What Is the Primary, and Why Is It Important?

There is a very important election coming up on June 2, 2026: the Primary election.  

Voting in the Primary is crucial for the future of our democracy. Although no one is getting elected at the Primary, it’s your chance to vote for who will become the Democratic and Republican candidates for the general election in November. 

Where Can You Vote? 

There are several ways to vote in the Primary election in Linn County: 

• Cast your vote at your local polling place. Find your polling place. 

• Vote early at County Auditor’s Office. In Linn County, it’s at 935 2nd St. SW Cedar Rapids IA  52404. 

• Make sure you are registered to vote. It's easy to check your voter registration status: Visit the Secretary of State's website.  

Note: You may bring an absentee ballot to your local polling place to vote, but it will be voided and you will need to vote again on site. You can, however, cast a completed absentee ballot on election day at the County Auditor’s Office. 

Who Will You Vote For? 

Candidates for several positions will be listed on the ballot, including: 

• Governor  

• State Auditor 

• State Treasurer 

• Secretary of Agriculture 

• Secretary of State 

• US Representatives 

• US Senators  

You can vote for individuals or by party. The choice is yours—make an informed decision by learning about the candidates for the State of Iowa and your district in advance. See a list of all the candidates relevant to Linn County [PDF]. 

Where Can You Find More Information? 

Questions? Concerns? Visit the Secretary of State’s website for information about the Primary. Visit our Voting 101 article to learn about who is eligible to vote in Iowa and how to check your voter registration status.