The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa will use the following procedures for emergency elections filings for the Tuesday, November 3, 2026, election. The procedures outlined below are for all Southern District of Iowa divisions.

Election Day Filings Before 4:00 p.m.:

1. Emergency petitions should be filed electronically using CM/ECF.
2. Once documents are filed, the filer must contact the Clerk of Court or the Chief Deputy to set up a time for proceedings.
3. If for some reason a filing cannot be made electronically, paper documents must be delivered to the Clerk's Office for filing. Please note that the Clerk’s Office public counter hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Election Day After-Hours Emergency Filing Procedures:

1. After-hours emergency petitions should be filed electronically using CM/ECF. Please contact the Clerk of Court or the Chief Deputy if a filing cannot be made electronically.
2. Once documents are filed, the filer must contact the Clerk of Court or the Chief Deputy at the number listed below in order to set up a time for proceedings.
3. It is critical that the Clerk of Court or the Chief Deputy be contacted in order for the judicial process to begin immediately.
4. Depending on the filings submitted and the nature of relief being sought, the case will be decided by in-person proceedings, by telephonic proceedings or electronically.
5. All matters submitted after 4:00 p.m. on Election Day will be heard and decided upon by a U.S. District Judge.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Chandlor G. Collins, Clerk of Court: 515-823-9748
Lindee Jeneary, Chief Deputy: 515-284-6255