Iowans turned out in force for the 2026 midterm elections, with nearly half a million ballots already cast before polling places even opened their doors on Election Day. The sheer volume of early voting — and the range of concerns driving voters to the polls — offers a window into what’s motivating citizens across the state to participate in this election cycle.
By 8 a.m. on Election Day, the Iowa Secretary of State’s office had recorded 498,951 early ballots received — a figure that narrowly surpasses the 497,085 early ballots reported during the 2018 midterms. That milestone signals strong voter engagement heading into an election shaped heavily by national politics, economic pressures, and local policy debates.
Iowa Capital Dispatch staff spoke with voters at precincts around the state to hear directly what’s on their minds. Voters are encouraged to review what to know before heading to the polls and consult the Iowa Capital Dispatch 2026 voter guide for race-by-race information.
In Ogden, Democratic Voters Want a Check on Federal Power
At the Leonard A. Good Community Library in Ogden, voters trickled in during their lunch breaks to cast ballots in state and federal races. For many, the motivation was less about any single candidate and more about the broader direction of the country.
John Perry, a 63-year-old construction worker who lives between Boone and Ogden, said he voted Democratic across the board. His reasoning was straightforward: he believes the political climate has grown dangerously unstable.
“It seems as if everything’s gotten pretty extreme here lately, and Trump is not helping the Republican cause at all. It’s not like I’m against Republicans, I’m more against Trump. So I think the chaos is out of control, and somebody needs to be a voice of reason.”
— John Perry, voter from between Boone and Ogden
Perry pointed to the ongoing conflict with Iran as an example of what he sees as poor national decision-making, and said Iowa’s water quality is his top local issue. He acknowledged that farmers need to do their work but believes cleaner farming practices are achievable without damaging Iowa’s waterways.
Steve Lingren, a farmer from outside Ogden who also identified as a Democrat, echoed concerns about federal leadership. He said President Trump does not follow the U.S. Constitution or its laws, and that Republican lawmakers haven’t moved to hold him accountable. Lingren said the rising cost of living, immigration policy, and what he described as corruption within the Trump family were his central concerns at the ballot box.
Lingren cast his votes primarily for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Rob Sand and Democratic Senate candidate Josh Turek, dismissing their opponents — Zach Lahn and Rep. Ashley Hinson — as unfit.
“The one guy doesn’t live in Iowa, and the gal that’s running for Senate is so corrupt. It’s unbelievable,”
Lingren said.
In Perry, Immigration and School Vouchers Drive Voters to the Booth
Despite rainy conditions Tuesday morning, voters in Perry showed up early at First Christian Church and the McCreary Center to make their voices heard. Their concerns ranged from immigration enforcement to education funding — a reflection of how state and national policy questions are converging in this midterm cycle.
Paula Davidson, a 62-year-old Republican, was among the first through the door when polls opened. She said she voted straight Republican and expressed confidence that Election Day results would reflect her party’s quiet but consistent support.
“We need to get the Republicans voted in here. The Republicans are quieter than the Democrats, so you don’t hear a lot of noise from the Republicans throughout the campaigns, but election day, the end of election day, it always proves it. So I’m hoping this is the same thing,”
Davidson said.
Davidson’s top concern was immigration. She argued that American citizens who break the law face accountability through systems like parole, but said undocumented immigrants operate without the same oversight.
“They could be doing anything, nobody knows who they are. It’s scary,”
she said.
Teresa and Rodney Dowd, longtime Perry residents of nearly 50 years, described themselves as independent voters who evaluate candidates on their merits rather than party affiliation. Teresa said their selections were
“a mix”
across party lines. Rodney voted for Democrat Rob Sand in the governor’s race, citing Sand’s position on school voucher programs as the deciding factor.
The Dowds said they trust the integrity of the election process. Teresa noted that election agencies have
“done their due diligence”
in ensuring accurate vote counts. Rodney put it more broadly, describing voting as the foundation of a country he called
“the greatest country in the world”
— one where elections remain free.
“If you don’t vote, you can’t complain. Maybe we like to complain,”
Teresa Dowd said.
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