Everything you need to vote in Dubuque County — registration information, deadlines, voting options, polling locations, and answers to common questions.
Every election shapes the places we live our daily lives — our schools, our streets, our libraries, our parks, and the future we’re building together in Dubuque County. Voting is one of the simplest ways to show up for your neighbors and for the community you want to live in.
It matters more than people think.
In Iowa’s 2024 general election, about 74.17% of registered voters cast a ballot, which means hundreds of thousands of registered Iowans still did not vote. In Dubuque County’s 2025 city and school election, turnout was just 34.6%.
When turnout is low, a relatively small number of votes can shape decisions that affect all of us. That’s why your vote matters so much!
Voters who make a plan are much more likely to follow through. Taking two minutes to make a plan now makes voting easier later.
Before you vote, make sure you’re registered.
You can register to vote in Iowa if you meet all of these requirements:
Registering to vote is quick and flexible — you can do it online, by mail, or in person. Choose the option that works best for you.
Register in minutes using your Iowa driver’s license or state ID.
Fill out a voter registration form and send it to the Dubuque County Auditor.
Register at the Auditor’s Office – or even on Election Day at your polling place.
Same-Day Registration
You can register and vote at the same time on Election Day at the polling place for your current address. In Iowa, you’ll need to show both proof of identity and proof of address. The easiest option is a valid Iowa driver’s license with your current address on it.
Bring:
Accepted proof of address must include your name, your current address, and be dated within the last 45 days. It can be shown on paper or electronically on your phone.
Accepted examples include:
A quick note: subscription bills like Netflix or Amazon are not listed as accepted proof of address, so it’s best to bring one of the documents above.
Don’t have ID and/or proof of address?
A registered voter from your precinct can attest for you at the polls. You and your attester will both need to sign an oath.
There are three easy ways to vote in Dubuque County:
Want to vote before Election Day? You can vote early in person at the Dubuque County Elections Office.
Want to vote from home? You can request an absentee ballot, fill it out, and return it by mail.
Postmarks do not count — if your ballot arrives late, it will not be counted. We recommend mailing your ballot at least 1 week before Election Day.
Prefer to vote in person on Election Day? You can vote at your assigned polling place. Your polling place is based on your current address — and it can change between elections.
2026 Primary
2026 General Election
To register, you must be a U.S. citizen, an Iowa resident, at least 18 years old by Election Day, and not currently serving a felony sentence.
See more: https://elections.dubuquecountyiowa.gov/pages/voting-register
Yes. Iowa allows same-day registration at your polling place for your current address. You can register and vote at the same time on Election Day.
See more: https://sos.iowa.gov/voters/election-day
You will need proof of identity and proof of address. If your ID shows your current address, that is often the easiest option. If not, you can use a qualifying proof-of-address document.
See more: https://sos.iowa.gov/voters/election-day
Accepted proof of address must include your name and current address and can be shown on paper or electronically. Examples include a residential lease, utility bill including a cell phone bill, bank statement, paycheck, government check or other government document, or a property tax statement.
A registered voter in your precinct may attest for you at the polls. If you do not have the required ID or an attester, you may be offered a provisional ballot and can provide ID by the county canvass deadline.
Accepted IDs include an Iowa driver’s license, Iowa non-operator ID, U.S. passport, U.S. military or veteran ID, tribal ID or tribal document, or an Iowa voter ID card.
You should vote based on your current address. If your registration is not updated yet, Iowa’s same-day registration process lets you update it and vote at the polling place for your current address.
On Election Day, you must vote at your assigned polling place. Dubuque County’s elections website has a polling place lookup based on your current address.
See more: https://elections.dubuquecountyiowa.gov/pages/voting-where-to
Yes. In-person absentee voting begins the Wednesday 20 days before the election at the Dubuque County Elections Office. The county’s Upcoming Elections page posts current dates, hours, and any satellite or extended options for each election.
See more: https://elections.dubuquecountyiowa.gov/pages/election-upcoming
The Dubuque County Elections Office is at 880 Central Ave., Dubuque, IA. County office hours listed on the elections site are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday, and election-specific early voting details are posted on the Upcoming Elections page.
See more: https://elections.dubuquecountyiowa.gov/pages/election-upcoming
To vote by mail, you must submit an Absentee Ballot Request Form to your county auditor. Dubuque County’s absentee voting page links voters to the request options and instructions.
See more: https://elections.dubuquecountyiowa.gov/pages/voting-absentee
A written application for a mailed absentee ballot must be received by your county auditor by 5:00 PM, 15 days before the election.
See more: https://elections.dubuquecountyiowa.gov/pages/voting-absentee
Your completed absentee ballot must arrive at the county auditor’s office by 8:00 PM on Election Day. Iowa no longer counts ballots based on postmark alone.
Yes. The Iowa Secretary of State provides an absentee ballot tracking tool for voters.
See more: https://apps.sos.iowa.gov/elections/absenteeballotstatus/absentee/search
Polls are open from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM on Election Day.
Yes — kids are welcome in the voting booth.
Any voter who requires assistance in voting may bring someone with them to assist, or two poll workers from different political parties will be glad to assist you as needed.
You can read more about accessibility needs here: https://sos.iowa.gov/voters/elections-accessibility
If a ballot scanner rejects your ballot, notify a precinct election official for assistance.
You can verify your registration status on the Iowa Secretary of State website.
If you have questions or need help making a plan — including finding your polling place or getting to the polls — we’re here to help.
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You’ve got everything you need. Now it’s time to take the next step.
