Elections in Iowa
Encyclopedia
The number of elections in Iowa varies from year to year. Presidential elections
are held every four years. Since 1972, Iowa has been the first state to vote in presidential primaries
, with their caucuses
. As with presidential elections, gubernatorial elections are held every four years - but are staggered such that they are held on general elections independently of the presidential election. Members of the Iowa Senate
are elected every four years, with half of the Senate elected at each general election; all members of the Iowa House of Representatives
are elected every two years. Additionally, elections for various government officials, judicial retention elections, and elections on referenda occur as part of various elections in Iowa.
is held on Election Day
during even-numbered years. In addition to the elections for the chief executive and legislature of the United States and of Iowa, general elections in Iowa include statewide elections for the Secretary of State
, Auditor of State, Treasurer of State, Secretary of Agriculture
, and Attorney General. Also included are judicial retention elections
and proposed amendments to the Iowa Constitution, along with various local elections.
United States presidential election
Elections for President and Vice President of the United States are indirect elections in which voters cast ballots for a slate of electors of the U.S. Electoral College, who in turn directly elect the President and Vice President...
are held every four years. Since 1972, Iowa has been the first state to vote in presidential primaries
United States presidential primary
The series of presidential primary elections and caucuses is one of the first steps in the process of electing the President of the United States of America. The primary elections are run by state and local governments, while caucuses are private events run by the political parties...
, with their caucuses
Iowa caucus
The Iowa caucuses are an electoral event in which residents of the U.S. state of Iowa meet in precinct caucuses in all of Iowa's 1784 precincts and elect delegates to the corresponding county conventions. There are 99 counties in Iowa and thus 99 conventions...
. As with presidential elections, gubernatorial elections are held every four years - but are staggered such that they are held on general elections independently of the presidential election. Members of the Iowa Senate
Iowa Senate
The Iowa Senate is the upper house of the Iowa General Assembly. There are 50 members of the Senate, representing 50 single-member districts across the state with populations of approximately 59,500 per constituency. Each Senate district is composed of two House districts...
are elected every four years, with half of the Senate elected at each general election; all members of the Iowa House of Representatives
Iowa House of Representatives
The Iowa House of Representatives is the lower house of the Iowa General Assembly. There are 100 members of the House of Representatives, representing 100 single-member districts across the state with populations of approximately 29,750 for each constituency...
are elected every two years. Additionally, elections for various government officials, judicial retention elections, and elections on referenda occur as part of various elections in Iowa.
General elections
In Iowa, a general electionGeneral election
In a parliamentary political system, a general election is an election in which all or most members of a given political body are chosen. The term is usually used to refer to elections held for a nation's primary legislative body, as distinguished from by-elections and local elections.The term...
is held on Election Day
Election Day (United States)
Election Day in the United States is the day set by law for the general elections of public officials. It occurs on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November. The earliest possible date is November 2 and the latest possible date is November 8...
during even-numbered years. In addition to the elections for the chief executive and legislature of the United States and of Iowa, general elections in Iowa include statewide elections for the Secretary of State
Iowa Secretary of State
The Iowa Secretary of State is a constitutional officer of the U.S. state of Iowa and is elected every four years. The Office of the Secretary of State is divided into four divisions: Elections and Voter Registration, Business Services, Administrative Services, and Communications and Publications...
, Auditor of State, Treasurer of State, Secretary of Agriculture
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture
The Iowa Secretary of Agriculture is an elected position in the United States state of Iowa. The current secretary is Republican Bill Northey.The Secretary of Agriculture heads the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, which is responsible for managing land and helping farmers in the...
, and Attorney General. Also included are judicial retention elections
Retention election
A judicial retention election is a periodic process whereby a judge is subject to a referendum held at the same time as a general election...
and proposed amendments to the Iowa Constitution, along with various local elections.
Local elections
In Iowa, various local officials are elected at the general election. However, school and city elections are not held during a general election, but at a different regularly scheduled time. Regular school elections are held on the second Tuesday in September during odd-numbered years. Regular city elections are held on Election Day during odd-numbered years.Special elections
In Iowa, special elections may be held throughout the year to fill various governmental vacancies or to vote on ballot initiatives. Special elections are generally held on Tuesdays and may not generally be held on the same day as a general or local election.2008 elections
- United States presidential election in Iowa, 2008United States presidential election in Iowa, 2008The 2008 United States presidential election in Iowa took place on November 4, 2008 throughout all 50 states and D.C., which was part of the 2008 United States presidential election. Voters chose 7 representatives, or electors to the Electoral College, who voted for President and Vice...
- United States Senate election in Iowa, 2008United States Senate election in Iowa, 2008The 2008 United States Senate election in Iowa was held on November 4, 2008. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Tom Harkin won re-election to a fifth term.-Results:-Candidates:* Christopher Reed - small businessman and Navy veteran...
- Iowa House of Representatives elections, 2008Iowa House of Representatives elections, 2008The 2008 Iowa House of Representatives election were held on November 4, 2008. The Iowa House, like the United States House of Representatives, is up for re-election in its entirety every two years...
- Iowa Democratic caucuses, 2008Iowa Democratic caucuses, 2008The Iowa Democratic Presidential Caucus occurred on January 3, 2008, and was the state caucuses of the Iowa Democratic Party. It was the first election for the Democrats of the 2008 presidential election. Also referred to as "the First in the Nation Caucus," it was the first election of the primary...
- Iowa Republican caucuses, 2008Iowa Republican caucuses, 2008The 2008 Iowa Republican caucuses took place on January 4, 2008. The Iowa Republican caucuses are an unofficial primary, with the delegates to the state convention selected proportionally via a straw poll...
2006 elections
- Iowa gubernatorial election, 2006Iowa gubernatorial election, 2006The Iowa gubernatorial election of 2006 took place November 7, 2006. The incumbent governor, Tom Vilsack, a Democrat, had served two terms and decided not to seek a third term. In the election, Culver defeated Nussle to win the governorship, by a margin of 54.4 percent to 44.1 percent...
- Iowa House of Representatives elections, 2006Iowa House of Representatives elections, 2006There were two sets of 2006 Iowa House of Representatives elections. The first, the general election, was held on November 7. The second, a special election for District 52, was held on December 12. The representatives-elect from both sets of elections were inaugurated on January 3, 2007...
2004 elections
- United States presidential election in Iowa, 2004
- Iowa Democratic caucuses, 2004
- Political party strength in IowaPolitical party strength in IowaThe following table indicates the party of elected officials in the U.S. state of Iowa:*Governor*Lieutenant Governor*Secretary of State*Attorney General*State Auditor*State Treasurer*Secretary of Agriculture...
External links
- Voting and Elections Information at the Iowa Secretary of State official website
- Iowa election laws - a compilation of Iowa laws related to elections.
- Iowa election laws changed pages - an update with those pages changed since the last publication of the Iowa election laws, current as of October 2008.