer online voter registration for out-of-state students, so please submit a paper form by October 20 or follow the instructions below to register in person at the polls on Election Day.

Election Day Voting - Tuesday, November 3, 2026

What to bring on Election Day

Students voting in-person on Election Day in Indianola have two options:

  1. Students not registered to vote will need to bring a valid photo ID and Simpson College lease agreement to the polling location in order to complete same-day registration.
  2. Students registered to vote at their current address will only need to bring a valid photo ID to the polling location (Iowa driver’s license or non-operator ID, U.S. Passport, Military ID, Tribal ID). Out of state students who are registered to vote in Warren County must present their Iowa Voter ID card in lieu of an Iowa driver’s license.

Polling Locations

Students voting on Election Day will need to go to the correct polling locations matching their precinct:

PRECINCT 2: Thrive Church, 707 East Euclid Ave., Indianola

  • Barker Hall – 603 North Buxton Street
  • Kresge Hall – 604 North C Street
  • Colonial House – 504 North Buxton Street
  • Station Square Apartments – 100 East Detroit Avenue
  • Washington House – 500 North Buxton Street
  • Delta Delta Delta – 705 North C Street
  • Pi Beta Phi – 406 North Buxton Street

PRECINCT 3: Indianola Country Club – 1610 Country Club Rd.

  • Buxton Hall – 606 North E Street
  • Picken Hall – 607 North D Street
  • Detroit Apartments – 608 / 700 / 702 West Detroit Avenue
  • Weinman Apartments – 501 North E Street
  • Alpha Tau Omega – 703 North E Street
  • Kappa Theta Psi – 701 North E Street
  • Lambda Chi Alpha – 707 North E Street
  • Sigma Alpha Epsilon – 705 North E Street
  • Kappa Kappa Gamma – 515 North E Street
  • Theme House 2 – 901 North E Street, Unit A
  • Theme House 3 – 901 North E Street, Unit B
  • Theme House 4 (Performing Arts House) – 903 North E Street
  • Theme House 5 – 907 North E Street
  • Theme House 6 – 907 North E Street
  • Theme House 7 (Carver Cultural Center) – 707 North D Street
  • Theme House 8 (Women’s & Gender Resource Ctr) – 705 North D Street

PRECINCT 6: Masonic Lodge #53, 1606 West 2nd Ave., Indianola

  • Clinton Apartments – 701 West Clinton Avenue
  • Hamilton House – 501 West Clinton Avenue

Questions? We are here to help!