City Clerk's Office

Who is eligible to register?

To register to vote in Story County, you must:

• Be a citizen of the United States;
• Be a resident of Story County;
• Be at least 17 1/2 years old (18 years old to vote);
• Not have been convicted of a felony (or have had your rights restored);
• Not currently be judged mentally incompetent by a court;
• Give up your right to vote in any other place.

Who is a resident?

A person's residence for voting purposes only is the place which is maintained as a home with the intent to remain there permanently or for a definite, indefinite, or undeterminable length of time. A person shall have only one voting residence.

May college students vote?

Yes! If you are 18, you may vote in your home town or in your college town (but not both). Votes may be cast in person or by absentee ballot, if proper procedures are followed. The Iowa Secretary of State provides detailed on-line information for both in-state and out-of-state students.

How does one register to vote?

On Line: Visit the website of the Story County Auditor or the Iowa Secretary of State to download a form.

By Mail: Registration forms may be obtained from the City Clerk's Office or online (see above). Forms may also be found in the Government Pages of the Qwest White and Yellow Pages.

Registration forms should be sent to:

Story County Auditor
900 Sixth Street
Nevada, IA 50201-2087

The forms are used to register to vote, report a change of name, address, telephone number or party affiliation. A house number and a street name must be included on all registration forms.

Be sure to include your Iowa Driver's License number or the last four digits of your social security number. If the information cannot be verified, a copy of a current and valid photo identification card showing your name OR a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or other government document showing your name and address should be enclosed.

In Person: During regular office hours, residents of Story County may drop off their voter registration forms in person at the City Clerk's Office (in all cities except Nevada) and the County Auditor's Office at the Courthouse in Nevada.

Is there a registration deadline?

Deadlines for registering to vote are ten (10) days before a primary or general election and eleven (11) days before any other election. The "worry-free postmark" date for registration by mail is fifteen (15) days before the election. Voters who are registered prior to the deadline are not required to show proof of residence and identity.

Same Day Registration

However, as of January 1, 2008, Iowa law allows voters to register on Election Day at the polling place for the precinct in which they live. After showing proper identification, one may register and vote at the precinct the same day.  Click here for more Same Day Registration Information and acceptable forms of ID.

What if a voter moves?

Voters who move to another precinct within Story County are allowed to change their address at the polls. The voter should go to his/her new-residence polling place and complete a new voter registration card on election day.

Persons who move to Story County from another county or another state must register anew.

For further information, see the home page of the Iowa Secretary of State.