Bureau of Labor Statistics

Early voting opens Wednesday in Iowa, a state hosting competitive races for governor and seats in the U.S. Senate and House. Voters cite cost of living as a top concern, with Midwest grocery prices up 2.2% year-over-year as of July. Tariffs and agriculture are also prominent issues, as Iowa importers have paid an estimated $1.7 billion in tariffs through June while farmers face high input costs and trade uncertainty.

Other key issues include health care, with Iowa facing Medicaid budget pressures and upcoming eligibility changes such as work requirements, and water quality, which a poll commissioned by the Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future found ranks among the top five concerns for 60% of likely voters, including 64% of independents. School funding, particularly Iowa's expanding private-school tuition program, remains another dividing line. Mail ballot requests must reach county auditors by 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 19, with early voting locations varying by county.