Iowa Sample Ballot 2026: Every Candidate on Your November Ballot
All 2026 candidates by state →
Iowa's 2026 ballot includes governor (Rob Sand (D), Zach Lahn (R)); U.S. Senate (Josh Turek (D), Ashley Hinson (R), Thomas Laehn (Libertarian)); 4 U.S. House districts. Browse tracked Iowa jurisdictions, compare candidate profiles, and enter your ZIP code to see the exact races on your ballot.
- Primary Election
- June 2, 2026
- General Election
- Nov. 3, 2026
- Places Listed
- 16
- Profiles
- 113
Statewide
GovernorRob Sand (D) · Zach Lahn (R)
Rob Sand Democrat
- Strengthen government accountability and anti-corruption oversight
- Lower costs and protect public services
- Compete for rural and independent voters
Per the campaign site.
About Rob Sand

Sand is Iowa's State Auditor, first elected in 2018 and reelected in 2022, and previously served as an assistant Iowa attorney general prosecuting public corruption, per the campaign site. As auditor he has led investigations into misspent public funds and created a state program to identify government efficiencies later adopted by other states, per the campaign site. He is running with Dave Muhlbauer as his candidate for lieutenant governor, per Iowa's certified 2026 general election candidate list.
Zach Lahn Republican
- Support family farms and Iowa-first economic policy
- Improve water quality and public health safeguards
- Challenge entrenched political and agribusiness interests
Per the campaign site.
About Zach Lahn
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Zach Lahn is Iowa's Republican nominee for governor, a businessman and farmer. His campaign emphasizes an Iowa-first economic message, agriculture, water quality, health concerns, and a challenge to large agribusiness power. He is running with Derek Wulf as his candidate for lieutenant governor, per Iowa's certified 2026 general election candidate list.
U.S. SenateJosh Turek (D) · Ashley Hinson (R) · Thomas Laehn (Libertarian)
Josh Turek Democrat
- Lower health-care costs and protect rural hospitals
- Support disability rights, veterans, and working families
- Protect public education and reproductive rights
Per the campaign site.
About Josh Turek

Josh Turek is Iowa's Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in 2026, a state representative from Council Bluffs and a Paralympic gold medalist in wheelchair basketball. His campaign emphasizes health care, disability rights, public education, reproductive rights, rural hospitals, and a moderate, prairie-populist message in the open-seat race.
Ashley Hinson Republican
- Cut taxes and restrain federal spending
- Support Iowa agriculture and rural communities
- Strengthen border security and public safety
Per the campaign site.
About Ashley Hinson

Ashley Hinson is Iowa's Republican nominee for U.S. Senate in 2026 and the current U.S. representative for Iowa's 2nd Congressional District. A former television journalist and Iowa state legislator, she is running to succeed retiring Senator Joni Ernst with a message focused on taxes, agriculture, border security, federal spending, and Trump-aligned Republican priorities.
Thomas Laehn Libertarian
- Supports reducing the influence of the two major political parties on policymaking
- Supports returning policymaking authority to the states
Per the campaign site.
About Thomas Laehn
Thomas Laehn is the elected Greene County Attorney in Iowa and the Libertarian candidate for U.S. Senate, per his campaign site.
Attorney GeneralBrenna Bird (R) · Nate Willems (D)
Brenna Bird Republican Incumbent
- Use the attorney general's office for public safety and prosecutions
- Challenge federal policy through state litigation
- Protect consumers and crime victims
Per the campaign site.
About Brenna Bird
Brenna Bird is Iowa's incumbent attorney general and a Republican candidate for re-election. Her office has emphasized criminal prosecution, litigation against federal policy, consumer protection, victim services, and conservative legal priorities.
Nate Willems Democrat
- Restore independence and professionalism to the attorney general's office
- Protect consumers and civil rights
- Use legal and legislative experience for accountable enforcement
Per the campaign site.
About Nate Willems

Nate Willems is a Democratic candidate for Iowa attorney general, an attorney, and a former Iowa House member. His campaign emphasizes restoring independence to the office, protecting consumers, defending rights, and using legal experience for accountable public service.
Secretary Of StatePaul Pate (R) · Ryan Peterman (D)
Paul Pate Republican Incumbent
- Administer elections and voter information
- Maintain business and public-record services
- Promote election security and confidence
Per the campaign site.
About Paul Pate

Paul Pate is Iowa's incumbent secretary of state and a Republican candidate for another term. His office oversees elections, business filings, notary services, land-records coordination, and voter information across Iowa.
Ryan Peterman Democrat
- Protect voting access and election administration
- Improve public trust in elections
- Bring military and legislative-service experience to the office
Per the campaign site.
About Ryan Peterman
Ryan Peterman is a Democratic candidate for Iowa secretary of state, a Navy veteran, and a former legislative aide. His campaign emphasizes voting access, election administration, service experience, and rebuilding trust in the office that runs Iowa's elections and business filings.
TreasurerRoby Smith (R) · John Norwood (D)
Roby Smith Republican Incumbent
- Safeguard state cash and investments
- Manage college savings and public-finance programs
- Return unclaimed property and improve treasury services
Per the campaign site.
About Roby Smith

Roby Smith is Iowa's incumbent state treasurer and a Republican candidate for re-election. His office manages state cash, investments, college savings programs, unclaimed property, and public-finance services.
John Norwood Democrat
- Strengthen transparency in state finance
- Bring conservation and local-government experience to treasury work
- Protect public funds and improve service to Iowans
Per the campaign site.
About John Norwood

Norwood has more than 30 years of experience in finance and public service and has served since 2019 as a Business Advisor with the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program, coaching Iowa entrepreneurs; he holds a BA from Williams College and an MBA in Finance and a Master of Environmental Management from Yale University, per the campaign site.
AuditorTaylor Wettach (D) · Chris Cournoyer (R)
Taylor Wettach Democrat
- Protect independent oversight of state government
- Strengthen transparency and taxpayer accountability
- Use legal experience to review public spending
Per the campaign site.
About Taylor Wettach
Taylor Wettach is a Democratic candidate for Iowa state auditor and an attorney. After Rob Sand chose to run for governor, Wettach entered the auditor race with a message focused on independent oversight, transparency, taxpayer accountability, and protecting the auditor's watchdog role.
Chris Cournoyer Republican
- Improve financial oversight and accountability
- Use technology and management experience in audits
- Promote efficient state government
Per the campaign site.
About Chris Cournoyer

Chris Cournoyer is Iowa's lieutenant governor and a Republican candidate for state auditor. A former state senator with technology and education experience, she has emphasized government efficiency, financial oversight, public accountability, and using management experience in the auditor's office.
Secretary Of AgricultureMike Naig (R) · Chris Jones (D)
Mike Naig Republican Incumbent
- Support Iowa farmers and agricultural markets
- Promote conservation and water-quality programs
- Advance renewable fuels and rural economic development
Per the campaign site.
About Mike Naig
Naig is the incumbent Iowa Secretary of Agriculture who grew up on his family's fourth-generation crop and livestock farm near Cylinder, Iowa, and is a graduate of Buena Vista University, per the campaign site. He has spent his entire career working in agriculture, per the campaign site.
Chris Jones Democrat
- Address water quality and nitrate pollution
- Support family farms and rural communities
- Increase accountability in agriculture policy
Per the campaign site.
About Chris Jones

Chris Jones is a Democratic candidate for Iowa secretary of agriculture, an author, and a water-quality advocate. His campaign emphasizes nitrate pollution, rural health, accountability in agricultural policy, family farms, and a more independent approach to Iowa's agriculture department.
Ballot measures
Ballot measures1 statewide measure on the 2026 ballot
1 statewide measure is on Iowa's 2026 ballot.
Two-Thirds Legislative Vote Requirement for Income Tax Increase Bills AmendmentRequire a two-thirds vote of both legislative chambers to pass a bill that would increase the individual or corporate income tax rate.Constitutional amendment (legislative referral)
All Iowa ballot measures, explainedYour county
Choose your countyLocal races for all 99 counties and 5 cities
All 99 counties, A to Z
See your full ballot
Voting info and more
Voting info and more
Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Dates below come from the Iowa election office as of 2026-09-04; confirm on the official page or check your registration and polling place.
- Voter registration deadline
- online by Monday, October 19, 2026; by mail Monday, October 19, 2026; in person by Tuesday, November 3, 2026; same-day registration is available
- Early voting
- Wednesday, October 14, 2026 through Monday, November 2, 2026
- Mail ballot
- request by Monday, October 19, 2026, 5:00 p.m; return: Must be RECEIVED in the county auditor's office prior to 8:00 p.m. CT on Election Day, November 3, 2026 (mailed or hand-delivered;; no excuse needed
- Election Day hours
- 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. CT
- Where to vote
- Find your polling place with the Iowa election office's official lookup.
- ID at the polls
- Voters must show one of: Iowa driver's license or non-operator ID (not expired more than 90 days), unexpired U.S. passport, unexpired U.S. military/veteran ID, a signed Iowa Voter Identification Card, or a signed tribal ID with photo. Without one, a voter's identity may be attested to by another registered voter in the precinct, or proven using Election Day Registration documents.
Who is running for governor of Iowa in 2026?
The tracked 2026 candidates for governor of Iowa are Rob Sand (D), Zach Lahn (R). Candidate fields follow official election office filings; see the race card on this page for biographies and priorities.
Who is running for U.S. Senate in Iowa in 2026?
The tracked 2026 U.S. Senate candidates in Iowa are Josh Turek (D), Ashley Hinson (R), Thomas Laehn (Libertarian). Candidate fields follow official election office filings; see the race card on this page for biographies and priorities.
When is the Iowa 2026 primary election?
Iowa's 2026 state primary was held on June 2, 2026; the general election is November 3, 2026. Check your registration and polling place with your state election office.
When is the voter registration deadline in Iowa for the November 2026 election?
To vote in Iowa's November 3, 2026 general election, register online by Monday, October 19, 2026; by mail Monday, October 19, 2026; in person by Tuesday, November 3, 2026; same-day registration is available, per the state election office.
When does early voting start in Iowa for the November 2026 election?
Early in-person voting in Iowa runs Wednesday, October 14, 2026 through Monday, November 2, 2026, per the state election office.
What is the deadline to request a mail ballot in Iowa for November 2026?
Iowa mail ballots: request by Monday, October 19, 2026, 5:00 p.m; return: Must be RECEIVED in the county auditor's office prior to 8:00 p.m. CT on Election Day, November 3, 2026 (mailed or hand-delivered;; no excuse needed, per the state election office.
Where do I vote in Iowa in November 2026?
Polling places are assigned by address. Use the Iowa election office's official lookup at https://voterready.iowa.gov to find yours; early-voting sites are listed there as well.
U.S. House candidates by district
Only one district is on your ballot; the link below finds yours by street address.
U.S. House - IA-1Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R) · Christina Bohannan (D) · Michael Bridgford (No Party)
Mariannette Miller-Meeks Republican Incumbent

Mariannette Miller-Meeks has represented southeast Iowa's 1st Congressional District in Congress since 2021 and is seeking a fourth term, according to Iowa Starting Line. She was first elected in 2020 in one of the closest U.S. House races in modern history.
Christina Bohannan Democratic
- Lowering costs, including addressing tariffs, prescription drug prices and housing costs
- Ethics reform to reduce special-interest influence in Congress
- Expanding access to health care, including a Medicare option for all ages
Per the campaign site.
About Christina Bohannan
Christina Bohannan is the Democratic candidate for Iowa's 1st Congressional District on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Secretary of State's 2026 General Election candidate list. Bohannan is a former Iowa state representative and University of Iowa law professor running for Iowa's 1st Congressional District, per Iowa Public Radio. Bohannan says lowering costs, including addressing tariffs, prescription drug prices and housing costs, will be her top priority in Congress, per Campaign site (bohannanforcongress.com).
Michael Bridgford No Party
Michael Bridgford is an independent financial advisor from Bettendorf with a bachelor's degree in accounting from the University of Illinois and an MBA from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management, according to Iowa Public Radio. He is running as an independent candidate for Iowa's 1st Congressional District. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026; the Secretary of State's certified candidate list is the only verifiable source for Michael Bridgford.
U.S. House - IA-2Joe Mitchell (R) · Lindsay James (D) · Rick Stewart (Libertarian) · Dave Bushaw (No Party)
Joe Mitchell Republican

Joe Mitchell is the Republican candidate for Iowa's 2nd Congressional District on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Secretary of State's 2026 General Election candidate list. Mitchell is a homebuilder in Clear Lake who was elected to the Iowa House at age 21 and served two terms, per Iowa Capital Dispatch / CBS2 Iowa. Mitchell previously served as a regional director for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and founded Run Gen Z, a young conservative organization, per Iowa Capital Dispatch. Mitchell led Republican fundraising in the 2nd Congressional District primary, with more than $1 million in individual contributions, per Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Lindsay James Democratic
- Lowering the cost of living and expanding access to affordable health care
- Removing money from politics through campaign finance reform
- Supporting public education funding and Iowa farmers
Per the campaign site.
About Lindsay James

James is a chaplain who currently serves as an Iowa state representative from Dubuque, per the campaign site. She co-founded Iowa's first bipartisan, bicameral legislative caucus and has worked on expanding affordable insulin access and protections for mobile home residents, per the campaign site.
Rick Stewart Libertarian
- Ending the federal income tax
- Overhauling immigration policy
Per the Iowa Capital Dispatch.
About Rick Stewart
Rick Stewart is the Libertarian candidate on the ballot for Iowa's 2nd Congressional District, according to Iowa Capital Dispatch. He has said he wants to end the federal income tax and overhaul immigration policy. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026; the Secretary of State's certified candidate list is the only verifiable source for Rick Stewart.
Dave Bushaw No Party
- Building an independent political movement outside the two major parties
Per Iowa Capital Dispatch.
About Dave Bushaw
Dave Bushaw is the No Party candidate for Iowa's 2nd Congressional District on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Secretary of State's 2026 General Election candidate list. Bushaw is a farmer and musician who worked on Bernie Sanders' 2020 presidential campaign, per Iowa Capital Dispatch. Bushaw qualified for the November ballot in Iowa's 2nd Congressional District by collecting signatures as a No Party candidate, per KCRG.
U.S. House - IA-3Zach Nunn (R) · Sarah Trone Garriott (D)
Zach Nunn Republican Incumbent

Zach Nunn is a sixth-generation Iowan and Air Force veteran of nearly two decades who served as an airborne intelligence officer and as Director of Cybersecurity at the White House National Security Council, according to his official House biography. He previously served in the Iowa House and Senate and is seeking a second term representing Iowa's 3rd Congressional District.
Sarah Trone Garriott Democratic
- government accountability standards
- immigration policy
- protecting Iowa's land, water and clean energy resources
Per the campaign site.
About Sarah Trone Garriott
Sarah Trone Garriott is a Lutheran minister from West Des Moines who has served in the Iowa Senate since a 2020 special election, according to The Gazette. She won the Democratic nomination for Iowa's 3rd Congressional District, challenging incumbent Rep. Zach Nunn.
U.S. House - IA-4Chris McGowan (R) · Dave Dawson (D)
Chris McGowan Republican
- strengthening the economy
- reducing wasteful government spending
- securing the southern border
Per the campaign site.
About Chris McGowan
Chris McGowan is the Republican candidate for Iowa's 4th Congressional District on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Secretary of State's 2026 General Election candidate list. McGowan is president of the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce, known in Sioux City and Des Moines for his economic development work, per Iowa Capital Dispatch / KLEM. McGowan ran unopposed in the Republican primary after receiving an endorsement from President Trump ahead of the June 2 primary, per Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Dave Dawson Democratic
- Supports expanding rural health care options, including keeping rural hospitals open
- Supports rural broadband expansion and infrastructure investment
- Supports antitrust enforcement and raising wages for workers
Per the campaign site.
About Dave Dawson
Dave Dawson was born in Cherokee, Iowa, and raised in Washta, Iowa, in a family agricultural business, per his campaign site. He worked nearly two decades as a prosecutor and previously served as a member of the Iowa Legislature, per the campaign site. He is running for Congress in Iowa's 4th District, per the campaign site.
