Be Prepared for Election Day!

October 30, 2026

Election Day: Less than a week away

                The November 3, 2026, General Election is now less than a week away. If you haven’t already made plans to vote, please do not delay!  Early in-person absentee voting at the Courthouse is still taking place. Voters may vote at the Courthouse from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Thursday, and Monday. Voting hours are extended on Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. If you plan on voting on Election Day, polling place hours are from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. If you are in line at polls closing, you will be allowed to vote. However, voters may not join the line after 8:00 p.m. This election has been highly publicized on TV, radio, mail ads, social media, etc. We are expecting a high turnout and have seen a higher turnout for in-person absentee voting compared to past gubernatorial general elections. Please have patience wherever you decide to vote – at the Courthouse during the in-person absentee period or at the polls.  

If you or a loved one resident in a health care facility or hospital or become a resident of one between now and election day, please contact the Auditor’s office for your voting options.

                If you are a pre-registered voter in Jones County, please remember to bring your ID with you to vote. Acceptable forms of ID include an Iowa driver’s license or non-operator ID, a U.S passport or U.S. passport card, an Iowa voter identification card, a U.S. military or veteran ID, or a tribal ID card or document. If you have any questions about ID requirements or if you don’t have an ID, please call the Auditor’s office to learn about your options.

                If you are not currently registered to vote in Jones County, you will have to present a valid form of ID plus proof of residency. If your address is current on your ID, then that is all you will need. If your address on your ID is not current, then you will need to bring a separate proof of residency document such as a cell phone bill, utility bill, bank statement, residential lease, etc. Just remember the document must have your name, your current address, and be dated within the past 30 days.

                Election results will be posted on the Jones County Iowa Elections website as they come in after polls close. Look for the red banner at the top of the main website page, www.jonescountyiowaelections.gov. Please remember that it does take time for the results to get transmitted to the Auditor’s office. It could be 9:00 p.m. or later before results start getting posted.

                The Auditor’s office work does not stop at the end of election day. There are several post-election processes that do take place including the post-election audit, the canvass, and the reconvening of the special precinct board to determine the validity of any late arrival ballots and/or provisional ballots. Election work will continue for a few weeks after election day as all supplies and equipment are cleaned and stored away until the next election.

                In closing, I encourage all voters to make a plan. If you have any questions about voting early or on election day, please don’t hesitate to call the office at 319-462-2282.

By Whitney Hein, Jones County Auditor and Commissioner of Elections