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
How much rain does Des Moines get? See the 5 wettest days on record
Wondering how the rainfall total compares? Here are the five wettest days on record for Des Moines, Iowa.
Drought conditions in Iowa improved for a second consecutive week, though areas of moderate drought expanded in parts of the state.
The U.S. Drought Monitor offers a state-by-state tracking of drought conditions nationwide. New maps and forecasts are released each Thursday. What are the current drought conditions in Iowa?
U.S. Drought Monitor map: How much of Iowa is in a drought?
The latest Drought Monitor report, released on Thursday, June 18, showed about 46% of Iowa experiencing some form of drought. This continues the streak of conditions improving week to week in Iowa. The previous report, released on June 11, showed that 63% of the state was experiencing some form of drought.
The most recent report reflects conditions as of 8 a.m. June 16, right as storms were sweeping through Iowa, with parts of eastern Iowa seeing more than 2 inches of rainfall. Light rainfall on June 17 led to areas like Iowa City and Burlington reporting around an inch of rain.
Here is the breakdown of current drought conditions in Iowa:
- 61% of the state of Iowa is experiencing no drought conditions
- 39% of Iowa is experiencing abnormally dry conditions
- 7% of Iowa is experiencing moderate drought conditions
- 0% of Iowa is experiencing severe drought conditions
Even though drought conditions have improved overall in Iowa, the area experiencing moderate drought increased from the week of June 11, particularly in northern Iowa. Much of Cerro Gordo, Hancock and Kossuth counties are under D1 conditions, with nearby Palo Alto, Winnebago, Floyd and Mitchell also in moderate drought.
Pockets of moderate drought also persist along the northwest edge of Iowa in Lyon, Sioux and Plymouth counties. In eastern Iowa, Jackson, Clinton and Scott counties saw their moderate drought status ease week to week.
Most of the U.S. is facing drought conditions
About 73% of the U.S. is experiencing some level of drought, a 2-percentage-point improvement from the prior week. Some of the most intense drought conditions are in the southeast and the mountain west.
Iowa Drought Monitor tracks conditions weekly
The U.S. Drought Monitor offers a state-by-state tracking of drought conditions nationwide. New maps and forecasts are released each Thursday.
The intensity levels range from abnormally dry, or D0, to exceptional drought, or D4.
Typically with D0 conditions, corn can show drought stress. Pond levels start to decline under moderate drought conditions and soybeans abort pods, according to the Drought Monitor. The Drought Monitor also has a look-back chart that compares drought conditions from 3 months ago up to 1 year ago.
Cooper Worth is a service/trending reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach him at cworth@gannett.com or follow him on X @CooperAWorth.
Confirmed tornadoes were reported in Illinois and Iowa Wednesday night as severe weather descended on a large swath of the Midwest.
According to the National Weather Service, a confirmed tornado was reported near the small northeast Iowa community of Harpers Ferry at 5:10 p.m., while a second confirmed tornado rolled through Charleston in central Illinois at about 6:40 p.m. local time.
Both tornadoes were flagged by the weather service as a “particularly dangerous situation,” a rare designation used by the weather service for environments in which “strong and violent tornadoes” are possible.
Photos and videos obtained by CBS News showed extensive damage in Charleston, with downed trees and power lines. Hail that measured 2.75 inches was also reported in the Charleston area, according to the weather service.
“There are a large number of trees blocking roadways throughout Charleston at this time,” Charleston police said in a Facebook post. “Unless it is an absolute emergency, do not drive or attempt to go anywhere.”
The city of Charleston later declared a local state of emergency.
One cell phone video captured the terrifying moments what appeared to be a large tornado tore through Effingham, Illinois, located about 40 miles southwest of Charleston.
Larry Thies, coordinator for the Effingham Emergency Management Agency, told CBS News that initial information indicated damaged buildings, trailers, and downed power lines and trees. He said officials were working to set up an emergency operations center, but were facing challenges because internet was down in the area.
The extent of the damage to region was still unclear. There was no immediate word of injuries or fatalities. CBS News senior meteorologist Rob Marciano said there were at least seven reported tornadoes during the weather event.
According to utility tracker PowerOutage.us, at least 55,000 customers were without power in Illinois.
Earlier Wednesday, Marciano reported that more than 125 million Americans were facing severe weather advisories, including the Gulf Coast states, which were under flood alerts due to Tropical Storm Arthur. Speaking on “CBS Evening News,” Marciano said such ripe tornado conditions were rare for June.
“This is unique for June, this is unusual to have such a strong jet stream just screaming across the country, then you’ve got the summertime tropical moisture coming in…and then some cold air coming in,” Marciano said. “And winds coming at different direction, at different levels, creating that spin. So what that equates to is really the high probability of seeing, not just tornadoes, but intense tornadoes of EF2 strength or higher on the ground for a long time. And also damaging winds at 75 mph or higher, and of course big time hail.”
When is Juneteenth and how is the holiday celebrated
Juneteenth is coming up. Here is what the holiday is about and how it’s celebrated.
It is a busy weekend in Iowa City as summer officially begins on Sunday. From Iowa City Pride and Juneteenth celebrations, there is no shortage of activity happening around town.
Here are four events to check out.
Enter the whimsical world of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ at Lower City Park
Thursday to Sunday: Riverside Theatre’s summer tradition, Shakespeare in the Park, has returned to Lower City Park. Catch a free performance of William Shakespeare’s iconic comedy, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” that follows the chaotic events of four entangled lovers and a troupe of actors wandering into a mystical forest. All of the free shows through the weekend start at 7:30 p.m.
Celebrate Juneteenth with live entertainment and community
Friday: The Black Voices Project and Dream City are teaming up to host the community-wide Juneteenth Celebration. At 1 p.m. Friday, June 19, at the South District Market Parking lot, enjoy live music from Kevin Burt, along with community presentations, activities for all ages, and a fashion showcase.
Show your pride at Iowa City Pride events
Saturday: Iowa City Pride is back for the 56th year. Principal events, the Pride Parade and Pride Festival, will start at noon on Saturday, June 20. The festival will be on the Ped Mall, and the parade will begin at College Green Park, working its way downtown along Iowa Avenue and East Washington Street. The festival runs from 12 to 9 p.m.
Catch a romantic comedy under the stars at FilmScene in the Park
Saturday: FilmScene in the Park returns at 9:15 p.m., Saturday, June 20, with a screening of the cult classic “13 Going on 30″ at Chauncey Swan Park. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Concessions, including beer and wine, will be available 30 minutes before the film begins.
Jessica Rish is an entertainment, dining and education reporter for the Iowa City Press-Citizen. She can be reached at JRish@press-citizen.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @rishjessica_
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