2026 General Election
November 3, 2026
General Election
A General Election is the election in which federal and state officers, members of Congress and of the general assembly, county and township officers, and other officers appear on the ballot. General Elections are held the 1st Tuesday after the 1st Monday in November of each even-numbered year.
The 2026 General Election will be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Polling places will be open on Election Day from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Results will be posted on election night.
Pre-Registration deadline for voter registration closes at 5:00pm Monday, October 19, 2026. Persons wishing to participate in this election who register to vote after October 19, 2026, will be required to provide proof of identification (i.e. current and valid photo identification card with an expiration date), AND proof of residency in their voting precinct, when they go to the polls on election day, or when they request an absentee ballot in-person. Other provisions may also apply. Persons not registered to vote by October 19, 2026, should expect a longer processing time at the polls on election day.
Voter ID Requirements
Absentee Ballots will be available beginning Wednesday, October 14, 2026, for mail and in-person voting. Download the absentee ballot request form here.
- The Auditor's Office can begin accepting Request Forms on Tuesday, August 25, 2026.
- The first day of in-person absentee voting and the first day the Auditor's Office can mail ballots is Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
- The deadline to request an absentee ballot to be mailed to a voter for this election is Monday, October 19, 2026.
- In-person absentee voting in the office of the Hancock County Auditor closes at 4:00pm on Monday, November 2, 2026.
- Requests for absentee ballots must be in writing and should be mailed or delivered to: Hancock County Auditor, 855 State St., Garner, IA 50438.
- More information on Absentee Voting follow the link.
All absentee ballots must be received by 8:00pm on Election Day to be considered on time to be counted. Postmarks no longer are acceptable.
Not Affiliated and Non-Party Political Organization (NPPO) Candidates
- State and Federal Offices
- Filing period: Monday, February 23, 2026 - Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at 5:00pm
- This includes candidates nominated by petition and Non-Party Political Organization (NPPO) candidates for state and federal offices filing nomination papers for the General Election.
- Paperwork must be filed with the Secretary of State's Office
- County and Township Offices
- Filing period: Monday, March 2, 2026 - Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at 5:00pm
- This applies to candidates nominated by petition and Non-party Political Organization (NPPO) candidates filing for partisan county offices, as well as Township Clerks & Trustees, for the General Election.
- Paperwork must be filed with the Hancock County Auditor's Office
- Agricultural Extension, County Hospital Trustee, and Soil and Water Offices
- No official filing start date
- Deadline to file: Wednesday, August 26, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.
- Paperwork must be filed with the Hancock County Auditor's Office
NPPO and Non-Partisan Candidates should review the "Running for Office" section for the 2026 General Election.
Candidate Information
Precinct 1
Faith Lutheran Church (Miller) · 1985 290th St. · Garner, IA 50438
Precinct Description
Precinct 1
Townships: Ellington and Madison
Includes: City of Forest City in Hancock County
Precinct 2
Crystal Lake Town Hall · 225 S State Ave. · Crystal Lake, IA 50432
Precinct Description
Precinct 2
Township: Crystal
Includes: City of Crystal Lake
Precinct 3
Woden Community Center · 208 Main · Woden, IA 50484
Precinct Description
Precinct 3
Township: Bingham
Includes: City of Woden
Precinct 4
Britt Municipal Building · 170 Main Ave. S · Britt, IA 50423
Precinct Description
Precinct 4
Township: Britt, Erin, Orthel
Includes: City of Britt
Precinct 5
Duncan Community Hall · 2337 Nation Ave. · Britt, IA 50423
Precinct Description
Precinct 5
Township: Garfield
Precinct 6
Garner Public Library · 416 State St. · Garner, IA 50438
Precinct Description
Precinct 6
Township: Concord
Includes: City of Garner
Precinct 7
Klemme City Hall · 204 E Main St. · Klemme, IA 50449
Precinct Description
Precinct 7
Township: Ell, Liberty
Includes: City of Klemme
Precinct 8
Corwith Community Center · 110 Wayne St. · Corwith, IA 50430
Precinct Description
Precinct 8
Township: Boone, Magor
Includes: City of Corwith
Precinct 9
Kanawha City Hall · 121 N Main St. · Kanawha, IA 50447
Precinct Description
Precinct 9
Township: Amsterdam, Twin Lake
Includes: City of Kanawha
Precinct 10
Goodell Community Hall · 315 Broadway St. · Goodell, IA 50439
Precinct Description
Precinct 10
Township: Avery
Includes: City of Goodell
