Iowa
Live updates: Election Day in Iowa gets underway
Welcome to Election Day in Iowa!
Polls are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. today as Iowa voters may dodge raindrops to make their way to precincts to cast votes in the presidential race, for Iowa’s four congressional seats and a host of local races.
Iowa was not expected to be a swing state, but a new Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll released on Saturday night showed Vice President Kamala Harris with a 3-point lead over former President Donald Trump.
We’ll be here all day to provide you with updates from around the state and all evening as the latest results come in. Refresh the page and check back often.
When you go to vote on Nov. 5, the top of your Iowa ballot will feature known names such as former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris along with their running mates. But as you make your way down the ticket, some races and candidate names may become less familiar.
Not only will 2024 Iowa general election ballots include two proposed constitutional amendments, but some counties also face ballot measures for multi-million dollar bonds for local projects.
Take a look at what’s on your ballot.
— Kate Kealey
Iowans will decide whether nearly 70 judges, including a Supreme Court justice, will keep their jobs. While Iowa’s judges are appointed, they are required to periodically face voters for retention. If a justice is removed, the governor would appoint a replacement.
This year’s slate includes Supreme Court Justice David May, four Iowa Court of Appeals judges, and 64 district and associate judges. The latter will only appear on ballots for voters in their districts.
Justice May’s retention has caught a lot of attention this election cycle after he joined the 4-3 majority of conservative justices that allowed Iowa’s six-week abortion ban to take effect earlier this year. May was appointed by Gov. Kim Reynolds in 2022, and now voters can say whether he should remain in his seat.
District and appellate judges serve six-year terms, while Supreme Court justices serve eight-year terms.
For more information about Iowa judges up for reelection, check out this article by the Register’s William Morris.
— Cooper Worth
It’s Election Day and polling places in Iowa opened at 7 a.m. this morning. Voters are assigned a polling place within their communities. To find your polling place, visit voterready.iowa.gov or your county auditor’s website.
If you plan on voting in person today, you have to be in line before polls close at 8 p.m.
— Cooper Worth
Iowa does allow voters to register to vote on Election Day at the correct polling location that corresponds with the voter’s address. To do so, the voter must prove their identity and address. A valid Iowa driver’s license with the voter’s current address can meet both requirements.
Other forms of proof of ID include:
- Iowa non-operator ID
- Out-of-state driver’s license or non-operator ID
- U.S. passport
- U.S. military or veteran ID
- ID card issued by an employer
- Student ID issued by Iowa high school or college
- Tribal ID card/document
If your driver’s license does not have your current address, or if you’re using an ID without an address on it, you will also need to provide proof of residency.
The following documents (in paper or electronic form) can serve as proof of residence provided they are dated within the last 45 days:
- Residential lease
- Utility bill (including a cellphone bill)
- Bank statement
- Paycheck
- Government check or other government document
- Property tax statement
— Kate Kealey
Election laws vary by state, making it at times difficult to keep up and remember what the protocol is every year.
Aside from registering and bringing your ID, here are other election rules to know before you head to the polls, which are open 7 a.m. until 8 p.m., in Iowa.
— Kate Kealey
At the top of a ballot will be the presidential race, but from there most races will vary depending on where you live in Iowa. Iowa tickets will have a front and a back, so voters should remember to turn their ballots over to ensure they vote for all their applicable races.
All four of Iowa’s U.S. representative seats are up for election. Iowa House and Senate races will also appear on the ballot. Candidates and races will vary depending on where the voter’s registered address.
Voters will also decide whether to retain Iowa Supreme Court Justice David May and various local judges up for retention.
There will also be two constitutional amendments for Iowans to either approve or deny. A number of county positions such as auditor, sheriff and supervisor will be on the ballot depending on the residence of a voter.
— Kate Kealey
Where do I vote in Iowa? Here’s how to find your precinct.
You can find your precinct on the Secretary of State’s website, voterready.iowa.gov. by entering your ZIP code and address.
— Cooper Worth
How to report problems at the polls on Election Day in Iowa
If you witness questionable activity or have issues while at the polls, visit the Iowa Secretary of State’s website on Election Security or call the office’s voter hotline at 1-888-SOS-VOTE.
Poll watchers will be present across the nation for the general election. These non-government employees can observe parts of the election process, including looking at eligibility slips and challenging a voter’s qualifications. However, they are restricted in what they can do during the election, such as being unable to handle ballots and voting equipment, solicit votes for candidates, or interrupt or talk to a voter while in line or while the voter is approaching the polling place.
Des Moines Register investigative reporters Tyler Jett and Lee Rood will be monitoring election day for any voting problems.
Jett can be reached from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. at:
Contact Rood from 3-11 p.m. at:
Be sure to include your name and contact information so they can get back to you.
— Cooper Worth
Iowa
3 key bills that survived the Iowa funnel deadline — and 2 that didn’t
The Iowa Legislature’s 2nd funnel deadline put an expiration date on dozens of bills that failed to advance far enough this session. Here’s a quick rundown:
What is Iowa’s legislative ‘funnel’ and how does it work? (2026)
What is Iowa’s legislative ‘funnel’ and how does it work? (2026)
The Iowa Legislature’s second funnel deadline has passed, closing the door on dozens of proposed bills.
The self-imposed deadline requires bills to have passed one chamber and be approved by a committee in the opposite chamber by March 20 or be relegated to the trash heap.
What Iowa bills missed the cut?
Among the casualties: bills that would have allowed community colleges to offer some four-year degrees and eliminated all school vaccination requirements.
What Iowa bills made the cut?
Other bills remain alive, including legislation restricting the governor’s emergency powers, allowing Iowans to buy ivermectin over the counter without a prescription and limiting tuition increases at Iowa’s public universities.
What big issues are hung up?
Republicans, who control the Iowa House and Senate, have yet to strike deals on two of the top issues of the legislative session: property tax relief and eminent domain restrictions.
“There are some heavy lifts obviously,” Senate Majority Leader Mike Klimesh, R-Spillville, told reporters. “Property taxes, eminent domain conversation, and budgeting.”
What was the fate of dozens of other Iowa bills?
If you’re looking for a more complete list of bills that lived and died, read our exhaustive roundup of education, health care, business, state government and law enforcement and courts legislation.
Portions of this article appeared in the Des Moines Register’s politics newsletter. Don’t miss out. Sign up here.
Marissa Payne covers the Iowa Statehouse and politics for the Register. Reach her by email at mjpayne@registermedia.com. Follow her on X at @marissajpayne.
Iowa
Iowa Girls High School Basketball: Top Returning Juniors
We have officially closed the book on the 2025-26 Iowa girls high school basketball season with the crowning of state champions and individual all-state and player of the year awards being handed out by High School on SI.
Now, we take a sneak peek towards 2026-27 with a look at some of the top junior players in Iowa girls high school basketball. All numbers are from those listed on Bound.
Iowa Girls High School Basketball: Top Returning Juniors
Melina Snoozy, Sioux City Bishop Heelan
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Snoozy was dominant this past winter again, averaging 21.2 points to lead all juniors while adding eight rebounds, three assists and over two steals per game.
Kylee Pexa, Dunkerton
In addition to her 19 points a game, Pexa contributed almost five steals, five assists and 3.5 rebounds a game.
Ainley Ulrich, North Union
Ulrich nearly helped the Warriors reach the state tournament this past year after posting 20 points with five rebounds and 2.4 steals per game.
Izzy Gilbertson, Mount Ayr
At nearly 21 points and over nine rebounds per game, Gilbertson is a tough opponent to slow down. She also blocked four shots a night with 3.6 assists and 3.6 steals.
Maryn Franken, Sioux Center
Franken posted 20 points per game with nearly nine rebounds while also averaging six steals, three assists and a block to her stat line.
Taryn Petersen, Exira-EHK
Petersen was just a shade under 20 points per game for her team, adding in over six steals, five assists and four rebounds.
Cora Sauer, Lake Mills
Lake Mills went as Sauer did, reaching the regional final before falling to Bishop Garrigan. She contributed 19.7 points, six rebounds, almost four steals and just under four assists a game.
Lizzy Frazell, Waverly-Shell Rock
Frazell and the Go-Hawks continue to make a strong statement, as she finished the year averaging 19 points, six rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks.
Addy Wolfswinkel, Cherokee Washington
Wolfswinkel recently committed to Omaha to play volleyball, but she is strong on the basketball court as well, averaging 19 points, six rebounds, 3.6 assists and 2.5 steals.
Maggie McChesney, Glenwood
In addition to her 19.5 points per game, McChesney averaged eight rebounds, 3.5 steals, three assists and over a block.
KeaOnna Worley, Cedar Rapids Prairie
Watch out for a big senior season from Worley after producing 18 points, nearly five assists, over four rebounds and two steals.
Graclyn Eastman, Bishop Garrigan
Eastman and the Golden Bears reached the finals this past season in Class 1A, as she averaged 17 points, 10 rebounds, three blocks, three steals and two assists.
Katie Muller, Dowling Catholic
The Maroons will lean heavily on Muller next year, as she steps in for sister Ellie Muller. This past year, she averaged 16.5 points, six rebounds, 3.6 assists and a steal.
Fayth Sullivan, North Polk
Sullivan and the Comets made it back to state after she averaged 16 points, nine rebounds, three steals and three assists.
Iowa
H-1B visa holders protest Iowa bill to ban them from universities
Watch as Iowans rally against H‑1B hiring limits at state universities
Iowans rally against HF 2513, a bill prohibiting state universities from hiring H-1B visa holders from countries flagged as foreign adversaries.
Many wore hats and sunglasses and some brought umbrellas to shade themselves from the hot sun as they rallied at the Iowa Capitol in opposition to a bill that would prohibit the hiring of certain visa holders at Iowa’s public universities.
The group of about 150 marched in a circle with signs that read “International scholars build Iowa too,” “Education not discrimination,” and “Strong universities, strong Iowa.”
Iowa State University, the University of Iowa and the University of Northern Iowa, as well as community colleges, would not be able to hire citizens from countries that are designated as foreign adversaries or state sponsors of terrorism under House File 2513. The House passed the bill on March 3 with a 68-27 vote. A Senate subcommittee recommends the bill’s passage.
Faculty members of Iowa State University and the University of Iowa spoke to the crowd at the rally Saturday, March 21 about their experiences as H-1B visa holders and how the bill would affect the university system and Iowa.
Hongwei Zhang, a computer engineering professor at Iowa State since 2017, said in an interview that “by this bill, H-1B visa holders may lose their rights to stay in Iowa. Essentially, families will potentially, starting July 1, have to move out of the state.”
Zengyi Shao, a chemical engineering professor at Iowa State, became a H-1B visa holder after completing her PhD at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 2009 and later became a U.S. citizen. The process took 17 years, she said, and “many people of Chinese origin who now work in universities and community colleges have followed this same path.”
“If this bill had been in place years ago, I would not have been able to come to Iowa and serve as an educator,” she said to the crowd. Shao has been teaching at Iowa State since 2013.
American flags were flown during the rally, organized by the Chinese Association of Iowa, United Chinese Americans, the Iowa City Area Chinese Association, the Chinese Faculty and Staff of Central Iowa Association, and Iowans for Brighter Future.
“What worries me is it will also push those who are already here, not including many current or even previous H-1B visa holders, to live in other states that are more welcoming,” Shao said. “So if this happens, basically the spirit of Iowa nice will likely become a thing of the past.”
Jie Lie, a researcher at Iowa State University who has lived in Iowa since 2009 and worked at the university since 2011, said the H-1B visa is a “pipeline of global talents for the United States.”
“It’s just trying to put Iowa in a very bad place,” Lie said of the bill.
What is House File 2513? What would it do if passed?
An H-1B visa allows “non-immigrant alien workers” to be hired for “specialty occupations or as fashion models,” according to the U.S. Department of Labor. A “specialty occupation” requires specialized knowledge and a minimum education of a bachelor’s degree, helping employers hire qualified candidates who cannot fulfill the needed skills and abilities of the U.S. workforce.
Having an H-1B visa allows for the temporary employment of qualified candidates who may not otherwise be authorized to work in the United States.
Under HF 2513, even those who hold a valid H-1B visa would be prohibited from entering into an employment contract if they come from countries identified as foreign adversaries or as state sponsors of terrorism, including China, North Korea, Iran, Syria, Russia and Venezuela. If passed, it would take effect July 1.
During floor debate, Rep. Skyler Wheeler, R-Hull, said that “our universities are for Americans and Americans first.”
“This bill enhances national security and protects sensitive research at Iowa’s public universities by preventing potential risks from espionage or intellectual property theft associated with hires from adversarial nations such as China, aligning with broader U.S. concerns over foreign influence in academia while prioritizing American or allied talent,” Wheeler said.
There are about 120 employees through the H-1B visa program at Iowa’s state universities, according to the Iowa Board of Regents.
“If this bill passes, our jobs are gone,” said Emily Gao, an assistant teaching professor of architecture at Iowa State and an H-1B visa holder.
Iowa would join Texas, Florida in H-1B hiring halt
Iowa isn’t the first state to eye restrictions on hiring employees through the H-1B visa program.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Jan. 27 called for the freeze of new H-1B petitions at all Texas state agencies and universities, as well as a review of the current H-1B visa program “abuse.”
The Florida Board of Governors, which oversees the state’s university system, approved a one-year ban on hiring through the H-1B visa program on March 2.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said in a social media post in October universities across the nation are “importing foreign workers on H-1B visas instead of hiring Americans who are qualified and available to do the job.”
Iowa’s restrictions on H-1B visa hiring would follow President Donald Trump’s restrictions on the visa holders, unveiled in September, that decried the “large-scale replacement of American workers” and “systemic abuse” of the H-1B program and lamented the growth in the foreign share of the workforce in computer and math occupations.
The Iowa Capital Dispatch contributed to this report.
Kyle Werner is the breaking news and public safety reporter for the Register. Reach him at kwerner@registermedia.com.
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