Ballot access requirements for political candidates in Iowa

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Note: This article is not intended to serve as an exhaustive guide to running for public office. Individuals should contact their state election agencies for further information.

In order to get on the ballot in Iowa, a candidate for state or federal office must meet a variety of state-specific filing requirements and deadlines. These regulations, known as ballot access laws, determine whether a candidate or party will appear on an election ballot. These laws are set at the state level. A candidate must prepare to meet ballot access requirements well in advance of primaries, caucuses, and the general election.

There are three basic methods by which an individual may become a candidate for office in a state.

1. An individual can seek the nomination of a state-recognized political party.
2. An individual can run as an independent. Independent candidates often must petition in order to have their names printed on the general election ballot.
3. An individual can run as a write-in candidate.

This article outlines the steps that prospective candidates for state-level and congressional office must take in order to run for office in Iowa. For information about filing requirements for presidential candidates, see "Ballot access requirements for presidential candidates in Iowa." Information about filing requirements for local-level offices is not available in this article (contact state election agencies for information about local candidate filing processes).

See state election laws

Year-specific filing information

2024

U.S. Senate

For information on candidate ballot access requirements in Iowa, click here.

U.S. House

The table below details filing requirements for U.S. House candidates in Iowa in the 2024 election cycle. For additional information on candidate ballot access requirements in Iowa, click here.

Filing requirements for U.S. House candidates, 2024
State	Office	Party	Signatures required	Filing fee	Filing deadline	Source
Iowa	U.S. House	Ballot-qualified party	1,726, including at least 47 signatures from ½ of the counties in the district	N/A	3/15/2024	Source
Iowa	U.S. House	Unaffiliated	1,726, including at least 47 signatures from ½ of the counties in the district	N/A	8/24/2024	Source

For filing information from previous years, click "[Show more]" below.

Show more

2022

U.S. Senate

The table below details filing requirements for U.S. Senate candidates in Iowa in the 2022 election cycle. For additional information on candidate ballot access requirements in Iowa, click here.

Filing requirements for U.S. Senate candidates, 2022
State	Office	Party	Signatures required	Filing fee	Filing deadline	Source
Iowa	U.S. Senate	Ballot-qualified party	3,500, including at least 100 signatures from at least 19 counties	N/A	3/18/2022	Source
Iowa	U.S. Senate	Unaffiliated	3,500, including at least 100 signatures from at least 19 counties	N/A	8/19/2022	Source

U.S. House

The table below details filing requirements for U.S. House candidates in Iowa in the 2022 election cycle. For additional information on candidate ballot access requirements in Iowa, click here.

Filing requirements for U.S. House candidates, 2022
State	Office	Party	Signatures required	Filing fee	Filing deadline	Source
Iowa	U.S. House	Ballot-qualified party	1,726, including at least 47 signatures from ½ of the counties in the district	N/A	3/18/2022	Source
Iowa	U.S. House	Unaffiliated	1,726, including at least 47 signatures from ½ of the counties in the district	N/A	8/19/2022	Source

Governor

The table below details filing requirements for gubernatorial candidates in Iowa in the 2022 election cycle. For additional information on candidate ballot access requirements in Iowa, click here.

Filing requirements for gubernatorial candidates, 2022
State	Office	Party	Signatures required	Filing fee	Filing deadline	Source	Notes
Iowa	Governor	Ballot-qualified party	3,500	N/A	3/18/2022	Source
Iowa	Governor	Unaffiliated	3,500	N/A	8/19/2022	Source

2020

U.S. Senate

The table below details filing requirements for U.S. Senate candidates in Iowa in the 2020 election cycle. For additional information on candidate ballot access requirements in Iowa, click here.

Filing requirements for U.S. Senate candidates, 2020
State	Office	Party	Signatures required	Signature formula	Filing fee	Filing fee formula	Filing deadline	Source
Iowa	U.S. Senate	Democratic	3,155	0.5% of votes cast for the party's candidate for governor in 2018	N/A	N/A	3/13/2020	Source
Iowa	U.S. Senate	Republican	3,337	0.5% of votes cast for the party's candidate for governor in 2018	N/A	N/A	3/13/2020	Source
Iowa	U.S. Senate	Unaffiliated	1,500	Fixed number	N/A	N/A	3/13/2020	Source

U.S. House

The table below details filing requirements for U.S. House candidates in Iowa in the 2020 election cycle. For additional information on candidate ballot access requirements in Iowa, click here.

Filing requirements for U.S. House candidates, 2020
State	Office	Party	Signatures required	Signature formula	Filing fee	Filing fee formula	Filing deadline	Source
Iowa	1st Congressional District	Democratic	1,656	1% of votes cast for the party's candidate for governor in the district in 2018	N/A	N/A	3/13/2020	Source
Iowa	1st Congressional District	Republican	1,614	1% of votes cast for the party's candidate for governor in the district in 2018	N/A	N/A	3/13/2020	Source
Iowa	1st Congressional District	Unaffiliated	375	Fixed number	N/A	N/A	3/13/2020	Source
Iowa	2nd Congressional District	Democratic	1,606	1% of votes cast for the party's candidate for governor in the district in 2018	N/A	N/A	3/13/2020	Source
Iowa	2nd Congressional District	Republican	1,497	1% of votes cast for the party's candidate for governor in the district in 2018	N/A	N/A	3/13/2020	Source
Iowa	2nd Congressional District	Unaffiliated	375	Fixed number	N/A	N/A	3/13/2020	Source
Iowa	3rd Congressional District	Democratic	1,830	1% of votes cast for the party's candidate for governor in the district in 2018	N/A	N/A	3/13/2020	Source
Iowa	3rd Congressional District	Republican	1,690	1% of votes cast for the party's candidate for governor in the district in 2018	N/A	N/A	3/13/2020	Source
Iowa	3rd Congressional District	Unaffiliated	375	Fixed number	N/A	N/A	3/13/2020	Source
Iowa	4th Congressional District	Democratic	1,220	1% of votes cast for the party's candidate for governor in the district in 2018	N/A	N/A	3/13/2020	Source
Iowa	4th Congressional District	Republican	1,874	1% of votes cast for the party's candidate for governor in the district in 2018	N/A	N/A	3/13/2020	Source
Iowa	4th Congressional District	Unaffiliated	375	Fixed number	N/A	N/A	3/13/2020	Source

State House

The table below details filing requirements for Iowa House of Representatives candidates in the 2020 election cycle.

Filing requirements for state legislative candidates, 2020
Chamber name	Party	Signatures required	Filing fee	Filing deadline	Source
Iowa House of Representatives	All candidates	50	N/A	3/13/2020	Source

State Senate

The table below details filing requirements for Iowa State Senate candidates in the 2020 election cycle.

Filing requirements for state legislative candidates, 2020
Chamber name	Party	Signatures required	Filing fee	Filing deadline	Source
Iowa State Senate	All candidates	100	N/A	3/13/2020	Source

2018

See also: State and federal candidate filing deadlines for 2018 and Iowa elections, 2018

See below for 2018 candidate filing deadlines.

March 16, 2018

2016

See also: Iowa elections, 2016

The calendar below lists important dates for political candidates in Iowa in 2016.

Dates and requirements for candidates in 2016
Deadline	Event type	Event description
February 29, 2016	Ballot access	Primary candidate filing period opens
March 18, 2016	Ballot access	Primary candidate filing period ends
May 19, 2016	Campaign finance	Report due covering January 1 through May 14
June 3, 2016	Campaign finance	Special supplementary report due for certain contributions
June 7, 2016	Election date	Primary election
July 19, 2016	Campaign finance	Report due covering May 15 through July 14
August 1, 2016	Ballot access	General election candidate filing period opens
August 19, 2016	Ballot access	General election candidate filing period ends
October 19, 2016	Campaign finance	Report due covering July 15 through October 14
November 4, 2016	Campaign finance	Special supplementary report due for certain contributions
November 8, 2016	Election date	General election
January 19, 2017	Campaign finance	Report due covering October 15 through December 31
Sources: Iowa Secretary of State, "Three Year Election Calendar," accessed June 5, 2015 Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board, "Reporting Dates," accessed June 5, 2015

2015

To view historical information for 2015, click [show] to expand the section.
See also: Iowa elections, 2015 There were no regularly scheduled state executive, state legislative, or congressional elections in Idaho in 2015.

2014

To view historical information for 2014, click [show] to expand the section.

See also: Iowa elections, 2014 Iowa had a primary election on June 3, 2014. The general election took place on November 4, 2014. Voters elected candidates to serve in the following state and federal offices: Governor of Iowa Lieutenant Governor of Iowa Iowa Attorney General Iowa Secretary of State Iowa Treasurer Iowa Auditor Iowa Agriculture Commissioner 1 seat in the United States Senate 4 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives 25 seats in the Iowa House of Representatives The filing deadline for primary candidates was March 14, 2014. Only the two major parties, Democratic and Republican, were permitted to participate in the primary election. For general election candidates, the filing deadline was August 15, 2014. Any challenges to candidates' nominating petitions had to be filed by March 21, 2014 if challenging a primary election candidate and by August 22, 2014 if challenging a general election candidate. These dates, along with campaign finance reporting deadlines, are listed in the table below. Legend:      Ballot access     Campaign finance     Election date Dates and requirements for candidates in 2014 Deadline Event type Event description January 19, 2014 Campaign finance Report covering 2013 due March 14, 2014 Ballot access Candidate filing deadline for the primary election March 21, 2014 Ballot access Deadline to challenge primary election candidates' nominating petitions May 19, 2014 Campaign finance Report covering January 1 through May 14 due May 30, 2014 Campaign finance Supplementary report covering May 15 through May 27 due (if applicable) June 3, 2014 Election Date Primary election date July 19, 2014 Campaign finance Report covering May 15 or May 28 through July 14 due August 15, 2014 Ballot access Candidate filing deadline for the general election August 22, 2014 Ballot access Deadline to challenge general election candidates' nominating petitions October 19, 2014 Campaign finance Report covering July 15 through October 15 due October 31, 2014 Campaign finance Supplementary report covering October 15 through October 28 due (if applicable) November 4, 2014 Election Date General election January 19, 2015 Campaign finance Report covering October 15 or October 29 through December 31 due

Process to become a candidate

See statutes: Title II of the Iowa Code

There are four ways in which a candidate can gain access to the general election ballot: by primary election, by political party convention, by Non-party Political Organization (NPPO) convention, or by petition. These are detailed below.

Iowa allows any registered voter to challenge a candidate's nominating petition, as long as the challenge is made in writing and within 74 days of the corresponding election.

By primary election

A candidate seeking the nomination of a state-recognized political party in a primary election must be a member of that party. Non-party Political Organizations (NPPOs) are not permitted to participate in primary elections. A primary election candidate must file an affidavit of candidacy and nomination petition with the Iowa Secretary of State during the primary election filing period, which begins 99 days before the primary and ends at 5 p.m. on the 81st day before the primary. The affidavit of candidacy and the nomination petition must be filed simultaneously.

For the number of signatures required for nomination petitions, see the table below.

Formulas for determining signature requirements for political party candidates in primary elections
Office sought	Number of signatures needed
Governor or United States Senator	"At least 1 percent of the voters of the candidate's party, in each of at least 10 counties in the state, and in the aggregate not less than 0.5 perfect of the total vote of the candidate's party in the state, as shown in the last general election"
State executive office (other than governor)	1,000, including 50 from each of at least 10 counties in the state
United States Representative	"At least 2 percent of the voters of the candidate's party, as shown by the last general election, in each of at least one-half of the counties of the district, and in the aggregate not less than 1 percent of the total vote of the candidate's party in such district, as shown by the last general election"
State Senator	100 from the senatorial district
State Representative	50 from the representative district

By political party convention

If a political party fails to nominate a candidate at the primary election, the party may hold a convention after the primary to nominate a candidate. That candidate must then file a political party convention certificate and an affidavit of candidacy. The deadline to file the convention certificate and affidavit of candidacy is the same as the general election filing deadline. However, a political party convention candidate may file his or her documents before the filing period begins for general election candidates.

By Non-party Political Organization (NPPO) convention

Non-party Political Organizations (NPPOs) are permitted to hold conventions to nominate their candidates. However, in order to qualify their nominations, NPPOs must meet the following requirements:

• To nominate a candidate to a state executive office or the United States Senate, 500 eligible electors, meaning people who meet all the requirements to register to vote, must attend the convention, and 25 counties must be represented by at least one eligible elector each.
• To nominate a candidate to the United States House of Representatives, 200 eligible electors who are residents of the congressional district the candidate seeks to represent must attend, including one eligible elector from at least half of the counties in the district.
• To nominate a candidate to the Iowa State Senate, 50 eligible electors who are residents of the senatorial district must attend, including one eligible elector from one-half of the precincts in the senatorial district.
• To nominate a candidate to the Iowa House of Representatives, 25 eligible electors who are residents of the representative district must attend, including one eligible elector from one-half of the precincts in the representative district.
• A convention may be held at any time as long as it is before the general election filing deadline.
• After the convention, the NPPO must provide a list of those who attended the convention, including their addresses, to the Iowa Secretary of State, along with a convention certificate and an affidavit of candidacy for the candidate nominated. These documents must be filed together during the general election filing period, which begins 99 days before the general election and ends at 5 p.m. 81 days before the general election.

By petition

A candidate who is not affiliated with any political party or NPPO can be nominated by petition. A NPPO candidate can gain ballot access in this manner if the NPPO cannot meet the convention attendance requirements described above. A petition candidates must file an affidavit of candidacy and nomination petition with the Iowa Secretary of State. These forms must be filed together by 5 p.m. 81 days before the general election.

The table below details the signature requirements necessary for obtaining ballot access by petition.

Formulas for determining signature requirements for NPPO candidates
Office sought	Number of signatures needed
United States Senator or governor	3,500 eligible electors, including at least 100 from at least 19 counties
Otherwise statewide executive offices	2,500 eligible electors, including at least 77 from at least 18 counties
United States Representative	1,726 eligible electors who are residents of the congressional district, including at least 47 eligible electors each from at least one-half of the counties in the congressional district

Petition requirements

See also: Methods for signing candidate nominating petitions

In some cases, political parties and/or candidates may need to obtain signatures via the petition process to gain ballot access. This section outlines the laws and regulations pertaining to petitions and circulators in Iowa.

In Iowa, most candidates are required to file nomination petitions with the Iowa Secretary of State. Any eligible elector may sign a candidate's nomination petition. Eligible electors do not have to be registered to vote, but they do need to be U.S. citizens, Iowa residents, and 18 years of age or older. Eligible electors cannot be judged incompetent to vote in a court of law, claim the right to vote anywhere else, or be convicted felons, unless a president or governor has reinstated their voting rights.

There is no limit to the number of nomination petitions an eligible elector may sign for different candidates. When signing a nominating petition, an eligible elector must include his or her address.

There is no designated start date for collecting signatures for nomination petitions. Signatures may be collected at any time. A candidate may sign his or her own nomination petition as long as the candidate is considered an eligible elector in the district he or she is seeking to represent.

The state code does not establish circulator requirements. Specifically, there are no residency requirements for circulators.

Noteworthy events

March 8, 2021: Governor signs legislation modifying filing requirements for non-party candidates

On March 8, 2021, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds (R) signed SF413 into law, making the following modifications to the state's ballot access protocols:

• For non-party candidates nominated via convention, SF413 increased the attendance requirements as follows:
  • For governor, statewide offices, and U.S. Senator, from 250 electors to 500.
  • For U.S. House candidates, from 50 to 200 electors.
  • For Iowa State Senate candidates, from 20 to 50 electors.
  • For Iowa House of Representatives candidates, from 10 to 25 electors.
• For non-party candidates nominated via petition, SF413 increased the petition signature requirements as follows:
  • For governor and U.S. Senator, from 1,500 electors in at least 10 counties to 3,500 electors, including at least 100 from at least 19 counties.
  • For other statewide offices, from 1,500 electors from at least 10 counties to 2,500 electors, including at least 77 from at least 18 counties.
  • For U.S. House candidates, from 375 electors to 1,726 electors, including at least 77 from at least 18 counties.

The bill cleared both chambers of the state legislature on party lines, with all present Republicans voting in favor and all present Democrats voting against it.

Election-related agencies

See also: State election agencies

Iowa Secretary of State

First Floor, Lucas Building

321 E. 12th St.

Des Moines, Iowa 50319

Telephone: 515-281-0145

Toll-free: 1-888-767-8683

Fax: 515-281-4682

Email: sos@sos.iowa.gov

Website: http://sos.iowa.gov/elections/

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Term limits

State executives

See also: State executives with term limits and States with gubernatorial term limits

Iowa does not place term limits on state executives.

State legislators

See also: State legislatures with term limits

Iowa does not place term limits on state legislators.

Congressional partisanship

See also: List of United States Representatives from Iowa and List of United States Senators from Iowa

Below is the current partisan breakdown of the congressional delegation from Iowa.

Congressional Partisan Breakdown from Iowa
Party	U.S. Senate	U.S. House	Total
Democratic	0	0	0
Republican	2	4	6
Independent	0	0	0
Vacancies	0	0	0
Total	2	4	6

State legislative partisanship

Below is the current partisan breakdown of the state legislature of Iowa.

Iowa State Senate

Party		As of January 2024
	Democratic Party	16
	Republican Party	34
	Other	0
	Vacancies	0
Total		50

Iowa House of Representatives

Party		As of January 2024
	Democratic Party	36
	Republican Party	64
	Other	0
	Vacancies	0
Total		100

Related legislation

The embedded table below lists state bills affecting ballot access requirements for candidates introduced in Iowa. The following information is included for each bill:

• State
• Bill number
• Official name or caption
• Most recent action date
• Legislative status
• Topics dealt with by the bill

Bills are organized alphabetically, first by state and then by bill number. To view additional results, use the arrows in the upper-right corner of the table. For more information about a particular bill, simply click the bill number. This will open a separate page with additional information.

Ballotpedia’s comprehensive Ballotpedia's Election Administration Legislation Tracker is the basis for this data. This user-friendly tracker covers thousands of election-related bills in state legislatures, and organizes them by topic with neutral, expert analysis from Ballotpedia’s election administration researchers.

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See also

• Ballot access requirements for presidential candidates in Iowa
• Ballot access requirements for political parties in Iowa
• Iowa elections, 2024
• Campaign finance requirements in Iowa
• Counties in Iowa
• List of United States Representatives from Iowa
• List of United States Senators from Iowa
• Methods for signing candidate nominating petitions
• State executives with term limits
• States with gubernatorial term limits
• State legislatures with term limits

External links

Official state and federal links

• Iowa Secretary of State
• Federal Election Commission
• Iowa Secretary of State, "Candidate's Guide to the Primary Election, June 4, 2024"
• Iowa Secretary of State, "Candidate's Guide to the General Election, November 5, 2024"

Other information

• Ballot Access News – News updates and analysis of ballot access issues
• ThirdPartyPolitics.us – Blog about American third party and independent politics
• National Voter Outreach – Political consulting firm that specializes in organizing petition signature drives