Atlantic, Iowa – The Cass County Auditor’s Office has released important information regarding the June 2, 2026 Primary Election, and candidate filing deadlines for the November 3, 2026 General Election.
Voter Pre-Registration Deadline for Primary Election
Citizens who are not currently registered to vote but wish to participate in the June 2, 2026 Primary Election are encouraged to complete their voter registration by Monday, May 18, 2026. Voters who meet this deadline will only be required to present identification at their polling place before receiving a ballot.
Eligible citizens who miss the pre-registration deadline may still vote by completing an Election Day Registration form and providing both proof of identification and proof of residence at their polling place.
Primary Election Ballots
Iowa’s primary elections allow political parties to select their candidates for the November 3, 2026 General Election. To participate in the Primary, voters must be registered as either a Republican or Democrat and may vote only that party’s ballot. Voters may update their party affiliation at their polling place on Election Day by re-registering to vote using the Election Day Registration process.
Absentee Voting
The deadline to request an absentee ballot by mail for the Primary Election is Monday, May 18, 2026. Request forms are available on the Iowa Secretary of State’s website, https://sos.iowa.gov/voters/absentee-voting, or by contacting the county auditor’s office at 712-243-4570.
In-person absentee voting will be available in the county auditor’s office during the following times:
• 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 13 – Monday, June 1, 2026
• 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday, May 18 and Friday, May 29, 2026
• 7:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Saturday, May 30, 2026
Polling Locations
To find your polling location, visit the Iowa Secretary of State’s website at https://apps.sos.iowa.gov/elections/voterreg/pollingplace/search.aspx.
Polls in Cass County will be open on election day from 7:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.
General Election Candidate Filing Deadlines
Individuals not affiliated with a political party who wish to appear on the General Election ballot for a partisan office must file the required paperwork by 5:00 p.m. on June 2, 2026 (Primary Election day). Federal and State offices must file with the Secretary of State’s office, while county offices must file with the Cass County auditor’s office.
Candidates seeking non-partisan offices in the General Election, including County Agricultural Extension Council, Soil & Water Conservation District, Edna Township Trustee & Clerk, and Union Trustee & Clerk, must file their candidate paperwork by 5:00 p.m. on August 26, 2026 with the county auditor’s office.
This information is shared in advance to assist voters with planning, but does not replace the official Notice of Election which will be published separately at a later date. For additional information, contact the auditor’s office at 712-243-4570.
