KNOW YOUR BALLOT.
FIND THE FACTS.
Your nonpartisan guide to the Tuesday, November 3, 2026 election in Des Moines.
LIVE. WORK. THRIVE.
The decisions made by elected officials shape our schools, neighborhoods, healthcare, public safety, economic opportunities, and access to essential services.
The NAACP Des Moines Branch believes informed civic participation is essential to a community where everyone can live, work, and thrive.
We've brought together official election resources and publicly available information to help you understand what's on your ballot, learn about the offices and issues, and explore candidates' documented positions.
We provide the information. You make your own decisions.
WHAT'S ON THE NOVEMBER 3 BALLOT?
Des Moines voters will see a combination of federal, state, county, nonpartisan, and judicial questions.
Federal Offices
Polk County Government
- County Attorney
- County Treasurer
- County Recorder
- County Supervisor, according to district
- County Supervisor, District 4
Additional Ballot Questions
- Judicial retention elections
- Iowa Constitutional Amendment 1
Iowa State Government
- Governor and Lieutenant Governor
- Secretary of State
- Auditor of State
- Treasurer of State
- Secretary of Agriculture
- Attorney General
- State Senator, District 15
- State Senator, District 17
- State Representative
- State Representative, District 33
- State Representative, District 36
- State Representative, District 39
- State Representative, District 40
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Nonpartisan County Offices
- County Hospital Trustees
- Soil and Water Conservation Commissioners
- County Agricultural Extension Council
- Agricultural Extension Council vacancy election
Important: Not every Des Moines precinct has the same legislative or county supervisor contests. Always consult your official sample ballot for the races applicable to your address.
IMPORTANT: SOME PRECINCTS HAVE ADDITIONAL BALLOT QUESTIONS
Most Des Moines precincts share a common set of countywide and statewide contests, but certain voters have additional questions or offices on their ballots.
Des Moines Precincts 1, 3 and 5: Voters residing in the applicable portion of the Saydel Community School District also have Public Measure S, a question about authorizing up to $26.9 million in general obligation bonds for school facilities and improvements.
Des Moines Precinct 24: Voters residing in the applicable Delaware Township portion also have elections for Delaware Township Trustee and Delaware Township Clerk.
These additions do not necessarily apply to every voter in those numbered precincts.
Check your official sample ballot through the Polk County Auditor to determine which version applies to your address.
UNDERSTANDING JUDICIAL RETENTION
In Iowa, voters are asked whether individual judges should remain in office.
These are not elections between opposing candidates. Each judicial retention question provides a Yes or No choice.
The Iowa Judicial Branch publishes information about the judicial selection and retention process, including access to professional evaluations of judges standing for retention.
UNDERSTANDING CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT 1
Iowa voters will also consider a proposed amendment to the Iowa Constitution concerning legislative voting requirements for certain state tax changes.
The proposal would require approval by at least two-thirds of the elected members of each legislative chamber for bills increasing specified state income-tax rates or establishing certain new state taxes.
The amendment includes exceptions and additional procedural provisions. It does not itself establish a new tax or set a new tax rate.
You can review the proposed legal language directly through the Iowa Legislature.
LIVE. WORK. THRIVE.
The Community Priorities Behind Our Research
Our voter education work is informed by the NAACP Des Moines Branch's five community priorities:
How We Research Candidates
Our research examines publicly available statements, policy proposals, official voting records, government actions, and credible reporting.
We distinguish between what candidates propose, what officeholders have actually done, and what available evidence does or does not establish.
We do not contact candidates for questionnaires, assign candidate grades or rankings, or make voting recommendations.
Our goal is to make the public record easier to understand while allowing every voter to make their own informed decisions.
EXPLORE THE OFFICES. COMPARE THE PUBLIC RECORD.
2026 Des Moines Office-by-Office Voter Guides
What does a county attorney actually control? How do state legislators influence school funding, taxes and healthcare? What responsibilities do county supervisors and other local officials have?
Our office-by-office guides help answer those questions.
Each guide explains the office's responsibilities, identifies the candidates on the November 3 ballot, and compares specific documented proposals, public statements, official actions and legislative records where available.
The research is organized around issues connected to our Live. Work. Thrive. vision: justice, essential needs, economic opportunity, educational excellence and voting rights.
Explore the guides by office:
Federal and Statewide Offices
U.S. Senate · U.S. House District 3 · Governor · State Executive Offices
Iowa Legislature
State Senate Districts 15 and 17 · State House Districts 29, 30, 33, 34, 35, 36, 39 and 40
Polk County Offices
County Attorney · County Treasurer · County Recorder · County Supervisor Districts 1, 4 and 5
County Nonpartisan Offices
Broadlawns Hospital Trustees · Soil and Water Conservation Commissioners · Agricultural Extension Council
Our guides distinguish campaign promises from completed official actions and independently verified outcomes. When a specific public position could not be established, we say so rather than assume one.
Find the office on your ballot, explore the evidence, and make your own decision.
The NAACP Des Moines Branch does not endorse or oppose candidates. These guides are provided for nonpartisan voter education. Content is based on publicly available information and dated sources, and is subject to editorial review.
JUSTICE PREVAILS
Public safety and justice systems should protect and serve people fairly, without bias or unnecessary barriers.
ESSENTIAL NEEDS ARE MET
People should have access to the housing, healthcare, transportation, and resources necessary for stable, healthy lives.
ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY ABOUNDS
People should be able to earn a living wage, advance in their careers, develop businesses, and pursue economic security.
EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE IS STANDARD
Young people deserve culturally inclusive, high-quality education that prepares them to learn, lead, and succeed.
VOTING RIGHTS ARE SECURED
People should be able to exercise their right to vote and participate in the decisions and institutions that shape their lives.
ELECTION INFORMATION
Election Day: Tuesday, November 3, 2026
Election Day polling hours: 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM
For official information about early voting, registration, voter identification, polling locations, and absentee ballots, consult the Polk County Auditor and Iowa Secretary of State.
Polk County Election Office
2309 Euclid Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50310
Phone: (515) 286-3247
YOUR VOICE. YOUR COMMUNITY. YOUR DECISION.
The NAACP Des Moines Branch is committed to strengthening civic knowledge, protecting voting rights, and encouraging informed participation in public life.
Every voter deserves access to accurate information about the decisions that shape our community.
Know your ballot. Find the facts. Make your own decision.
Nonpartisan Disclosure
The NAACP Des Moines Branch is nonpartisan and does not endorse or oppose candidates for public office. This page is provided for public education and does not constitute a voting recommendation.
Candidate information is drawn from publicly available sources and reflects the information available at the time of research. Official election authorities remain the source of record for ballot contents, polling locations, and voting procedures.
Last updated: October 31, 2026.