In their fight to flip the House, Democrats are eyeing gains in what may seem an unlikely spot: Iowa. Two GOP seats in the Hawkeye State have emerged as true battlegrounds in the final stretch of the campaign,

It’s a notable shift as Republicans work to close Democrats’ long-held advantage with early and absentee voting in Iowa and across the country.

Iowa Sen. Janet Petersen is seeking a fourth term in office this fall. She is the only candidate on the ballot in Des Moines-based District 18.

Early voting has officially begun in Iowa, as of Wednesday, Oct. 16 for the 2024 general election. Iowans will have an early chance to weigh in on their choice for president and U.S. representative, in addition to a number of state legislative and local races and two constitutional amendments in the Nov.

Republican state Rep. Brian Lohse is facing a challenge from Democrat Anthony W. Thompson in the race for Iowa House District 45 in Polk County.

"If something happens to you on the voter day, November 5th, and you don't make it, you'll regret it," one early voter said.

Iowa, Kansas, Nevada, Oregon and Rhode Island began early voting on Wednesday, leaving just one state to kick off the 2024 election.

Wednesday is the first day that Iowans can vote early in the 2024 election. At 8:00 a.m. County Auditor offices across the state opened for early voters. County Auditor’s offices will also send out absentee ballots Wednesday to voters who requested them.

County Republican and Democratic organizers say interest is pouring in across Iowa from residents interested in being a poll watcher on Election Day.

Absentee voting started in Iowa on Wednesday. Mills County Election Assistant Katie Dodge recommends voters do a little homework on local races before showing up to the polls. There's a lot more on the ballot than just the presidential race.

Busy on Election Day, but still want the experience of in-person voting? Early in-person voting is now available in the state of Iowa.