Iowa candidate filing & campaign-finance deadlines

Official 2026 report due dates for Iowa state candidates file with Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board.

Verified deadlines loaded

Last updated August 27, 2026

Next deadline in Iowa

IA October 19 Report

Oct 19, 2026

1 more deadline follows in this cycle.

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This page also covers Iowa candidate-filing (ballot access) deadlines for 2027–2028 — the process of becoming a qualified candidate, distinct from the campaign-finance reporting below. Here's how to run for office in Iowa: what to file, when, and with whom.

The 2026 cycle

5 report deadlines for the 2026 cycle.

These are the campaign-finance report due dates a Iowa state candidate files with Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board for the 2026 election cycle, stored verbatim from the official schedule. The 2026 primary is Jun 2, 2026.

Due	Type	Report	Covers
Jan 19, 2026	Annual/Year-end	IA January 2026 Report Year-end report covering calendar year 2025.	Jan 1, 2025 – Dec 31, 2025
May 19, 2026	Pre-election	IA May 19 Report Periodic report due May 19 (before the June 2 primary), covering January 1 – May 14, 2026.	Jan 1, 2026 – May 14, 2026
Jul 19, 2026	Periodic	IA July 19 Report Periodic report covering May 15 – July 14, 2026.	May 15, 2026 – Jul 14, 2026
Oct 19, 2026	Pre-election	IA October 19 Report Periodic report due October 19 (before the November 3 general), covering July 15 – October 14, 2026.	Jul 15, 2026 – Oct 14, 2026
Jan 19, 2027	Annual/Year-end	IA January 2027 Report Year-end report covering October 15 – December 31, 2026.	Oct 15, 2026 – Dec 31, 2026

Shaded rows are deadlines that have already passed.

Good to know

Iowa's fixed periodic calendar — the reports fall on set dates (January 19 / May 19 / July 19 / October 19), not relative to each election. All are due by 4:30 p.m. Central. Two CONDITIONAL supplementary reports (due 2026-05-29 and 2026-10-30) are required only if contributions in a set pre-election window reach $10,000 (governor) / $5,000 (other statewide) / $1,000 (General Assembly) — event-driven and not listed here; if triggered, they shift the following periodic report's start date.

Filing to run for office

Iowa candidate-filing deadlines — 2027–2028.

Deadlines to become a qualified candidate for office in Iowa — declarations of candidacy, nominating petitions, and related ballot-access filing requirements — compiled from Iowa Secretary of State. Distinct from the campaign-finance report deadlines above.

2027

Municipal

Calculated from statute — not an official calendar date

City/Town Offices (Mayor, Council Members)

All Iowa Municipalities · 2027 Iowa Municipal General Election · Nov 2, 2027

Filing window: Aug 23, 2027 – Sep 16, 2027 at 5:00 PM America/Chicago

Candidacy method: Nonpartisan · Deadline type: Nonpartisan filing

Petition deadline: Sep 16, 2027 · Withdrawal deadline: Sep 23, 2027

Files with: County Auditor or City Clerk

Signatures: Petition signatures required: at least 2% of voters from last regular city election, minimum 10 signatures

Statutory rule: City election filing period begins 71 days before the election and closes at 5 p.m. on the 47th day before the election. (works out to Sep 16, 2027)

Iowa Code Chapter 376 - City Elections · accessed Jul 13, 2026

Not yet independently verified

Filing for City/Town Offices (Mayor, Council Members) in All Iowa Municipalities for the 2027 Iowa Municipal General Election (Nov 2, 2027) closes Sep 16, 2027 at 5:00 PM America/Chicago. Opens Aug 23, 2027. This date is calculated from statute and is not an official calendar date. Source: Iowa Legislature.

School Board

Calculated from statute — not an official calendar date

School Board Members / Community College Board Members

All Iowa School Districts · 2027 Iowa School Board Election · Nov 2, 2027

Filing window: Closes Sep 21, 2027 at 5:00 PM America/Chicago

Candidacy method: Nonpartisan · Deadline type: Nonpartisan filing

Withdrawal deadline: Sep 28, 2027

Files with: School District Office / Community College Office

Statutory rule: School board election filing deadline is not less than 42 days before the election date. (works out to Sep 21, 2027)

Iowa Code Chapter 277 - School Elections · accessed Jul 13, 2026

Last verified Jul 13, 2026

Filing for School Board Members / Community College Board Members in All Iowa School Districts for the 2027 Iowa School Board Election (Nov 2, 2027) closes Sep 21, 2027 at 5:00 PM America/Chicago. This date is calculated from statute and is not an official calendar date. Source: Iowa Legislature.

2028

Federal

Calculated from statute — not an official calendar date

U.S. President

Statewide · 2028 Iowa Primary Election · Jun 6, 2028

Filing window: Apr 5, 2028 – Apr 5, 2028 at 5:00 PM America/Chicago

Candidacy method: Party Primary · Deadline type: Party primary filing

Withdrawal deadline: May 10, 2028

Files with: Iowa Secretary of State

Statutory rule: Filing deadline is not later than the 62nd calendar day before the primary election. (works out to Apr 5, 2028)

Iowa Code Chapter 43 - Partisan Nominations, Primary Election · accessed Jul 13, 2026

Not yet independently verified

Filing for U.S. President in Statewide for the 2028 Iowa Primary Election (Jun 6, 2028) closes Apr 5, 2028 at 5:00 PM America/Chicago. Opens Apr 5, 2028. This date is calculated from statute and is not an official calendar date. Source: Iowa Legislature.

Calculated from statute — not an official calendar date

U.S. Senate

Statewide · 2028 Iowa Primary Election · Jun 6, 2028

Filing window: Apr 5, 2028 – Apr 5, 2028 at 5:00 PM America/Chicago

Candidacy method: Party Primary · Deadline type: Party primary filing

Withdrawal deadline: May 10, 2028

Files with: Iowa Secretary of State

Statutory rule: Filing deadline is not later than the 62nd calendar day before the primary election. (works out to Apr 5, 2028)

Iowa Code Chapter 43 - Partisan Nominations, Primary Election · accessed Jul 13, 2026

Not yet independently verified

Filing for U.S. Senate in Statewide for the 2028 Iowa Primary Election (Jun 6, 2028) closes Apr 5, 2028 at 5:00 PM America/Chicago. Opens Apr 5, 2028. This date is calculated from statute and is not an official calendar date. Source: Iowa Legislature.

Calculated from statute — not an official calendar date

U.S. House of Representatives — Districts 1-4

Statewide · 2028 Iowa Primary Election · Jun 6, 2028

Filing window: Apr 5, 2028 – Apr 5, 2028 at 5:00 PM America/Chicago

Candidacy method: Party Primary · Deadline type: Party primary filing

Withdrawal deadline: May 10, 2028

Files with: Iowa Secretary of State

Statutory rule: Filing deadline is not later than the 62nd calendar day before the primary election. (works out to Apr 5, 2028)

Iowa Code Chapter 43 - Partisan Nominations, Primary Election · accessed Jul 13, 2026

Not yet independently verified

Filing for U.S. House of Representatives in Statewide for the 2028 Iowa Primary Election (Jun 6, 2028) closes Apr 5, 2028 at 5:00 PM America/Chicago. Opens Apr 5, 2028. This date is calculated from statute and is not an official calendar date. Source: Iowa Legislature.

Calculated from statute — not an official calendar date

U.S. Senate

Statewide · 2028 Iowa General Election · Nov 7, 2028

Filing window: Closes Aug 18, 2028 at 5:00 PM America/Chicago

Candidacy method: Independent · Deadline type: Independent candidate filing

Petition deadline: Aug 18, 2028 · Withdrawal deadline: Oct 10, 2028

Files with: Iowa Secretary of State

Signatures: Petition required with valid signatures of registered voters

Statutory rule: Filing deadline is 81 days before the general election (for state and federal candidates, including independent filers). (works out to Aug 18, 2028)

Iowa Code Chapter 43 - Partisan Nominations, Primary Election; Chapter 45 - Nominations by Petition · accessed Jul 13, 2026

Not yet independently verified

Filing for U.S. Senate in Statewide for the 2028 Iowa General Election (Nov 7, 2028) closes Aug 18, 2028 at 5:00 PM America/Chicago. This date is calculated from statute and is not an official calendar date. Source: Iowa Legislature.

Statewide

Calculated from statute — not an official calendar date

Governor

Statewide · 2028 Iowa Primary Election · Jun 6, 2028

Filing window: Apr 5, 2028 – Apr 5, 2028 at 5:00 PM America/Chicago

Candidacy method: Party Primary · Deadline type: Party primary filing

Withdrawal deadline: May 10, 2028

Files with: Iowa Secretary of State

Statutory rule: Filing deadline is not later than the 62nd calendar day before the primary election. (works out to Apr 5, 2028)

Iowa Code Chapter 43 - Partisan Nominations, Primary Election · accessed Jul 13, 2026

Not yet independently verified

Filing for Governor in Statewide for the 2028 Iowa Primary Election (Jun 6, 2028) closes Apr 5, 2028 at 5:00 PM America/Chicago. Opens Apr 5, 2028. This date is calculated from statute and is not an official calendar date. Source: Iowa Legislature.

Calculated from statute — not an official calendar date

Secretary of State

Statewide · 2028 Iowa Primary Election · Jun 6, 2028

Filing window: Apr 5, 2028 – Apr 5, 2028 at 5:00 PM America/Chicago

Candidacy method: Party Primary · Deadline type: Party primary filing

Withdrawal deadline: May 10, 2028

Files with: Iowa Secretary of State

Statutory rule: Filing deadline is not later than the 62nd calendar day before the primary election. (works out to Apr 5, 2028)

Iowa Code Chapter 43 - Partisan Nominations, Primary Election · accessed Jul 13, 2026

Not yet independently verified

Filing for Secretary of State in Statewide for the 2028 Iowa Primary Election (Jun 6, 2028) closes Apr 5, 2028 at 5:00 PM America/Chicago. Opens Apr 5, 2028. This date is calculated from statute and is not an official calendar date. Source: Iowa Legislature.

Calculated from statute — not an official calendar date

State Treasurer

Statewide · 2028 Iowa Primary Election · Jun 6, 2028

Filing window: Apr 5, 2028 – Apr 5, 2028 at 5:00 PM America/Chicago

Candidacy method: Party Primary · Deadline type: Party primary filing

Withdrawal deadline: May 10, 2028

Files with: Iowa Secretary of State

Statutory rule: Filing deadline is not later than the 62nd calendar day before the primary election. (works out to Apr 5, 2028)

Iowa Code Chapter 43 - Partisan Nominations, Primary Election · accessed Jul 13, 2026

Not yet independently verified

Filing for State Treasurer in Statewide for the 2028 Iowa Primary Election (Jun 6, 2028) closes Apr 5, 2028 at 5:00 PM America/Chicago. Opens Apr 5, 2028. This date is calculated from statute and is not an official calendar date. Source: Iowa Legislature.

Calculated from statute — not an official calendar date

State Auditor

Statewide · 2028 Iowa Primary Election · Jun 6, 2028

Filing window: Apr 5, 2028 – Apr 5, 2028 at 5:00 PM America/Chicago

Candidacy method: Party Primary · Deadline type: Party primary filing

Withdrawal deadline: May 10, 2028

Files with: Iowa Secretary of State

Statutory rule: Filing deadline is not later than the 62nd calendar day before the primary election. (works out to Apr 5, 2028)

Iowa Code Chapter 43 - Partisan Nominations, Primary Election · accessed Jul 13, 2026

Not yet independently verified

Filing for State Auditor in Statewide for the 2028 Iowa Primary Election (Jun 6, 2028) closes Apr 5, 2028 at 5:00 PM America/Chicago. Opens Apr 5, 2028. This date is calculated from statute and is not an official calendar date. Source: Iowa Legislature.

State Legislative

Calculated from statute — not an official calendar date

State Senate — Districts 1-50

Statewide · 2028 Iowa Primary Election · Jun 6, 2028

Filing window: Apr 5, 2028 – Apr 5, 2028 at 5:00 PM America/Chicago

Candidacy method: Party Primary · Deadline type: Party primary filing

Withdrawal deadline: May 10, 2028

Files with: Iowa Secretary of State

Statutory rule: Filing deadline is not later than the 62nd calendar day before the primary election. (works out to Apr 5, 2028)

Iowa Code Chapter 43 - Partisan Nominations, Primary Election · accessed Jul 13, 2026

Not yet independently verified

Filing for State Senate in Statewide for the 2028 Iowa Primary Election (Jun 6, 2028) closes Apr 5, 2028 at 5:00 PM America/Chicago. Opens Apr 5, 2028. This date is calculated from statute and is not an official calendar date. Source: Iowa Legislature.

Calculated from statute — not an official calendar date

State House of Representatives — Districts 1-100

Statewide · 2028 Iowa Primary Election · Jun 6, 2028

Filing window: Apr 5, 2028 – Apr 5, 2028 at 5:00 PM America/Chicago

Candidacy method: Party Primary · Deadline type: Party primary filing

Withdrawal deadline: May 10, 2028

Files with: Iowa Secretary of State

Statutory rule: Filing deadline is not later than the 62nd calendar day before the primary election. (works out to Apr 5, 2028)

Iowa Code Chapter 43 - Partisan Nominations, Primary Election · accessed Jul 13, 2026

Not yet independently verified

Filing for State House of Representatives in Statewide for the 2028 Iowa Primary Election (Jun 6, 2028) closes Apr 5, 2028 at 5:00 PM America/Chicago. Opens Apr 5, 2028. This date is calculated from statute and is not an official calendar date. Source: Iowa Legislature.

County

Calculated from statute — not an official calendar date

County Offices (Supervisor, Sheriff, Auditor, Treasurer, Recorder, Attorney)

All Iowa Counties · 2028 Iowa General Election · Nov 7, 2028

Filing window: Closes Aug 26, 2028 at 5:00 PM America/Chicago

Candidacy method: Party Primary · Deadline type: Party primary filing

Withdrawal deadline: Oct 10, 2028

Files with: County Auditor

Statutory rule: County candidate filing deadline is 73 days before the general election. (works out to Aug 26, 2028)

Iowa Code Chapter 43 - Partisan Nominations · accessed Jul 13, 2026

Not yet independently verified

Filing for County Offices (Supervisor, Sheriff, Auditor, Treasurer, Recorder, Attorney) in All Iowa Counties for the 2028 Iowa General Election (Nov 7, 2028) closes Aug 26, 2028 at 5:00 PM America/Chicago. This date is calculated from statute and is not an official calendar date. Source: Iowa Legislature.

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Electbase compiles these dates from official state sources as a workflow aid. It is not legal advice. Confirm every deadline with your filing authority before you rely on it.

Last updated August 27, 2026

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