How to run in Iowa, 2028

What it takes to get on Iowa's 2028 ballot for the U.S. House, U.S. Senate or President, from the state's election office and laws.

U.S. House

Who can run

At least 25 years old
A U.S. citizen for at least 7 years
Living in the state when elected (the Constitution doesn't require living in the district)

Getting on the Iowa ballot

Where to file	Iowa Secretary of State (state commissioner of elections), Des Moines.
When	Not earlier than 99 days nor later than 5:00 p.m. on the 81st day before the primary: February 28 - 5:00 p.m. March 17, 2028, for the June 6, 2028 primary (first Tuesday after the first Monday in June) (Iowa Code 43.11, 43.7). (expected: follows state law; the 2028 calendar isn't published yet)
How	File nomination papers consisting of a nomination petition on the Secretary of State's prescribed form and a signed, notarized affidavit of candidacy (a separate federal-office affidavit form) stating the party with which the candidate is registered (Iowa Code 43.14, 43.18). A candidate may have papers on file for only one office at the primary.
Fee	None in statute; nomination is by petition.
Petition instead	At least 1,726 eligible electors who are residents of the congressional district, including at least 47 from each of at least one-half of the counties in the district (Iowa Code 45.1(3), applied to primary candidates by 43.20).

Who can run

Getting on the Iowa ballot

Where to file	Iowa Secretary of State (state commissioner of elections), Des Moines.
When	Not earlier than 99 days nor later than 5:00 p.m. on the 81st day before the primary: February 28 - 5:00 p.m. March 17, 2028, for the June 6, 2028 primary (Iowa Code 43.11, 43.7). (expected: follows state law; the 2028 calendar isn't published yet)
How	File nomination papers consisting of a nomination petition on the Secretary of State's prescribed form and a signed, notarized affidavit of candidacy (federal-office form) stating the party with which the candidate is registered (Iowa Code 43.14, 43.18).
Fee	None in statute; nomination is by petition.
Petition instead	At least 3,500 eligible electors, including at least 100 from each of at least 19 counties (Iowa Code 45.1(1), applied to primary candidates by 43.20).

Who can run: At least 35 years old; A natural-born U.S. citizen; A U.S. resident for at least 14 years (U.S. Constitution).

How	Iowa has no state-run presidential primary and no state candidate filing for presidential nominations. The presidential nominating process runs through political party precinct caucuses. State law requires the caucuses to be held not later than the fourth Monday in February of the even-numbered year and at least eight days before the first determining stage of the presidential nominating process in any other state; each party's state central committee sets its caucus date, county chairs issue the call, and results are reported under party rules. If a party selects delegates at caucuses on that date, the caucuses must be held in person (Iowa Code 43.4).
Where	Party-run: each political party's state central committee and county chairpersons. No state filing office.
When	Caucus date set by each party, no later than the fourth Monday in February 2028 (February 28, 2028) and at least eight days before any other state's first determining contest (Iowa Code 43.4). (expected: follows state law)
Fee	None (no state filing).
Petition	None (no state filing).

Sources: Iowa Code § 43.4

How	File nomination petitions with the state commissioner of elections (the Iowa Secretary of State). Each page of the petition must include the names of both the presidential and vice-presidential candidates. A certificate listing the candidates for presidential electors (one from each congressional district and two from the state at large) must be filed at the same time as the nomination papers (Iowa Code 45.1(8)). Filing time and place, objections and withdrawals follow the rules for nonparty political organizations (Iowa Code 45.4, 44.4); objections to state-filed petitions are due within seven days after the filing deadline.
Where	Office of the state commissioner of elections (Iowa Secretary of State), Des Moines.
When	Not more than 99 days before, and not later than 5:00 p.m. on, the first Tuesday after the first Monday in June: February 28 - 5:00 p.m. June 6, 2028 (Iowa Code 44.4(1), as amended by 2025 Acts, ch 123). (expected: follows state law)
Fee	None stated in the statutes.
Petition	Not less than 3,500 eligible electors, including at least 100 eligible electors each from at least 19 counties (Iowa Code 45.1(1)).
Also	Running mate named on every petition page; elector certificate (6 electors: one per congressional district plus two at large) filed with the petitions. The June deadline reflects the 2025 amendment to Iowa Code 44.4 (Iowa Code 2026 text); confirm against the Secretary of State's 2028 candidate materials.

Sources: Iowa Code § 45.1 · Iowa Code § 45.4 · Iowa Code § 44.4

Once you raise or spend more than $5,000, file a Statement of Candidacy (FEC Form 2) within 15 days.
Your campaign committee then files a Statement of Organization (FEC Form 1) within 10 days and reports to the FEC.

Checked November 4, 2026. Rules can change; confirm with Iowa's election office and the FEC before you file. ← All states

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