A guide for avoiding crowds when you vote
If you’re worried about interacting with a bunch of people when you go to the polls to vote this year, you don’t have to be. In fact, voting is generally low-interaction because discussing your ballot while you’re there isn’t allowed.
But if you really want to talk to as few people as possible, you have some options.
No contact
You can register and vote online/by-mail and interact with absolutely no one if you want to.
To register online, you have to have a valid Iowa license or non-operator ID. If you do, you can follow this link, which will take you to the Iowa Department of Transportation’s website.
With or without ID, you can also print and fill out this one-page form from the Secretary of State’s website. You can then mail it to your auditor’s office or take it to them in person. Our guide for registering to vote has more in-depth information if you need it.
You can also vote if you request a ballot from your county auditor ahead of Election Day, you can fill it out and mail it back (or put it in a drop box) without talking to another soul.
Check out our guide to absentee voting if you want the deadlines and details.
From your car
If you can’t go into the precinct because of a physical or mental disability, curbside voting is probably the most private way to vote. All you have to do is show up to your precinct and call the phone number on the sign. Two poll workers, one from each party, will come out to your car with the ballot and other materials to help you.You don’t have to call anyone ahead of time.
Minimal contact
You can also register to vote in person on Election Day. Just talk to the poll workers and provide your photo ID and proof of your address if your ID doesn’t include your address. For example, you can use bills. (Again, the registration guide has you covered.) After that, you can get your ballot and go vote.
The same goes for voting in person on Election Day. Iowa has voter ID laws, so you just have to show your photo ID and then you can go cast your ballot.
Time your vote
If you want to go in person, remember that polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. To avoid people, you can choose a time in the day when most people are at work and avoid mid-day, when people go to vote over their lunch break.
If someone tries to harass you
Voter intimidation is illegal. No one can:
- Verbally or physically confront you
- Physically intimidate you, such as by standing or hovering nearby as you vote
- Photograph or record you inside a polling place (someone taking crowd shots is okay, as long they’re not taking pictures of you voting. You can also take selfies, but not with your ballot.)
- Disrupt, follow, or interrogate you
- Block you from going into the polling place
If you feel threatened or intimidated, report it. You can call the Election Protection Hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683) and you should report it to Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate at 1-888-SOS-VOTE or online, and report it to your county auditor because it’s their job to keep voting safe.
