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UpdateIowaThursday, November 5, 2026

Iowa moves through audits and canvassing after 2026 election

This page covers the post-election process underway in Iowa, including audits, canvassing deadlines, and recount rules.

By the Democracy SENTRY deskPublished

Reporting by
KCCI
“Iowa election results move through audits and certification process”, Thursday, November 5, 2026
Read the full story
What happened

County boards of supervisors must complete their canvass by November 16, 2026. The State Canvassing Board has until November 30 to certify results.1

99 counties
counties conducting hand-count audits1
What it means in Iowa

What happens next in Iowa

Counties canvass within 13 days of the election, by November 16.2 The state board of canvassers receives the results and approves the canvass within 27 days after the election, by November 30, 2026, if there is no recount or election contest.3 A recount must be completed by 18th day after initiated and shall be conducted as expeditiously as reasonably possible.

Key dates in Iowa

Election Day in -7 days
  1. Wed, Oct 14 · passed
    Early voting begins
  2. Mon, Oct 19 · passed
    Last day for mail ballot applications
  3. Mon, Nov 2 · passed
    Early voting ends
  4. Tue, Nov 3 · passed
    Election Day; Registration deadline; Mail ballots must arrive
  5. Mon, Nov 30 · 20 days
    State certification

Every date in Iowa, and who certifies the election

More on this story
Iowa · Nov 9
Page County, Iowa released unofficial results for November 3, 2026 election
Reporting by Page County Auditor
Iowa · Nov 9
Democrat Sarah Trone Garriott flipped Iowa's 3rd District
Reporting by Iowa Public Radio
The answers behind this
How votes are counted and made officialVoting in Iowa, 2026Who certifies the election in Iowa, and by when?What is the difference between counting the votes and certifying them?

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Sources

  1. KCCI, https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiqAFBVV95cUxQTmdCQU1NaThOSkg2alh5bGp2bGUxYkZLSW13aFRjdG1TaU9MTURneTJ6czAxMW9GVF8wT1dyRWdOM191WjA4NS1DcGJMN3p6dXNzZzN0X0N0Z1FSeG5zaGZnM1BSTEpQTUNjX2QwenZWRHpVajZWeXJ5OFlaVHlkbld5djVnWm9MaUYtVEtRZi1ZcjNCVmktR3NZSjFPSGtsQ1ljYlZkeWQ?oc=5 · Thursday, November 5, 2026
  2. NCSL, Canvass Deadlines, https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/canvass-deadlines
  3. NCSL, Election Certification Deadlines, https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/election-certification-deadlines

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