When is the 2026 election in Ankeny?

The general election is Tuesday, November 3, 2026, with polls open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Early in-person and mailed voting begin October 14, 2026. Ankeny also held a special election on September 8, 2026 on a local option sales tax, which voters approved (64% yes, unofficial results).

Ankeny 2026 Election: What's on Your November 3 Ballot

Q: What is on the ballot in Ankeny in 2026?

On the November 3, 2026 ballot, Ankeny voters will see an open U.S. Senate seat, the IA-03 U.S. House race, an open race for governor, five other statewide executive offices, their Iowa Senate and Iowa House seats, several Polk County offices, and judicial retention questions. Ankeny is split across districts, so the exact statehouse and county races depend on your address.

Q: Is there a U.S. Senate race in Iowa in 2026?

Yes. One of Iowa's two U.S. Senate seats is up in 2026, and it is an open seat because the incumbent, Joni Ernst, is not seeking re-election. As of September 1, 2026 the general-election candidates are Ashley Hinson (Republican), Thomas Laehn (Libertarian), and Josh Turek (Democrat).

Q: Who is running for governor of Iowa in 2026?

The governor's race is open because Governor Kim Reynolds is not seeking re-election. As of September 1, 2026 the general-election candidates are Zach Lahn (Republican) and Rob Sand (Democrat). Each runs with a lieutenant governor running mate.

2026 is a big ballot in Ankeny: an open U.S. Senate seat, an open governor's race, all six statewide executive offices, your seats in the Iowa Legislature, and several Polk County offices. Here is the whole ballot, race by race, with the candidates listed in each and one plain line on what the office actually does. We take no side and endorse no one.

Read this first

Candidates below are current as of September 1, 2026, drawn from the Polk County Auditor's official candidate list and Ballotpedia. The ballot is not certified until the fall, and independent or third-party candidates can still be added. Ankeny is split across several precincts and legislative districts, so your exact statehouse and county races depend on your address. Always confirm against your own sample ballot. Names are listed alphabetically, not in any order of preference.

The quick answer

Ankeny's November 3, 2026 ballot has: an open U.S. Senate seat (Sen. Joni Ernst is retiring), the IA-03 U.S. House race, an open race for governor (Gov. Kim Reynolds is not running), five other statewide offices, your Iowa Senate and House seats, several Polk County offices, and judicial retention questions. See how and when to vote.

Federal

Federal offices

U.S. Senate (Iowa) - open seat

One of Iowa's two seats in the U.S. Senate, a six-year term. Open because Sen. Joni Ernst is not seeking re-election.

Ashley HinsonRepublican

Thomas LaehnLibertarian

Josh TurekDemocrat

U.S. House, Iowa's 3rd District (IA-03)

Represents central Iowa, including Ankeny, in the U.S. House, a two-year term.

Zach Nunn (incumbent)Republican

Sarah Trone GarriottDemocrat

Statewide

Statewide executive offices

All six of Iowa's statewide executive offices are on the 2026 ballot.

Governor - open seat

Iowa's chief executive, a four-year term. Each candidate runs with a lieutenant governor running mate. Open because Gov. Kim Reynolds is not seeking re-election.

Zach LahnRepublican

Rob SandDemocrat

Attorney General

The state's top lawyer and consumer-protection office.

Brenna Bird (incumbent)Republican

Nate WillemsDemocrat

Secretary of State

Runs Iowa elections and business filings.

Paul Pate (incumbent)Republican

Ryan PetermanDemocrat

Auditor of State - open seat

The state's independent financial watchdog. Open because Auditor Rob Sand is running for governor.

Chris CournoyerRepublican

Taylor WettachDemocrat

Treasurer of State

Manages state funds and returns unclaimed property.

John NorwoodDemocrat

Roby Smith (incumbent)Republican

Secretary of Agriculture

Oversees the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship.

Chris JonesDemocrat

Mike Naig (incumbent)Republican

Statehouse

Your seats in the Iowa Legislature

Ankeny is split among Iowa House Districts 40, 41 and 42, and Senate District 21 is on the ballot this year. Confirm your own districts by address, since some edge precincts differ.

Iowa Senate, District 21

Your representative in the Iowa Senate. Odd-numbered Senate seats are up in 2026; District 20 is not on this year's ballot.

John HollinrakeRepublican

Heather MatsonDemocrat

Iowa House, District 40

Your representative in the Iowa House. All 100 House seats are up every two years.

Bill Gustoff (incumbent)Republican

Heather SieversDemocrat

Iowa House, District 41

Your representative in the Iowa House.

Molly BuckDemocrat

Ryan Weldon (incumbent)Republican

Iowa House, District 42 - open seat

Your representative in the Iowa House. Open because Rep. Heather Matson is running for the Senate.

Heather StephensonRepublican

Amy TagliareniDemocrat

Polk County

Polk County offices

County Supervisor Districts 1, 4 and 5, plus the County Attorney, Treasurer and Recorder, are on the 2026 ballot. In the three supervisor races, no Republican filed, so the Democratic nominee is unopposed by a major party pending any independent filings. Confirm your supervisor district by address.

Polk County Supervisor, District 1

Member of the five-person county board that sets the county budget and services.

John ForbesDemocrat

Polk County Supervisor, District 4 - open seat

County board member. Open because Supervisor Tom Hockensmith is retiring.

Heather Jones-BrownDemocrat

Polk County Supervisor, District 5 - open seat

County board member. Open because Supervisor Angela Connolly is retiring.

Izaah KnoxDemocrat

Polk County Attorney

The county's chief prosecutor. A Republican challenger has filed; the name will appear on the certified ballot.

Kimberly Graham (incumbent)Democrat

Polk County Treasurer

Collects property taxes and handles vehicle registration.

Mary WellsDemocrat

Polk County Recorder - open seat

Keeps county records such as deeds and vital records. Open because the longtime recorder is retiring.

Lisa J. ChiodoDemocrat

Also on the ballot

Judges and any local questions

At every even-year general election, Iowa voters decide whether to retain certain judges (a yes or no on keeping them, not a race between candidates). Ankeny voters will see retention questions for Iowa Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and local district judges. The specific 2026 slate is set by the state closer to the election, so check your sample ballot for the exact judges and for any local public-measure questions in your precinct.

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Quick answers

Ankeny 2026 ballot FAQ

What is on the ballot in Ankeny in 2026?

An open U.S. Senate seat, the IA-03 U.S. House race, an open governor's race, five other statewide offices, your Iowa Senate and House seats, several Polk County offices, and judicial retention questions. Your exact statehouse and county races depend on your address.

Is there a U.S. Senate race in Iowa in 2026?

Yes, and it is an open seat because Sen. Joni Ernst is not seeking re-election. As of September 1, 2026 the candidates are Ashley Hinson (R), Thomas Laehn (Libertarian), and Josh Turek (D).

Who is running for governor of Iowa in 2026?

The seat is open because Gov. Kim Reynolds is not running. As of September 1, 2026 the candidates are Zach Lahn (R) and Rob Sand (D), each with a lieutenant governor running mate.

When is the 2026 election?

The general election is Tuesday, November 3, 2026, polls open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Early and mailed voting begin October 14. Ankeny also approved a 1 percent local option sales tax on September 8, 2026 (64% yes, unofficial results).

More from The Ankeny Brief Ankeny Voter Guide · How to vote · Who represents Ankeny · The Sept 8 sales-tax result · All Ankeny guides

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Candidates as of September 2026

Sources: Polk County Auditor official 2026 candidate list (Iowa Legislature and county races); Ballotpedia 2026 race pages for the U.S. Senate, IA-03, governor, and statewide offices; NBC News (Sen. Ernst not seeking re-election). Fields are as of September 1, 2026 and are not final until the ballot is certified. Independent, third-party, write-in, and nonpartisan filings, judicial retention, and any local public measures should be confirmed on your certified sample ballot from the Polk County Auditor.

What is on your November 3, 2026 ballot in Ankeny, race by race.