Note From the Chair

Friend,

After losing my 2020 Congressional race by just six votes, I know firsthand how close elections can be and how important it is that every Iowan votes in 2024. 

Iowans have a chance to vote in four Congressional races that could determine who gets the majority party of the U.S. House of Representatives and how much our next President can accomplish during his or her first two years.

There’s so much on the line, from securing reproductive freedom nationwide to the survival of the Department of Education, the future of Medicare and Social Security, and even the ability to negotiate for prescription drugs and to keep the price of insulin under $35 a month. That doesn’t even scratch the surface of what we can get done at the local level.

That’s why I wanted to let you know you can request your absentee ballot now. Voting from home is safe, convenient, and secure. 

To request your absentee ballot, print an absentee ballot request form from the Iowa Secretary of State’s website by clicking here and mail it to your local county auditor. You can find the address of your local county auditor’s office by clicking here. 

You can also go to your local county auditor’s office and request an absentee ballot. Remember to bring a valid form of identification. If you’re a new voter or need to register to vote, you will need to bring a document like your utility bill so you can prove your place of residence.

If you plan to vote on Election Day, please let us know at iowademocrats.org/planyourvote and then get three of our friends to sign up as well!

Sincerely, 

Rita Hart

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Take Action

Join the IDP at one of the many events being hosted in every corner of the state. See the full list of events by visiting iowademocrats.org and clicking the “Calendar” button in the top right corner.

NW Iowa Dinner with Democrats

When: Thursday, September 12 at 5:30 p.m.

Where: Willow Creek Banquet Hall in Le Mars (935 Park Lane)

Description: Area Democrats and independent voters are invited to the 2024 NW Iowa Dinner with Democrats on Thursday, Sept. 12 at the Willow Creek Banquet Hall in Lemarks (935 Park Lane). Jess Piper, executive director of Blue Missouri and author of the Substack newsletter “The View from Rural Missouri,” will serve as the event’s keynote speaker. 

RSVP/Advance Signup Required: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/2024dinnerwithdems

Polk County Steak Fry

When: Saturday, Sept. 14 at 12:00 p.m.

Where: Biergarten, Water Works Parks, Des Moines

Description: Join us in Water Works Park for the Polk County Democrats’ largest gathering of the year. 

Do you have an event that should be listed here or on the IDP Events Online Calendar? Submit an event to be added to IDP’s public event calendar by filling out our quick event submission form.

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Plan Your Vote

In 2022, over 90,000 Democrats that voted in 2018 stayed home. This year, we have to do better. That’s why we’ve been laying the groundwork for the last sixteen months and now we are rolling out our program, iowademocrats.org/planyourvote. 

Research has shown the best way to increase turnout is by helping voters make a plan to vote - asking questions about whether they will vote by mail, early in-person, or on Election Day, what time they’ll go vote, how they will get to their polling place, and making it clear we appreciate that they are a reliable voter. 

The Iowa Democratic Party is asking you to do your part by planning your vote at iowademocrats.org/planyourvote. 

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In the News

Ottumwa Courier: Iowa Democratic chair says DNC has motivated Iowans ahead of 2024 election

Telegraph Herald State Democratic leader says voters will show Iowa not all Republican red in November

USA TODAY 'Don't give up': Iowa Democrats host Whitmer, Booker, Klobuchar at DNC to motivate base

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On the Internet

Iowa Democrats: Today, we celebrate #WomensEqualityDay and the anniversary of the 19th Amendment becoming law, a milestone in the fight for women's rights. We honor the trailblazing women who paved the way and reaffirm our commitment to achieving full equality for all.

Iowa House Democrats: Reproductive freedom is on the ballot! Take action by: talking to your friends, family, and neighbors, volunteering for a campaign: https://tinyurl.com/5cafw3fd, and committing to vote: https://tinyurl.com/4w9md8ch.

Iowa Senate Democrats: To each and every Iowa paraeducator, teacher, bus driver, school nurse, aide, nutrition worker, associate, librarian, custodian, and secretary: We couldn't do it without you! Thank you for all you do to ensure the wellness, safety, and bright futures of our youngest Iowans.