You don’t have to wait until Election Day to cast your ballot.
Early voting for the 2026 General Election begins Wednesday, October 14, giving Dubuque County voters several opportunities to vote before Election Day on Tuesday, November 3. Iowa voters can vote absentee by mail, vote absentee in person, or vote at the polls on Election Day.
Whether you want to vote early, check your registration, request a mail-in ballot, or simply make sure you know what to expect, here’s what you need to know.
👉 How to Vote Early
In Iowa, what we often call “early voting” is technically in-person absentee voting.
Beginning October 14, eligible voters can cast an absentee ballot in person before Election Day. You do not need to be out of town or provide a special reason to vote early.
For complete information about registration, absentee voting, voter ID, Election Day voting and other questions, visit the Dubuque County Elections Office’s official guide:
📍 Where to Vote Early in Dubuque County
Early voting is available at the Dubuque County Elections Office, and the county is also offering several satellite voting locations throughout Dubuque County.
Dubuque County Elections Office
880 Central Avenue
Dubuque, IA 52001
Satellite Early Voting Locations & Times
Cascade City Hall
320 1st Ave W
Cascade, IA
Thursday, October 15 @ 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Loras College — 4th Floor Mezzanine, outside Campus Center Ballroom
1450 Alta Vista St
Dubuque, IA
Wednesday, October 21 @ 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Dyersville Social Center
625 3rd Ave SE
Dyersville, IA
Saturday, October 24 @ 7:30 am – 1:30 pm
University of Dubuque Heritage Center, Upper Hall
2255 Bennett St
Dubuque, IA
Tuesday October 27 @ 8:30 am – 2:30 pm
Dubuque County West Campus
1225 Seippel Rd
Dubuque, IA
Wednesday, October 28 @ 9:00 am – 3:00 pm and Thursday, October 29 @ 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Worthington Community Center
216 1st Ave W
Worthington, IA
Friday, October 30 @ 7:45 am – 3:00 pm
Asbury City Hall
5290 Grand Meadows Dr
Asbury, IA
Saturday, October 31 @ 8:00 am – 2:00 pm
Each satellite voting location is open only on specific dates and during specific hours, so check the county’s official schedule before heading out.
🗓️ Important Dates to Know
Wednesday, October 14
Early in-person absentee voting begins, and county auditors may begin mailing absentee ballots to voters who have requested them.
Monday, October 19 at 5:00 PM
Deadline to pre-register to vote for the General Election.
Monday, October 19 at 5:00 PM
Deadline for the county auditor to receive a request for an absentee ballot to be mailed to you.
Monday, November 2
Last day to vote an absentee ballot in person at the county auditor’s office.
Tuesday, November 3
Election Day. Polls are open from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
✉️ Voting by Mail?
If you prefer to vote from home, you can request an absentee ballot by mail.
Your completed absentee ballot request form must be received by the Dubuque County Auditor by 5:00 PM on Monday, October 19.
If you’ve already requested a ballot, follow the instructions included with it carefully and return it promptly.
📝 Take Our Democratic Slate Card With You
There’s a lot on the ballot this year – from federal and statewide offices to state legislative and county races.
Before you vote, take a look at the Dubuque County Democrats 2026 Slate Card to see the Democratic candidates running in Dubuque County.
Need More Voting Information?
We’ve collected voting information, candidate profiles, election dates and other resources in one place on our Vote page.
You can also always refer directly to the Dubuque County Elections Office for official election information: