Some potentially useful resources for candidates, campaigns, parties and non-party political organizations.
Information for Candidates on the Secretary of State's website
FAQs - Nomination Papers
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Forms
If you will be registering new voters and/or collecting absentee ballot requests, we can help.
You can download and print off forms here. If you are soliciting absentee ballots, please use the absentee ballot request form with receipt.
Voter Registration
Absentee Ballot Request Form with receipt
SOS Guide to Voter Reg & Absentee Requests
Upon request, the Auditor's Office will provide every campaign with a one-time starter kit of (50) voter registration forms and (50) absentee ballot request forms (pick up only).
We are happy to provide assistance in recognizing common omissions and making sure you are gathering all the required information on forms.
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Maps
A variety of maps is available in our office as well as on the web:
E911 Road Map (free, pickup only--limit one per customer)
County Plat Book ($20 or $23 if mailed)
Story County Road Directory (pdf only, printer-friendly)
County precinct map ($18)
Ames precinct map ($18)
Individual precinct maps (price varies based on size)
View a complete list of maps here. Many of our maps were created for large-format printing and are not necessarily printer-friendly. We can print large-format maps or custom maps, pricing is based upon the size of the paper (see price list). If you would like to order a map, please allow one business day.
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Voter Lists
Voter lists are available upon request. We can provide information for Story County registered voters ONLY. Information from voter registration records can only be used for the following:
To request a registrant's vote at an election
For a genuine political purpose
For bona fide political research
For a bona fide official purpose by an elected official
Requestors of voter lists must provide name, address and phone number as well as the intended use of the list. Using the information for any commercial purpose is a serious misdemeanor under Iowa law.
Voter lists may also be obtained from the Secretary of State.
Story County provides voter lists on CD-ROM only in the form of an Excel spreadsheet. Requestors or their representatives must sign a logbook when picking up the CDs.
The charge for a voter list is $0.50 per 1,000 records. The minimum charge is $10.
To request a list, call 382-7217. Normally, we need one business day to generate a voter list. However, in the days around any election, it may take longer.
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Absentee Lists
Daily absentee lists are available upon request. Information is for Story County only. Absentee voting begins (40) days before a primary or general election and whenever ballots are ready for all other elections.
An email containing an Excel spreadsheet will be sent every day, showing absentee activity. The charge is a one-time $25 fee that must be paid in advance to receive the daily email. To request an absentee list, please call 382-7217. The same information may also be purchased from the Secretary of State's office.
The Secretary of State now has Absentee Tracking which allows you to check on the status of individual absentee ballots.
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Poll Watching
A poll watcher is a person who has official permission to be at the polling place on election day to observe the election process and to challenge voters that the poll watcher believes is not qualified to vote.
Poll watchers may represent:
Candidates whose names appear on the ballot
Political parties and organizations
In all elections other than primary and general elections, groups opposing or supporting approval of questions on the ballot
For more information, please read the documents below.
Poll Watcher's Guide
Poll Watcher's brochure
Poll Watcher Designation Form
(interactive form)
If you have any questions regarding poll watching, please call (515) 382-7217. For additional information, visit the Secretary of State's website.
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Campaign Ethics & Disclosure
For information about candidates' ethics and campaign filing responsibilities and deadlines please contact the Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board.
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Other Resources
Iowa Secretary of State
Iowa Ethics & Campaign Disclosure Board
