It's Election Day in Iowa, days after shocking last-minute poll shows Harris lead
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Election Day is finally upon us.
The big picture: Days before the election, the final Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll of the cycle showed Vice President Harris unexpectedly beating former President Trump by three percentage points.
- Pollster J. Ann Selzer has historically had an accurate pulse of Iowa, thanks to her thorough methodology, according to RealClear Polling.
Case in point: In 2020, her poll showed Trump with a large lead in Iowa while others expected a narrow race or even a Biden win.
- She was also the pollster who projected a large Trump win in 2016 and U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst pulling ahead in 2014 against Bruce Braley.
Yes, but: Harris' narrow lead still falls within the poll's margin of error, plus or minus 3.5 percentage points.
Flashback: In 2018, the gubernatorial Iowa Poll between Democrat Fred Hubbell and then-Lieutenant Gov. Kim Reynolds showed Hubbell leading by two points.
- But the margin of error was similarly 3.5 plus or minus points and Reynolds ended up winning.
💭 Our thought bubble: Your vote matters!
- Get the ins and outs with our guide below.
🗳️ Where to vote: Look up your polling place on the Secretary of State's website.
- ✉️ If you requested a mail-in ballot that you haven't yet returned, it's too late to send it by mail. Either drop it off at your county's Election Office before polls close or surrender it at your polling place and vote in person.
🆔 What to bring: You will need to show a government-issued ID, like a driver's license or passport. Find an approved list here.
⏰ When to vote: Polling places are open 7am-8pm. Use the polling place finder to check when your site will be open.
❓ What you'll vote on: President, U.S. House, county supervisors and local legislators are all races you can expect to find on your ballot.
- You'll also decide whether to make two amendments to the state's constitution.
🗣 Where do the candidates stand? Republicans and Democrats have their own favorites for each race.
- Find Polk County Democrats' preferred picks here.
- And here are Polk County GOP-backed candidates.
📋 Are you not registered? Or have you recently moved? You can complete the paperwork on Election Day. Be sure to bring the required proof of residence with you to the polls.
✅ How to track: Follow Axios for live updates tonight on all of the local and national races!
- Make sure to bookmark our page for live results Tuesday covering Iowa's presidential, legislative and congressional results.