Iowa Voters Head to Polls for 2026 Election

Webster County opens early voting today as statewide polls open Tuesday for races including U.S. Senate and governor.

Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Elections

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a single deep red ballot-box silhouette on a cream field above a thin band of green farmland. — Iowa voters can cast early ballots today at the Webster County Courthouse, with statewide polls opening Tuesday for U.S. Senate and governor races. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Should lawmakers need a two-thirds majority to pass any state income tax increase?

Early voting for the 2026 general election is available today from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Webster County Courthouse, and all polls open Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Voters are choosing a U.S. senator, a U.S. House member, a governor, state House members, and other state and county officials.

Why it matters

The statewide ballot includes a referendum asking whether a two-thirds majority of lawmakers should be required to pass any increase in the state income tax. Iowa's races for U.S. Senate, governor, and other offices will shape state and federal policy in the coming years.

The ballot includes a referendum requiring a two-thirds legislative majority for any state income tax increase, and U.S. Senate candidates are Josh Turek (Democrat), Ashley Hinson (Republican), and Thomas Laehn (Libertarian). Turnout and the referendum's outcome have not yet been reported.

The players

Josh Turek

Turek is the Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate from Iowa in the 2026 general election.

Ashley Hinson

Hinson is the Republican candidate for U.S. Senate from Iowa in the 2026 general election.

Rob Sand

Sand is the Democratic candidate for Iowa governor, running alongside Dave Muhlbauer.

Brenna Bird

Bird is Iowa's Republican attorney general and is seeking reelection in 2026.

Paul Pate

Pate is Iowa's Republican secretary of state and is seeking reelection in 2026.

The details

Voters can cast early ballots at the Webster County Courthouse during today's hours, and a list of polling places with a locator map appears on page AX of The Messenger. Governor candidates are Rob Sand/Dave Muhlbauer (Democrat) and Zach Lahn/Derek Wulf (Republican), while Secretary of State and Attorney General races pit incumbents Paul Pate and Brenna Bird against Democrats Ryan Peterman and Nate Willems.

Today: early voting available at the Webster County Courthouse from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tuesday: all polls open statewide from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Political Context

The two-thirds supermajority referendum would require a legislative threshold higher than the simple majority now used to set state income tax rates in Iowa. Opponents and supporters of such supermajority rules often debate whether they constrain tax increases or limit majority rule.

Iowa residents who want to vote early can do so at the Webster County Courthouse today until 4 p.m., while Tuesday polling runs until 8 p.m. The referendum outcome could affect how state income tax changes are approved by the Legislature.

The takeaway

Check your polling place location before Tuesday, since the Messenger's locator map on page AX lists sites county by county, and voters can still cast early ballots at the courthouse today.