Countdown to Election 2025
Primary Election – October 7, 2025 (only if needed)
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Only needed if more than double the amount of candidates run for seats open
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No one is elected at a city primary. The candidates who receive the most votes are nominated to appear on the regular city election ballot, up to twice the number of seats open. The regular city election will be on November 4, 2025.
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In Polk County, Ankeny, Bondurant, and Johnston are primary cities
July 29, 2025 - First day to request an absentee ballot to be sent by mail. Ballots will be mailed from September 17 – 22, 2025.
August 11 – August 28, 2025 – Filing dates for primary city election.
September 17, 2025 – First day to vote in the Election Office. Also, first day requested mail ballots can be mailed to voters that have requested a ballot.
September 22, 2025 – All absentee ballot requests MUST be physically received by 5 p.m. Postmarks do not count – the request must physically be in office by 5 p.m.. Voters can still vote early in person.
October 7, 2025 – Polls open from 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. (if a primary is triggered)
Regular and School Election – November 4, 2025
August 26, 2025 - First day to request an absentee ballot to be sent by mail. Ballots will be mailed October 15 -20, 2025.
August 25 – September 18, 2025 – Filing dates for regular, school and runoff cities.
October 15, 2025 – First day to vote in the Election Office. Also, first day requested mail ballots can be mailed to voters that have requested a ballot.
October 20, 2025 – All absentee ballot requests MUST be physically received by 5 p.m.. Postmarks do not count – the request must physically be in office by 5 p.m.. Voters can still vote early in person.
November 4, 2025 – Polls open from 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Runoff Cities – December 2, 2025 (only if needed in Clive and West Des Moines)
If a candidate receives a majority of votes on Election Day (November 4, 2025), they are declared elected and no further elections are needed. If no candidate receives a majority (or, in multi-seat races: the number of positions divided by 2, plus 1 vote), there will be a runoff election called.
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In a runoff situation, the candidates who received the most votes on Election Day will be on the ballot. There will be twice as many candidates who advance to the runoff as there are seats to fill (i.e. two candidates for a single seat, four candidates for two seats, etc.).
More information can be found here: https://www.polkcountyiowa.gov/county-auditor/election/news-and-press-releases/city-school-election-november-4-2025-candidate-information/
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Additional Information
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Confirm your polling station here and your NEW precinct number HERE.
And check your voter registration status HERE.
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You don’t want any last-second surprises on NOVEMBER 4th!
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Additional Resources:
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Polk County Elections Office:
>> NEW ADDRESS <<
2309 Euclid Ave.
Des Moines, IA 50310
Monday - Friday: 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., except holidays
Phone (515) 286-3247
Fax (515) 286-2099
polkcountyiowa.gov/county-auditor/election/
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Polk County Democrats
3839 Merle Hay Rd., Ste 209
Des Moines, IA 50310
Phone: (515) 318-7729
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Not in Polk County? Find your County Auditor’s office here: https://sos.iowa.gov/elections/auditors/auditorslist.html