The number of elections in Iowa varies from year to year. Presidential elections are held every four years.

United States presidential election results for Iowa[1]
Year Republican / Whig Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 927,019 55.73% 707,278 42.52% 29,209 1.76%
2020 897,672 53.09% 759,061 44.89% 34,138 2.02%
2016 800,983 51.15% 653,669 41.74% 111,379 7.11%
2012 730,617 46.18% 822,544 51.99% 29,019 1.83%
2008 682,379 44.39% 828,940 53.93% 25,804 1.68%
2004 751,957 49.90% 741,898 49.23% 13,053 0.87%
2000 634,373 48.22% 638,517 48.54% 42,673 3.24%
1996 492,644 39.92% 620,258 50.26% 121,173 9.82%
1992 504,891 37.27% 586,353 43.29% 263,363 19.44%
1988 545,355 44.50% 670,557 54.71% 9,702 0.79%
1984 703,088 53.27% 605,620 45.89% 11,097 0.84%
1980 676,026 51.31% 508,672 38.60% 132,963 10.09%
1976 632,863 49.47% 619,931 48.46% 26,512 2.07%
1972 706,207 57.61% 496,206 40.48% 23,531 1.92%
1968 619,106 53.01% 476,699 40.82% 72,126 6.18%
1964 449,148 37.92% 733,030 61.88% 2,361 0.20%
1960 722,381 56.71% 550,565 43.22% 864 0.07%
1956 729,187 59.06% 501,858 40.65% 3,519 0.29%
1952 808,906 63.75% 451,513 35.59% 8,354 0.66%
1948 494,018 47.58% 522,380 50.31% 21,874 2.11%
1944 547,267 51.99% 499,876 47.49% 5,456 0.52%
1940 632,370 52.03% 578,800 47.62% 4,260 0.35%
1936 487,977 42.70% 621,756 54.41% 33,000 2.89%
1932 414,433 39.98% 598,019 57.69% 24,235 2.34%
1928 623,570 61.77% 379,311 37.57% 6,608 0.65%
1924 537,458 55.02% 160,382 16.42% 278,930 28.56%
1920 634,674 70.91% 227,921 25.46% 32,487 3.63%
1916 280,439 54.25% 221,699 42.89% 14,806 2.86%
1912 119,805 24.33% 185,325 37.64% 187,226 38.03%
1908 275,209 55.62% 200,771 40.58% 18,789 3.80%
1904 308,158 63.39% 149,276 30.71% 28,659 5.90%
1900 307,808 58.04% 209,265 39.46% 13,282 2.50%
1896 289,293 54.42% 233,741 43.97% 8,513 1.60%
1892 219,795 49.60% 196,367 44.31% 26,997 6.09%
1888 211,603 52.36% 179,877 44.51% 12,655 3.13%
1884 197,089 52.25% 177,316 47.01% 2,796 0.74%
1880 183,904 56.99% 105,845 32.80% 32,919 10.20%
1876 171,326 58.50% 112,121 38.28% 9,431 3.22%
1872 131,566 60.81% 71,189 32.90% 13,610 6.29%
1868 120,399 61.92% 74,040 38.08% 0 0.00%
1864 88,500 64.12% 49,525 35.88% 0 0.00%
1860 70,302 54.61% 55,639 43.22% 2,798 2.17%
1856 45,073 48.83% 37,568 40.70% 9,669 10.47%
1852 15,856 44.84% 17,763 50.23% 1,745 4.93%
1848 9,930 44.59% 11,238 50.46% 1,103 4.95%

Since 1972, Iowa has been the first state to vote in presidential primaries, with their caucuses. As with presidential elections, gubernatorial elections are held every four years - but are staggered such that they are held on general elections independently of the presidential election. Members of the Iowa Senate are elected every four years, with half of the Senate elected at each general election; all members of the Iowa House of Representatives are elected every two years. Additionally, elections for various government officials, judicial retention elections, and elections on referendums occur as part of various elections in Iowa.

In a 2020 study, Iowa was ranked as the 24th easiest state for citizens to vote in.[2]

Electoral system

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Party system

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The Iowa Caucus is an electoral event in which residents meet in precinct caucuses in all of Iowa's 1,681 precincts and elect delegates to the corresponding county conventions.

General elections

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In Iowa, a general election is held on Election Day during even-numbered years. In addition to the elections for the chief executive and legislature of the United States and of Iowa, general elections in Iowa include statewide elections for the Secretary of State, Auditor of State, Treasurer of State, Secretary of Agriculture, and Attorney General. Also included are judicial retention elections and proposed amendments to the Iowa Constitution, along with various local elections.

Local elections

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In Iowa, various local officials are elected at the general election. However, school and city elections are not held during a general election, but at a different regularly scheduled time. Regular school elections are held on the second Tuesday in September during odd-numbered years.[3] Regular city elections are held on Election Day during odd-numbered years.[4]

Special elections

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In Iowa, special elections may be held throughout the year to fill various governmental vacancies or to vote on ballot initiatives. Special elections are generally held on Tuesdays and may not generally be held on the same day as a general or local election.[5]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Leip, David. "Presidential General Election Results Comparison – Iowa". US Election Atlas. Retrieved January 1, 2023.
  2. ^ J. Pomante II, Michael; Li, Quan (15 Dec 2020). "Cost of Voting in the American States: 2020". Election Law Journal: Rules, Politics, and Policy. 19 (4): 503–509. doi:10.1089/elj.2020.0666. S2CID 225139517.
  3. ^ Iowa Code § 277.1
  4. ^ Iowa Code § 376.1
  5. ^ Iowa Code § 39.2(1)
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