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Iowa's Primaries

Partisan Primary Types​

Democratic PartyRepublican Party
Presidential PrimariesState PrimariesPresidential PrimariesState Primaries
partially-open partially-open partially-open partially-open

Presidential and State Primaries Scheduling​

Consolidated Primaries: No

Iowa is one of the states that have not merged their presidential and state primaries. On a Presidential Election year, presidential caucuses and State primaries are scheduled to run on different dates.

Iowa has a closed primary election, which means voters must be registered with the Democratic or Republican Party to participate. Voters can change their party affiliation anytime before election day or at the polling place on election day.

Voting In Primaries​

  • A voter can request any party’s ballot after changing party affiliation at the polls. I.C.A. § 43.42. The presidential caucuses are also partially open because voters have the option to register with a party on caucus day in order to participate in a party caucus.

Delegates and Presidential Primaries​

The presidential primary process involves selecting delegates who will represent the state at the party's national convention. Delegates selected from the primary elections attend the party's national convention, where they officially nominate the presidential candidate. The candidate with the majority of delegates becomes the party's nominee for the presidential election.

Democratic PartyRepublican Party
Total Del. VotesPled.Unpled.Altern.Total Del. VotesPled.Unpled.Altern.
47 40 7 3 40 40 37

Democratic Party Primary Delegates Process​

Democratic Party Delegates Allocation​

In 2024, the Democratic party will send a total of 47 Delegate Votes and 3 Alternate Delegates to the DNC national convention. Of the 47 delegate votes, 40 Pledged Delegate Votes (26 District-level delegates, 9 At-Large, and 5 PLEOs) and 7 Automatic Delegate Votes.

40 of 47 delegates to the Democratic National Convention are pledged to presidential contenders based on the results of the voting in Iowa President Preference Poll. A mandatory 15 percent threshold is required in order for a presidential contender to be pledged National Convention delegates at either the congressional district or statewide level.

Presidential Candidates Ballot Access​

  • A presidential candidate gains access to the State presidential preference primary ballot if:
  • The candidate has filed the appropriate registration information with the federal election commission (FEC) to become a candidate for president of the United States; and
  • Please check with the State Democratic party for further requirements.

Delegates Breakdown​

  • District-level Delegates: 26
  • At-large Delegates: 9
  • Pledged PLEOs Delegates: 5
  • Automatic Delegates - Unpledged PLEOs: 7
  • Alternate Delegates: 3

Automatic Delegates (Unpledged PLEOs - Super Delegates) Breakdown​

  • DNC Members: 6
  • Dem. Members of Congress: 1
  • Dem. Gorvernors: 0
  • Distinguished Party Leaders: 0

Republican Party Primary Delegates Process​

Republican Party Delegates Allocation​

Delegates are proportionally allocated to Presidential contenders based on the statewide vote. Each candidate receives (candidate's statewide vote) × 40 ÷ (total statewide vote) delegates. The Republican party will send a total of 40 Delegate Votes and 37 Alternate Delegates to the 2024 RNC national convention. 40 Delegate Votes (12 District-level delegates, 25 At-Large, and 3 RNC delegates).

Presidential Candidates Ballot Access​

  • A presidential candidate gains access to the State presidential preference primary ballot if:
  • The candidate has filed the appropriate registration information with the federal election commission (FEC) to become a candidate for president of the United States; and
  • Please check with the State Republican party for additional requirements.

Delegates Breakdown​

  • District-level Delegates: 12
  • At-large Delegates: 25
  • RNC Delegates: 3
  • Alternate Delegates: 37

NOTES​

This page contains primary election rules and Presidential Primary delegates allocation information on elections occurring across the country

Primary voting rules and delegate allocation apply to statewide partisan primary elections in most cases. However, check with your Town Clerk for primary voting guide as they may vary by town and political party.Please be advised that the information provided on this site is updated regularly but is subject to scheduling changes at the local level.

The information provided on the page was validated using the following resourses: