Electionpedia.com
2026 · Governor

Iowa governor election

Election Day: November 3, 2026. Meet the published candidates, compare reported surveys and make your voting plan.

Make your voting plan

Iowa

Election Day hours: 7 a.m.–8 p.m. Central time

Who is on the November ballot?

November 3, 2026 · 2 printed ballot names · alphabetical

Official November list checked .

November write-in information

Write-in rules and filing deadlines vary by office and state. Check the current official list; the printed roster alone does not establish whether write-ins are eligible. Official write-in information ↗

Dates for November 3

Download calendar ↓

Partial coverage: only the dated entries below have been checked. Confirm other deadlines and exceptions with your election office.

Iowa · Sourced election dates
ActionDateDetails and source
Register online
Passed
Pre-registration deadline; Election Day registration remains available.
Official source ↗
Register by mail
Passed
Pre-registration deadline; confirm receipt rules with your county auditor.
Official source ↗
Register in person
13 days left
Eligible voters can register at the polls; bring required identification and residency proof.
Official source ↗
Early voting begins
Passed
Absentee in-person voting begins at county election offices.
Official source ↗
Early voting ends
12 days left
Last day for absentee voting in person; check county hours.
Official source ↗
Request mail ballot
Passed
Mailed-ballot request must reach the county auditor before 5 p.m. Central.
Official source ↗
Return ballot
13 days left
County auditor must receive domestic absentee ballots before 8 p.m. Central; UOCAVA/Chapter 9E rules differ.
Official source ↗

Election Day registration is available; check required identification and proof of residence. Source ↗

Checked 2026-10-16. Confirm local details and exceptions with your election office.

POLLING · SURVEYS, NOT PREDICTIONS

What do the polls say?

20 survey records

Individual surveys of 2026 contests, including earlier cycle history from 2025. Matchups and populations stay separate; older or hypothetical matchups do not establish who is on the current ballot.

Simple average, not a forecast

Each pollster’s latest general-election survey ending within the last 30 days, with equal weight. Reviewed candidate identities join spelling variants; different matchups and voter populations stay separate. Percentages describe reported support, not a chance of winning.

Newest fieldwork appears first. When dates tie, the default favors more pollsters not marked internal or partisan in this 30-day window. Source labels remain visible; this is not a pollster-quality rating.

Likely voters · 6 polls

Sep 22, 2026–Oct 12, 2026 · Lead between the two highest answers: 7.6 percentage points

Reported answerAverage support
Rob Sand51.2%
Zach Lahn43.6%
Included surveys & calculation

Add each answer’s reported support across these 6 surveys and divide by 6. No house effects, sample weights, undecided allocation or error band is applied. Incomplete numeric matchups are excluded from this calculation but remain in the survey history. Full methodology →

Hover or tap a date to see the survey and source.

Polling history for the selected matchup17 survey observations. Vertical scale: reported support from 0 to 60 percent. Select a survey date to read its source. Arrow keys move between dates. Exact figures and source links follow in the survey reports.0%15%30%45%60%Rob Sand: 50% · YouGov · Oct 12, 2026 · 2,245 people surveyed · https://d3nkl3psvxxpe9.cloudfront.net/documents/ttw_ia_20261006_lv.pdfRob Sand: 52% · Marist University · Oct 11, 2026 · 1,100 people surveyed · https://maristpoll.marist.edu/polls/2026-midterm-elections-in-iowa-october-2026/Rob Sand: 49% · Emerson College · Oct 6, 2026 · 650 people surveyed · https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1mKToIlrAwY0ehEA60PVFemP5WjwxsTxN/edit?rtpof=true&sd=trueRob Sand: 51% · CNN/SSRS · Oct 5, 2026 · 801 people surveyed · https://www.cnn.com/2026/10/08/politics/cnn-polls-ohio-iowa-senate-governor-midtermsRob Sand: 52% · The New York Times/Siena University · Oct 1, 2026 · 606 people surveyed · https://sri.siena.edu/2026/10/04/nytimes-siena-poll-of-likely-voters-gubernatorial-races-2/Rob Sand: 53% · Beacon Research/Shaw & Co. Research · Sep 28, 2026 · 1,008 people surveyed · https://www.foxnews.com/politics/fox-news-poll-turek-hinson-close-iowa-senate-raceRob Sand: 46% · co/efficient · Sep 16, 2026 · 831 people surveyed · https://battlegrounds.coefficient.org/ia/Rob Sand: 51% · YouGov · Sep 8, 2026 · 2,041 people surveyed · https://d3nkl3psvxxpe9.cloudfront.net/documents/iowa_election_20260903.pdfRob Sand: 49% · Emerson College · Sep 1, 2026 · 750 people surveyed · https://emersoncollegepolling.com/iowa-2026-poll-hinson-leads-turek/Rob Sand: 51% · Wedgewood Polls · Aug 29, 2026 · 600 people surveyed · https://drive.google.com/file/d/1db0gbhfCa_aNzU7yfM3dufl601cW1FbY/viewRob Sand: 47.8% · Suffolk University · Aug 23, 2026 · 500 people surveyed · https://www.suffolk.edu/academics/research-at-suffolk/political-research-center/polls/other-states#collapse-August-26-2026-Iowa-Governor-and-US-Senate-General-ElectionRob Sand: 48% · Emerson College · Aug 4, 2026 · 712 people surveyed · https://emersoncollegepolling.com/iowa-2026-poll/Rob Sand: 47.7% · Cygnal · Jun 19, 2026 · 600 people surveyed · https://taxrelief.org/itr-foundation-poll-shows-iowans-want-taxpayer-protection/Rob Sand: 48% · The New York Times/Siena University · Jun 17, 2026 · 600 people surveyed · https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2026/07/01/polls/times-siena-iowa-poll-crosstabs.htmlRob Sand: 51% · Echelon Insights · Apr 9, 2026 · 377 people surveyed · https://netchoice.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/NetChoice-Apr-2026-National-Antitrust-Survey-Topline.pdfRob Sand: 50% · GBAO Strategies · Mar 16, 2026 · 1,200 people surveyed · https://www.politico.com/f/?id=0000019d-8400-d182-a9fd-b63c76ae0000Rob Sand: 45% · Z to A Research · Oct 13, 2025 · 1,351 people surveyed · https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HUjmkP8wl8fiZfh3pzRVts-fKT0QM9fMW9slGjueOB8/edit?tab=t.0Zach Lahn: 44% · YouGov · Oct 12, 2026 · 2,245 people surveyed · https://d3nkl3psvxxpe9.cloudfront.net/documents/ttw_ia_20261006_lv.pdfZach Lahn: 45% · Marist University · Oct 11, 2026 · 1,100 people surveyed · https://maristpoll.marist.edu/polls/2026-midterm-elections-in-iowa-october-2026/Zach Lahn: 45.3% · Emerson College · Oct 6, 2026 · 650 people surveyed · https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1mKToIlrAwY0ehEA60PVFemP5WjwxsTxN/edit?rtpof=true&sd=trueZach Lahn: 42% · CNN/SSRS · Oct 5, 2026 · 801 people surveyed · https://www.cnn.com/2026/10/08/politics/cnn-polls-ohio-iowa-senate-governor-midtermsZach Lahn: 41% · The New York Times/Siena University · Oct 1, 2026 · 606 people surveyed · https://sri.siena.edu/2026/10/04/nytimes-siena-poll-of-likely-voters-gubernatorial-races-2/Zach Lahn: 44% · Beacon Research/Shaw & Co. Research · Sep 28, 2026 · 1,008 people surveyed · https://www.foxnews.com/politics/fox-news-poll-turek-hinson-close-iowa-senate-raceZach Lahn: 42% · co/efficient · Sep 16, 2026 · 831 people surveyed · https://battlegrounds.coefficient.org/ia/Zach Lahn: 41% · YouGov · Sep 8, 2026 · 2,041 people surveyed · https://d3nkl3psvxxpe9.cloudfront.net/documents/iowa_election_20260903.pdfZach Lahn: 46% · Emerson College · Sep 1, 2026 · 750 people surveyed · https://emersoncollegepolling.com/iowa-2026-poll-hinson-leads-turek/Zach Lahn: 46% · Wedgewood Polls · Aug 29, 2026 · 600 people surveyed · https://drive.google.com/file/d/1db0gbhfCa_aNzU7yfM3dufl601cW1FbY/viewZach Lahn: 43.6% · Suffolk University · Aug 23, 2026 · 500 people surveyed · https://www.suffolk.edu/academics/research-at-suffolk/political-research-center/polls/other-states#collapse-August-26-2026-Iowa-Governor-and-US-Senate-General-ElectionZach Lahn: 43% · Emerson College · Aug 4, 2026 · 712 people surveyed · https://emersoncollegepolling.com/iowa-2026-poll/Zach Lahn: 43.4% · Cygnal · Jun 19, 2026 · 600 people surveyed · https://taxrelief.org/itr-foundation-poll-shows-iowans-want-taxpayer-protection/Zach Lahn: 47% · The New York Times/Siena University · Jun 17, 2026 · 600 people surveyed · https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2026/07/01/polls/times-siena-iowa-poll-crosstabs.htmlZach Lahn: 39% · Echelon Insights · Apr 9, 2026 · 377 people surveyed · https://netchoice.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/NetChoice-Apr-2026-National-Antitrust-Survey-Topline.pdfZach Lahn: 42% · GBAO Strategies · Mar 16, 2026 · 1,200 people surveyed · https://www.politico.com/f/?id=0000019d-8400-d182-a9fd-b63c76ae0000Zach Lahn: 43% · Z to A Research · Oct 13, 2025 · 1,351 people surveyed · https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HUjmkP8wl8fiZfh3pzRVts-fKT0QM9fMW9slGjueOB8/edit?tab=t.0Oct 13, 2025Oct 12, 2026
Rob SandZach Lahn

Party colors: Republican red, Democratic blue, Independent purple. Other or unmatched affiliations are gray. Dash patterns distinguish candidates sharing a color.

Dots show reported support. Lines connect surveys over time—not an average or forecast. Pollsters can differ. Missing values and multiple surveys ending on the same date break the lines.

How to read this chart

No average, trend estimate, or win probability. Different matchups and populations are not combined. Dates mark the last day people were surveyed. The vertical scale always starts at zero; use “Full 0–100% scale” to compare charts on the same scale. The number of people surveyed is the survey sample size, not the number supporting a candidate. Select “Survey source” to inspect every report, including overlapping dots.

Individual survey reports (17)

Latest surveys · selected matchup

Individual reports. Original sources and methodology below.

2026 Iowa

YouGov

Fieldwork –
Reported support
  • Rob SandDemocratic50%
  • Zach LahnRepublican44%

0–100% scale · Listed alphabetically

Sample
2,245 people surveyed
Population
Likely voters
Survey details & methodology
Reported margin of error
Not supplied in this feed
Method
Not supplied in this feed
Sponsors
Not supplied in this feed
Pollster/sponsor partisan label
Not supplied
Internal poll
Not marked internal by provider
Added by provider
Provider ID
gov202youbb5e2c57
Fieldwork –
Reported support
  • Rob SandDemocratic52%
  • Zach LahnRepublican45%

0–100% scale · Listed alphabetically

Sample
1,100 people surveyed
Population
Likely voters
Survey details & methodology
Reported margin of error
Not supplied in this feed
Method
Not supplied in this feed
Sponsors
Not supplied in this feed
Pollster/sponsor partisan label
Not supplied
Internal poll
Not marked internal by provider
Added by provider
Provider ID
gov202mare696c6f1
Fieldwork –
Reported support
  • Rob SandDemocratic49%
  • Zach LahnRepublican45.3%

0–100% scale · Listed alphabetically

Sample
650 people surveyed
Population
Likely voters
Survey details & methodology
Reported margin of error
Not supplied in this feed
Method
Not supplied in this feed
Sponsors
Nexstar Media
Pollster/sponsor partisan label
Not supplied
Internal poll
Not marked internal by provider
Added by provider
Provider ID
gov202eme98216637
2026 Iowa

CNN/SSRS

Fieldwork –
Reported support
  • Rob SandDemocratic51%
  • Zach LahnRepublican42%

0–100% scale · Listed alphabetically

Sample
801 people surveyed
Population
Likely voters
Survey details & methodology
Reported margin of error
Not supplied in this feed
Method
Not supplied in this feed
Sponsors
Not supplied in this feed
Pollster/sponsor partisan label
Not supplied
Internal poll
Not marked internal by provider
Added by provider
Provider ID
gov202cnn1640632d
Fieldwork –
Reported support
  • Rob SandDemocratic52%
  • Zach LahnRepublican41%

0–100% scale · Listed alphabetically

Sample
606 people surveyed
Population
Likely voters
Survey details & methodology
Reported margin of error
Not supplied in this feed
Method
Not supplied in this feed
Sponsors
Not supplied in this feed
Pollster/sponsor partisan label
Not supplied
Internal poll
Not marked internal by provider
Added by provider
Provider ID
gov202thefb920530
Fieldwork –
Reported support
  • Rob SandDemocratic53%
  • Zach LahnRepublican44%

0–100% scale · Listed alphabetically

Sample
1,008 people surveyed
Population
Likely voters
Survey details & methodology
Reported margin of error
Not supplied in this feed
Method
Not supplied in this feed
Sponsors
Fox News
Pollster/sponsor partisan label
Not supplied
Internal poll
Not marked internal by provider
Added by provider
Provider ID
gov202bea91ef4faa
Fieldwork –
Reported support
  • Rob SandDemocratic46%
  • Zach LahnRepublican42%

0–100% scale · Listed alphabetically

Sample
831 people surveyed
Population
Likely voters
Survey details & methodology
Reported margin of error
Not supplied in this feed
Method
Not supplied in this feed
Sponsors
Not supplied in this feed
Pollster/sponsor partisan label
REP
Internal poll
Not marked internal by provider
Added by provider
Provider ID
gov202co/562ad972
2026 Iowa

YouGov

Fieldwork –
Reported support
  • Rob SandDemocratic51%
  • Zach LahnRepublican41%

0–100% scale · Listed alphabetically

Sample
2,041 people surveyed
Population
Likely voters
Survey details & methodology
Reported margin of error
Not supplied in this feed
Method
Not supplied in this feed
Sponsors
Not supplied in this feed
Pollster/sponsor partisan label
Not supplied
Internal poll
Not marked internal by provider
Added by provider
Provider ID
gov202you30403394

Labels and figures are supplied by VoteHub. A listed matchup does not establish ballot qualification or primary/general-election status unless the source explicitly says so. Unlisted responses may include undecided voters or other choices; the displayed figures are not rescaled to total 100%.

Polling compilation: VoteHub · CC BY 4.0. Electionpedia normalizes dates, matches races, and visualizes reported results; it does not estimate outcomes. Original survey links are attached to each report.

Saved polling snapshot in use (captured 10/16/2026, 9:21:35 PM UTC). Automatic refresh has not completed for every feed; check each survey’s field dates.

Last successful feed updates
  • Senate: 10/16/2026, 9:21:35 PM UTC · 474 survey records
  • House: 10/16/2026, 9:21:35 PM UTC · 133 survey records
  • Governor: 10/16/2026, 9:21:35 PM UTC · 349 survey records
  • National preference: 10/16/2026, 9:21:35 PM UTC · 546 survey records

An update time is when we checked the feed, not when a survey was conducted. Coverage is not exhaustive.

Follow campaign money

Governor campaigns file with their state’s campaign-finance authorities. Federal candidate totals do not describe this race.

ETHICS AND CAMPAIGN DISCLOSURE BOARD ↗

State campaign-finance sources →

No verified prediction-market match is connected for this race yet. See national House and Senate market prices →

Election inventory: National Governors Association ↗ · checked 2026-10-11. Ballot status comes from the separate state certification when present.
How to interpret this record

2026 Iowa Governor Election: Candidates, Polls & Voting

A ballot brings together several decisions that share an election date but may follow different rules. The office, jurisdiction and stage of the election tell you what each choice means.

Start with the office and the place

An election record describes a particular office or question in a particular jurisdiction. A statewide contest is different from a congressional district, a city council seat or a school district. An address can help connect those boundaries, but a ZIP code alone is not a guarantee of one exact ballot. Use the election authority’s own ballot lookup to confirm the final choices for a voter.

Separate a filing from a ballot appearance

A campaign-finance filing tells you that a financial record exists. It does not, by itself, establish that the person qualified for the November ballot. A primary participant, withdrawn candidate and certified general-election candidate can all leave public records. Read the election stage and the source label before treating a directory as a current candidate list. Registered write-in candidates are a separate category whose rules depend on the jurisdiction.

Read the full elections & ballots guide →