Iowa Releases Final List of Candidates for June Primary Elections

Nearly 300 Democratic and Republican candidates qualified for the ballot, according to Secretary of State Paul Pate.

Mar. 18, 2026 at 2:27am

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Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate has released the final list of candidates for the state's June 2nd primary elections. The filing deadline for Democratic and Republican candidates seeking state and federal offices was March 13th at 5 p.m. Pate's office reviewed each nomination petition, including two separate signature counts, to ensure accuracy and transparency. Signature requirements vary by office, with candidates for U.S. Senate and Governor needing at least 3,500 signatures from eligible voters across 19 counties.

Why it matters

The June primaries will determine the Democratic and Republican candidates who will advance to the general election in November. This is a critical step in the electoral process, as the primary winners will go on to compete for state and federal offices that have a significant impact on Iowans' lives.

The details

Nearly 300 Democratic and Republican candidates qualified for the June 2nd primary ballot in Iowa. The Iowa Secretary of State's office reviewed each nomination petition, counting signatures twice to ensure accuracy. Candidates for U.S. Senate and Governor needed at least 3,500 signatures from eligible voters across 19 counties, while other statewide offices required 2,500 signatures with 77 coming from 19 counties. Legislative candidates needed fewer signatures, with State Senators requiring 100 and State Representatives needing 50.

  • The filing deadline for Democratic and Republican candidates was March 13th at 5 p.m.
  • The Iowa Secretary of State's office completed its final review of all candidates on March 16th.

The players

Paul Pate

The Iowa Secretary of State, who released the final list of candidates for the June 2nd primary elections.

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What they’re saying

“There were nearly 300 Democratic and Republican candidates who qualified for the ballot this June, and I want to congratulate them for meeting the threshold and seeing their hard work pay off.”

— Paul Pate, Iowa Secretary of State (radioonthego.com)

“My staff takes the review process very seriously, and I want to thank them for their meticulous work over the past few weeks to ensure that this part of the elections process is completed accurately and transparently.”

— Paul Pate, Iowa Secretary of State (radioonthego.com)

What’s next

The June 2nd primary elections will determine the Democratic and Republican candidates who will advance to the November general election.

The takeaway

The release of the final candidate list for Iowa's June primary elections is an important milestone in the state's electoral process. The thorough review process conducted by the Secretary of State's office helps ensure the integrity and transparency of the primary elections, which will have significant implications for Iowans in the general election.