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1. I am a student at a college outside of Linn County. Can I still vote in Linn County?

Yes. Iowans who are temporarily away from their homes do not lose residency for voting purposes. As long as a voter does not register in more than one place, the voter's registration status will remain as it is. Our address is: Linn County Election Services 935 2nd Street SW Cedar Rapids, IA 52404-2100

Absentee Ballot Request Form

2. Do I Need an ID to Register?

No. The Iowa Voter Registration form will ask you to provide your Iowa driver's license number, Iowa non-operator number or the last four digits for your Social Security Number. Please be sure to provide this on the voter registration form so the Linn County Election Services Office can verify your identity. It is best to avoid any problems on election day when you go to cast your ballot!

3. Do I Register at School or Home?

College Students have a choice about where to register to vote. Students must decided between the school or home address for voter registration purposes. 

Registering at Your School Address

Students attending college in Linn County may register at their school address. You must plan to return after temporary absences, like summer break, but do not have to plan to reside at that address permanently.

Students attending Coe College or Cornell College must include what dorm/building they are residing in. Unfortunately, both college campuses cross precinct boundaries which require additional information like your dorm/building name. This additional information allows our office to place you in the correct precinct and issue the proper ballot.

Voter Registration Forms

• Coe College Voter Registration Form (PDF)
• Cornell College Voter Registration Form (PDF)
• Iowa Voter Registration Form (PDF)

Registering at Your Home Address

Students may choose to register or remain registered at a permanent address in Iowa or outside the state. In this case, students may need to vote by absentee ballot.

4. What Type of ID Do I Need to Vote?

Iowa voters are required to show ID at the polls before voting. The ID must be one of the following:

• Iowa Driver's License 
• Iowa Non-Operator's ID
• Military ID
• U.S. Passport
• Tribal ID
• Veteran's ID
• Voter ID Card (must be signed)

If you are not already registered to vote in Iowa and wish to register and vote on Election Day, you must provide proof of identity and residence at the polls to complete Election Day Registration. Click here to view information about Election Day Registration.

5. Where Do I Vote?

• Find your Linn County polling location online.
• Voters must cast their ballots in the correct precinct. There are some polling locations that share the same facility. It is best to pay attention to signs and to be in the right line!

6. How Can I Vote?

By Mail:

Iowa allows voters who expect to be away from, or unable to make it to, their polling location on Election Day to vote by mail-in ballot. Voters have to apply for a mail-in ballot.

The absentee ballot deadline is 10 days before a general election, like a Presidential or Gubernatorial Election, and 11 days before other elections. The absentee ballot request form must be in the Auditor's Office by 5 p.m. on the absentee ballot deadline.

Voters may apply for a mail-in ballot at the office starting 120 days before Election Day and ending the Friday before the election. Completed mail-in ballots must be received by the Election Services' office by the close of polls on Election Day, or postmarked by the day before Election Day and received by noon the following Monday.

Our mailing address is:
Linn County Election Services
935 2^nd Street SW
Cedar Rapids, IA 52404

Early In-person:

Early voting begins no more than 29 days before an election at the Linn County Election Services' Office.

Office hours are Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

 Our office is located in the Jean Oxley Public Service Center on the second floor at 935 2^nd Street SW in Cedar Rapids.

Election Day at the Polls:

The polls are open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. for General (Presidential or Gubernatorial), Primary and Special Partisan Elections.

The polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. for School, City and Special Non-Partisan Election.

Find your Linn County polling location online.