Iowans rush to the polls on the first day of early voting

The legislation also introduced new rules for the creation of satellite sites for on-site early voting, which are now only possible at the request of residents. An Iowa voter must also now request absentee ballot request forms from their county auditor.

Fitzgerald said there have been no major issues in Polk County so far because of the new laws for this election. He said his staff had to speak to about 500 Polk County voters who requested an absentee ballot too early.

Candidates promote early voting across Iowa

Iowans weren't the only ones who cast early votes Wednesday. Republicans and Democrats, some of whom are on the ballot, went to the polls to encourage early in-person voting.

U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn of Iowa is pushing for early voting in the 2024 election

After casting his vote, U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn, a Republican representing Iowa's 3rd District, called for early voting in the 2024 election.

Republican U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn, an incumbent candidate for Iowa's 3rd Congressional District, said at the Polk County election office after casting his early vote that it was important to show confidence in Iowa's election system. He said voters never know what will happen on Election Day.

“I think when it comes down to it, everyone wants to make sure their voice is heard, but sometimes life gets the best of you,” he said. “My wife is the opposite. She makes the plan every year to vote on Election Day, and even though that means putting all the kids in the minivan and doing it, she makes it happen.”

Republican Senators Chuck Grassley, Gov. Kim Reynolds and U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, who is running for re-election in Iowa's 1st Congressional District, also cast early votes Wednesday.

Reynolds said in a news release that early voting is the easiest way for Iowans to ensure their votes are counted and “banked” for Trump and Republican candidates.

Democratic candidates marched together to vote in Des Moines, Davenport, Cedar Rapids and Iowa City.

Watch: 3rd District Democratic candidate Lanon Baccam encourages voting

Democratic candidate for Iowa's 3rd Congressional District, Lanon Baccam, encourages Iowans to get out and vote on the first day of early voting in the Hawkeye State.

Nunn's challenger in the 3rd Congressional District, Lanon Baccam, incumbent Iowa Senators Nate Boulton and state Rep. Mary Madison, Senate District 22 candidate Matt Blake and Polk County Supervisor candidate John Forbes passed the Des Moines elections.

Baccam said it is important to vote early and select Democratic candidates who he believes will fight for greater access to health care and education in the state.

“There is no doubt that we can clearly see what is at stake in this election campaign and this race for the direction of our state,” Baccam said. “The fact that we see a near-total abortion ban here in Iowa that extreme politicians here continue to push. We have the chance to make a change.”

More: Early voting is now available in Iowa. Here are the locations in Dallas, Polk County.

Baccam, who did not vote early Wednesday, said he was saving it for Election Day.

In Davenport, Christina Bohannan, who is challenging Miller-Meeks in Iowa's 1st Congressional District, gathered with a group of about 20 supporters and local officials from the area outside the Scott County Auditor's Office. Some members of the group headed to the office to be among the first to vote early in this year's election.

Early voters are enthusiastic about the selected candidates

While some voters in Iowa got up early Wednesday to cast their ballot before going to work, others chose to cast their ballot before Nov. 5 because they couldn't wait any longer.

Wearing her “I Voted” sticker, Stacy Nichols, 59, of Des Moines said Wednesday was her first early vote. She was the ninth voter in line.

“This is a very important election,” she said. “There are too many problems to list. For me, equality is the most important thing.”

The September Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll found that 80% of Iowa Democrats said they were optimistic about the election, an increase of 45 percentage points from June.

Kinney, who voted for Trump in 2016 and 2020, said the economy is the most important issue he cares about as an Iowan.

“I’m hoping for a Trump victory,” Kinney said. “The Justice Department has already said there will be riots on November 5th, so I had to vote early.”

The September Iowa poll also found that Iowa voters would most likely favor Trump in tackling inflation if he were elected.

Des Moines Republican Jan Conrad, 69, said he was a Democrat until he voted for former Republican presidential candidate John McCain in 2008. The economy and immigration are the top issues Conrad is voting for, he said.

“I used to be a Democrat, but they abandoned me,” he said.

When asked about Republicans' general concerns about election operations, Conrad said he was skeptical about the way elections are run in other states.

“I have always believed that the system here in Iowa is legitimate and works well,” he said.

Sabine Martin reports on politics for the Register. She can be reached by email at [email protected] or by phone at (515) 284-8132. Follow her on X at @sabinefmartin.

Register chief political reporter Brianne Pfannenstiel and Iowa City Press Citizen reporter Ryan Hansen contributed to this report.