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Auditor & Elections - Voter Cards

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1. What is a voter card?

The voter card is your record of your voter registration. It also provides you with your polling place information.

When you register to vote or update your voter registration, the Auditor's Office prints out and mails you a voter card. You will also receive a new voter card if your polling place changes permanently.

Each voter card includes a reply card that you may use to make any corrections. If all the information is correct, do not return the card. If you need to change your name, address, or political affiliation, make the correction(s), sign the card, and mail it to our office. You will receive another card with the corrected information.

We cannot accept changes over the phone or via email; Iowa law requires a signature.

If you do not receive a card within two weeks of your registration, please contact our office at (515) 382-7227.

2. Do I need my voter card to vote?

No. Voter cards are provided for reference purposes and to allow you the opportunity to correct any errors with your registration.

A voter card is not a form of identification. In most cases, voters in Iowa do not need to show ID before voting. However, you will be asked for identification in the following situations:

You register to vote on Election Day. In this situation, you will also need to show proof of residence. More information on Election Day registration is available here.
You change your registration address at the polls on Election Day.
You registered by mail and did not provide the correct identification number or documentation.
Mail sent to you by the Auditor's Office was returned to our office by the post office.
We recommend that all voters bring valid photo identification to the polls in case any of the above situations apply.

Here is the list of acceptable forms of photo ID in Iowa. All forms must be current, valid and contain an expiration date.

Iowa driver's license
Out-of-state driver's license
Non-driver identification card
US passport
US military ID
ID card issued by an employer
Student ID issued by an Iowa high school or college

3. I use a PO Box. Why is a street address listed on my voter card?

Voter registration requires a physical address (not a PO Box) to determine your precinct and polling location. This may differ from your mailing address. If the physical address is incorrect, please complete the address area of the reply card, sign the card, and return it to our office.

If you update your registration address on the reply card, also include confirmation of your mailing address, whether it changes or not.

4. What's my political affiliation?

One of five (5) abbreviations will appear on your voter card in the party area:

NON = No Party
DEM = Democratic Party
REP = Republican Party
GR = Green Party
LIB = Libertarian Party

NOTE: Though voters may now register as Green or Libertarian, these groups are legally termed "political organizations" and do not hold primaries.

5. Why are there two polling places listed?

One is your regular polling place and one is your school polling place. These may be the same or they may be different.

You vote at your regular polling place for all general, primary, and city elections.

You will only vote at your school polling place for school elections, including any special elections held by your school district.

6. What is the Voter ID Number?

This is an unique, computer-assigned ID number generated by the state-wide voter registration system to aid in the processing of voter records.

7. Did you print my card the wrong way? The perforations do not match the voter card.

When Iowa switched to a state-wide voter registration system in 2006, Story County still had a LOT of cardstock with perforations based on the old card layout. Once we exhaust that supply, we can correct this issue. In the meantime, you will have to use scissors to cut out your card.

8. I can't find my card. Can I get a new one?

New cards are available upon request. You may request a new card by phone or email, but we cannot change any of your voter information without your signature, e.g., from an updated voter registration form or the changes you submit on the return card.

By law, voter cards must be mailed. Our office normally processes cards every business day.

9. If I come to the office to register, can I get my voter card that day?

No. We are required by law to mail you your card. Our office normally processes cards every business day.