Iowa § 49.73 - 49.73 Time of opening and closing polls.

Full text of Iowa Iowa Code § 49.73 — 49.73 Time of opening and closing polls., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 49.73. 49.73 Time of opening and closing polls.

1. At all elections, except as otherwise permitted by this section, the polls shall be opened at 7:00 a.m. if at least one official from each of the political parties referred to in section 49.13 is present. On the basis of voter turnout for recent similar elections and factors considered likely to so affect voter turnout for the forthcoming election as to justify shortened voting hours for that election, the commissioner may direct that the polls be opened at 12:00 noon for: a. Any election conducted for a benefited district. b. Any election conducted for the unincorporated area of a county. 2. All polling places where the candidates of or any public question submitted by any one political subdivision are being voted upon shall be opened at the same hour. The hours at which the respective precinct polling places are to open shall not be changed after publication of the notice required by section 49.53. The polling places shall be closed at 8:00 p.m. for all elections. [C51, §251; R60, §486; C73, §611; C97, §1096, 2751, 2754, 2756; S13, §1087-a6, 1096, 2754, 2756; C24, 27, §565, 791, 4202, 4211; C31, 35, §565, 791, 4216-c9; C39, §565, 791, 4216.09; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, §43.37, 49.73, 277.9; C75, 77, 79, 81, §49.73] 94 Acts, ch 1180, §13; 2002 Acts, ch 1134, §37, 38, 115; 2007 Acts, ch 59, §11, 19; 2008 Acts, ch 1115, §97; 2009 Acts, ch 138, §1; 2017 Acts, ch 155, §25, 26, 44; 2021 Acts, ch 12, §36, 73; 2021 Acts, ch 174, §10, 34, 37 Referred to in §53.2 Subsection 2, paragraph b repealed by its own terms effective July 1, 2025, and former paragraph a redesignated as an unnumbered paragraph; 2021 Acts, ch 12, §36 Wed Dec 10 22:23:56 2025 Iowa Code 2026, Section 49.73 (31, 2)

Source: official Iowa text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Iowa § 49.73

What does Iowa Code § 49.73 cover?

Section 49.73 ("49.73 Time of opening and closing polls.") is part of the Iowa Code, the codified statutory law of Iowa. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Iowa § 49.73?

A common citation format is "Iowa Code § 49.73" (Iowa). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Iowa law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Iowa official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Iowa attorney.

How does Iowa § 49.73 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Iowa can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Iowa.