June 5, 2012 Primary Election

• Early Voting Schedule
• Early Voting Statistics
• List of candidates
• Polling Places and Sample Ballots Polls open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Historic facts and figures, primary elections

No candidates are elected in a primary election.  Instead, the state's two official parties (Democratic and Republican) choose their candidates for the November 6 general election.  Note that president does not appear on the primary ballot, as Iowa instead held its first in the nation caucuses on January 3.

Voters must be registered with a political party to vote in that party's primary.  However, you can change your party affiliation at any time, including Election Day.

This will be the first election using new precincts and new legislative districts. Polls will be open from 7 AM to 9 PM.

Offices to appear on ballot:

US Representative, 2nd Congressional District
State Representative, Districts 73, 74, 77, 85, 86
County Supervisor: three seats (currently held by Harney, Neuzil, Sullivan)
County Auditor
County Sheriff

There will be no U.S. Senate seat on the Iowa ballot in 2012. Senator Harkin's seat will be on the ballot in 2014, and Senator Grassley's seat will be on the 2016 ballot.

Johnson County's three new state senate seats (districts 37, 39 and 43) all elect their senators in non-presidential years, and these seats will be on the 2014 ballot.

Township offices became non-partisan in 2006 and no longer appear on the primary ballot. Township officials may file during the general election filing period, August 6 - 29.

Only candidates of the Democratic and Republican parties will appear on the primary ballot. Parties with political organization status (Green and Libertarian) do not conduct primaries. Candidates who are not Democrats or Republicans may file during the general election filing period: July 30 - August 17 for state and federal offices, August 6 - 29 for county offices.

Dates and deadlines:

• February 27 - March 16 (5 PM deadline): Filing period for US Representative and State Representative; file with Secretary of State. 50 signatures from district required for state representative. Signature requirements for US Representative are based on party vote in 2010. Signature Requirements for 2nd Congressional District
• March 5 - 28 (5 PM deadline): Filing period for county offices; file with auditor. Johnson County: 100 signatures required.
• April 21: Overseas and military ballots must be ready to mail, 45 days before election.
• April 26: First day for early voting at Auditor's Office, 40 days before election.
• May 26: Voter pre-registration deadline. On Saturday, May 26, the Auditor's Office will be open from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. for voter registration, early voting, and other election business.  Register To Vote Voters registering after May 26 must use the election day registration procedure. 
• May 28: Auditor's Office closed for Memorial Day.
• June 1: Deadline to request absentee ballot by mail, 5 p.m.  In person early voting available until Monday, June 4.
• June 2: Auditor's Office open for early voting and election business, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• June 4: Last day for early voting in person.  Satellite voting ends at 5 p.m.  Early voting continues at Auditor's Office until 6 p.m.
• June 5: Election Day. Polls open 7 AM to 9 PM. Vote at new regular polling places.

More information on primary elections