Signed by Governor Kim Reynolds

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that amends voting laws by limiting time for absentee voting, removing inactive voters faster, and shortening election day voting.

Highlights:

• Authorizes the state elections commissioner to impose a fine not to exceed $10,000 to be deposited in the general fund if a county commissioner commits a technical infraction (Sec. 9-3.a).

• Requires the state commissioner to immediately inform the state’s attorney general and relevant county attorney if the apparent violation constitutes or may constitute election misconduct (Sec. 10-4).

• Requires nominations for candidates for president and vice president, governor and lieutenant governor, and United States senator may be made by nomination petitions signed by not less than three thousand five hundred eligible electors, including at least one hundred eligible electors each from at least nineteen counties of the state (Sec. 16-1).

• Specifies the county commissioner of elections does not possess home rule powers concerning the exercise of powers or duties related to the conduct of elections (Sec. 19-1).

• Establishes voter registration closes at 5:00 p.m., fifteen days before each election. An eligible elector may register during the time registration is closed in the elector’s precinct but the registration can not become effective until registration opens again in the elector’s precinct (Sec. 22-1).

• Requires commissioners participate in the national change of address program by mailing registered voters who have not voted in the most recent general election and have not registered again, or who have not reported a change to an existing registration informing them that they are marked inactive (Sec. 25.b).

• Specifies if a voter does not return the card, and they do not vote in some election in (name of county) County, Iowa, on or before (date of the second general election following the date of the notice) their name will be removed from the list of voters in that county (Sec. 27.b).

• Prohibits the county commissioner and the state commissioner from mailing an absentee ballot to a person who has not applied for an absentee ballot (Sec. 49-4).

• Requires the return envelope to be received in the commissioner’s office before the polls close on election day for the ballot to be counted (Sec. 54-2).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that amends voting laws by limiting time for absentee voting, removing inactive voters faster, and shortening election day voting.

Highlights:

• Authorizes the state elections commissioner to impose a fine not to exceed $10,000 to be deposited in the general fund if a county commissioner commits a technical infraction (Sec. 9-3.a).

• Requires the state commissioner to immediately inform the state’s attorney general and relevant county attorney if the apparent violation constitutes or may constitute election misconduct (Sec. 10-4).

• Requires nominations for candidates for president and vice president, governor and lieutenant governor, and United States senator may be made by nomination petitions signed by not less than three thousand five hundred eligible electors, including at least one hundred eligible electors each from at least nineteen counties of the state (Sec. 16-1).

• Specifies the county commissioner of elections does not possess home rule powers concerning the exercise of powers or duties related to the conduct of elections (Sec. 19-1).

• Establishes voter registration closes at 5:00 p.m., fifteen days before each election. An eligible elector may register during the time registration is closed in the elector’s precinct but the registration can not become effective until registration opens again in the elector’s precinct (Sec. 22-1).

• Requires commissioners participate in the national change of address program by mailing registered voters who have not voted in the most recent general election and have not registered again, or who have not reported a change to an existing registration informing them that they are marked inactive (Sec. 25.b).

• Specifies if a voter does not return the card, and they do not vote in some election in (name of county) County, Iowa, on or before (date of the second general election following the date of the notice) their name will be removed from the list of voters in that county (Sec. 27.b).

• Prohibits the county commissioner and the state commissioner from mailing an absentee ballot to a person who has not applied for an absentee ballot (Sec. 49-4).

• Requires the return envelope to be received in the commissioner’s office before the polls close on election day for the ballot to be counted (Sec. 54-2).

Full Bill Text