No one is elected in a primary election. Instead, voters affiliated with political parties select their party's candidates for the November general election.

Only the two full-status parties (Democratic and Republican) hold primaries, and only voters registered with a party may vote in a primary. Any voter can declare a party at the time they vote.

Primary ballots only list the candidates for one party. In the general election, which decides who will actually fill the offices, all voters get ballots listing all of the candidates.

The 2026 primary has two significant changes from 2024.

• The Libertarian Party lost full party status following the 2024 general election, and there will not be a Libertarian primary this year.
• Under Senate File 75 (2025), Johnson County is required to elect county supervisors by district. All five supervisor seats will be on the 2026 primary ballot. Voters may only vote in the contest for their own district.

• February 23 - March 13: Filing period for federal and state offices. File with Secretary of State.
• March 2 - March 20: Filing period for county offices. File with auditor's office.

Primary Election Candidate's Guide (Secretary of State)

Nomination Petition Candidates are advised to complete the header information on one page, then make copies of that page, so that all information is consistent. No information may be changed after voters have signed the petition. Under Date Of Election, list the primary date of 6/2/2026, not the general election date. For state legislative and supervisor seats, signatures must be from the district.

Affidavit of Candidacy Notarization is required. Notary service is available at our office.

• March 24: First day to request mailed absentee ballots. Requests received before this date will be returned to the voter as required by law.
• April 18: Military and overseas ballots must be ready by this date.
• May 13: First day for in person early voting and first day mailed ballots may be sent.
• May 18:
  • Voter pre-registration deadline, 5 PM. Election day registration still available after this date.
  • Deadline to request mailed absentee ballots. Requests must be in our office by 5 PM. In person early voting still available after this date.
• June 1: Last day for in person early voting.
• June 2: Polls open 7 AM to 8 PM.

Sample ballots will be available on our Polling Place Lookup following the filing period. Enter an address and choose the Democratic or Republican ballot.

Polls open 7:00 am - 8:00 pm on Tuesday, June 2. 

List of Polling Places
 

Polling Place Moves Since 2024 Primary

Permanent Moves

North Liberty 2: North Liberty City Hall, 360 N. Main St. (was Penn Elementary)

Tiffin 1: Clear Creek Amana Middle School, 311 W. Marengo Rd. (was West Campus Building)

Washington: Hillcrest Academy, 1421 540th St. SW (was Mid-Prairie HSEC)

Temporary Moves

None at present

Return To Regular Location

Iowa City 2: Horn Elementary School (Temporary move in 2024 due to construction)
 

• March 24: First day to request mailed absentee ballots. Requests received before this date will be returned to the voter as required by law.
• May 13: First day for in person early voting and first day mailed ballots may be sent.
• May 18: Deadline to request mailed absentee ballots. Requests must be in our office by 5 PM. In person early voting still available after this date.
• June 1: Last day for in person early voting.
  
  More information about in person early voting will be posted closer to the election.

Will be updated as candidates file. All offices will include a write-in line even if no candidates file.

Democratic Party

Federal Offices

U.S. Senator (six year term)

U.S. Representative, 1st District (two year term)

Statewide Offices

(All terms four years)

Governor

Secretary of State

Auditor of State

Treasurer of State

Secretary of Agriculture

Attorney General

State Senators

(All terms four years)

District 43 map

District 45 map

(Note: District 46 senator elected to four year term in 2024; not on ballot.)

State Representatives

(All terms two years)

District 85 map

District 86 map

District 89 map

District 90 map

District 91 map

District 92 map

County Offices

Board of Supervisors - Districts 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. Two and four year terms to be determined.

County Attorney (four year term)

County Recorder (four year term)

County Treasurer (four year term) 

Republican Party

Federal Offices

U.S. Senator (six year term)

U.S. Representative, 1st District (two year term)

Statewide Offices

(All terms four years)

Governor

Secretary of State

Auditor of State

Treasurer of State

Secretary of Agriculture

Attorney General

State Senators

(All terms four years)

District 43 map

District 45 map

(Note: District 46 senator elected to four year term in 2024; not on ballot.)

State Representatives

(All terms two years)

District 85 map

District 86 map

District 89 map

District 90 map

District 91 map

District 92 map

County Offices

Board of Supervisors - Districts 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. Two and four year terms to be determined.

County Attorney (four year term)

County Recorder (four year term)

County Treasurer (four year term)