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House
File
2165
-
Introduced
HOUSE
FILE
2165
BY
GOLDING
,
LARSON
,
HAYES
,
THOMSON
,
DIEKEN
,
FETT
,
GERHOLD
,
WILLIAMS
,
GEARHART
,
THOMPSON
,
BRADLEY
,
and
ANDREWS
A
BILL
FOR
An
Act
relating
to
the
casting
of
ballots
by
absent
voters.
1
BE
IT
ENACTED
BY
THE
GENERAL
ASSEMBLY
OF
THE
STATE
OF
IOWA:
2
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5300YH
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Section
1.
Section
9E.6,
subsection
2,
paragraph
b,
Code
1
2026,
is
amended
to
read
as
follows:
2
b.
The
program
participant
shall
complete
the
ballot
and
3
return
it
to
the
state
commissioner
of
elections,
who
shall
4
review
the
ballot
in
the
manner
provided
by
sections
53.18
5
and
53.19
if
the
return
envelope
is
received
in
the
state
6
commissioner’s
office
before
the
polls
close
by
5:00
p.m.
7
on
the
day
before
election
day
or
is
clearly
postmarked
by
8
an
officially
authorized
postal
service
or
bears
a
postal
9
service
barcode
traceable
to
a
date
of
entry
into
the
federal
10
mail
system
not
later
than
the
day
before
the
election,
as
11
provided
in
section
53.17A
.
If
the
materials
comply
with
the
12
requirements
of
section
53.18
,
the
materials
shall
be
certified
13
by
the
state
commissioner
of
elections
as
the
ballot
of
a
14
program
participant,
and
shall
be
forwarded
to
the
appropriate
15
county
commissioner
of
elections
for
tabulation
by
the
special
16
voters
precinct
election
board
appointed
pursuant
to
section
17
53.23
.
18
Sec.
2.
NEW
SECTION
.
53.1B
Definitions.
19
For
purposes
of
this
subchapter,
unless
the
context
20
otherwise
requires:
21
1.
“Affidavit
envelope”
means
an
envelope
that
includes
22
a
serial
number
and
bears
on
the
back
an
affidavit
for
a
23
registered
voter
to
mark
the
registered
voter’s
signature
and
24
voter
verification
number
in
a
form
prescribed
by
the
state
25
commissioner.
26
2.
“Delivery
envelope”
means
an
envelope
that
bears
on
its
27
face
the
name
and
address
of
the
registered
voter
requesting
an
28
absentee
ballot,
the
words
“county
commissioner
of
elections”,
29
and
the
same
serial
number
that
appears
on
the
affidavit
30
envelope
and
return
envelope,
but
does
not
bear
on
its
face
the
31
address
of
the
commissioner’s
office.
32
3.
“Return
envelope”
means
an
envelope
that
is
addressed
33
to
the
commissioner’s
office
and
includes
the
address
of
the
34
commissioner’s
office
in
the
space
for
a
return
address,
bears
35
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appropriate
return
postage
or
a
postal
permit
guaranteeing
that
1
the
commissioner
will
pay
the
return
postage,
and
includes
2
the
same
serial
number
as
the
affidavit
envelope
and
delivery
3
envelope.
4
4.
“Secrecy
envelope”
means
an
envelope,
folder,
or
sleeve
5
that
hides
all
votes
on
a
ballot
when
folded.
6
Sec.
3.
Section
53.8,
subsection
1,
paragraphs
a
and
b,
Code
7
2026,
are
amended
to
read
as
follows:
8
a.
Upon
receipt
of
an
application
for
an
absentee
ballot
9
and
immediately
after
the
absentee
ballots
are
printed,
but
not
10
more
than
twenty
days
before
the
election,
the
commissioner
11
shall
mail
an
absentee
ballot
to
the
applicant
within
12
twenty-four
hours,
except
as
otherwise
provided
in
subsection
13
3
.
The
absentee
ballot
shall
be
sent
to
the
registered
voter
14
by
one
of
the
following
methods:
enclosed
in
an
unsealed
15
affidavit
envelope.
The
absentee
ballot
and
affidavit
envelope
16
shall
be
enclosed
in
or
with
an
unsealed
return
envelope.
The
17
absentee
ballot,
affidavit
envelope,
and
return
envelope
shall
18
be
enclosed
in
the
delivery
envelope.
If
the
ballot
cannot
be
19
folded
so
that
all
the
votes
on
the
ballot
will
be
hidden,
the
20
commissioner
shall
also
enclose
a
secrecy
envelope
with
the
21
absentee
ballot.
22
(1)
The
absentee
ballot
shall
be
enclosed
in
an
unsealed
23
envelope
marked
with
a
serial
number
and
affidavit.
The
24
absentee
ballot
and
affidavit
envelope
shall
be
enclosed
in
25
or
with
an
unsealed
return
envelope
marked
postage
paid
which
26
bears
the
same
serial
number
as
the
affidavit
envelope.
The
27
absentee
ballot,
affidavit
envelope,
and
return
envelope
shall
28
be
enclosed
in
a
third
envelope
to
be
sent
to
the
registered
29
voter.
If
the
ballot
cannot
be
folded
so
that
all
of
the
votes
30
cast
on
the
ballot
will
be
hidden,
the
commissioner
shall
also
31
enclose
a
secrecy
envelope
with
the
absentee
ballot.
32
(2)
The
absentee
ballot
shall
be
enclosed
in
an
unsealed
33
return
envelope
marked
with
a
serial
number
and
affidavit
34
and
marked
postage
paid.
The
absentee
ballot
and
return
35
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envelope
shall
be
enclosed
in
a
second
envelope
to
be
sent
1
to
the
registered
voter.
If
the
ballot
cannot
be
folded
so
2
that
all
of
the
votes
cast
on
the
ballot
will
be
hidden,
the
3
commissioner
shall
also
enclose
a
secrecy
envelope
with
the
4
absentee
ballot.
5
b.
The
affidavit
shall
be
marked
on
the
appropriate
envelope
6
in
a
form
prescribed
by
the
state
commissioner
of
elections
7
registered
voter
requesting
and
receiving
an
absentee
ballot
8
shall
subscribe
to
the
affidavit
by
signing
and
marking
the
9
registered
voter’s
voter
verification
number
on
the
affidavit
10
envelope
.
11
Sec.
4.
Section
53.10,
subsection
2,
paragraph
a,
Code
2026,
12
is
amended
to
read
as
follows:
13
a.
Each
person
who
wishes
to
vote
by
absentee
ballot
at
14
the
commissioner’s
office
shall
first
sign
an
application
15
for
a
ballot
including
the
following
information:
name,
16
current
address,
voter
verification
number,
and
the
election
17
for
which
the
ballot
is
requested.
The
person
may
report
a
18
change
of
address
or
other
information
on
the
person’s
voter
19
registration
record
at
that
time.
Prior
to
furnishing
a
20
ballot,
the
commissioner
shall
verify
the
person’s
identity
21
as
provided
in
section
49.78
.
The
registered
voter
shall
22
immediately
mark
the
ballot;
enclose
the
ballot
in
a
secrecy
23
envelope,
if
necessary,
and
seal
it
the
ballot
in
the
envelope
24
marked
with
the
affidavit
envelope
;
subscribe
to
the
affidavit
25
on
the
reverse
side
of
the
envelope
by
signing
and
marking
the
26
registered
voter’s
voter
verification
number
;
and
return
the
27
sealed
affidavit
envelope
containing
the
absentee
ballot
to
28
the
commissioner.
The
commissioner
shall
record
the
numbers
29
appearing
on
the
application
and
affidavit
envelope
along
with
30
the
name
of
the
registered
voter.
31
Sec.
5.
Section
53.12,
Code
2026,
is
amended
by
striking
the
32
section
and
inserting
in
lieu
thereof
the
following:
33
53.12
Duty
of
commissioner.
34
The
commissioner
shall
affix
to
the
application
the
same
35
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serial
number
that
appears
on
the
affidavit
envelope,
return
1
envelope,
and
delivery
envelope.
2
Sec.
6.
Section
53.16,
Code
2026,
is
amended
by
striking
the
3
section
and
inserting
in
lieu
thereof
the
following:
4
53.16
Subscribing
to
affidavit.
5
After
marking
the
ballot,
the
voter
shall
enclose
the
ballot
6
in
a
secrecy
envelope,
if
necessary,
and
seal
the
ballot
in
7
the
affidavit
envelope;
subscribe
to
the
affidavit
by
signing
8
and
marking
the
registered
voter’s
voter
verification
number;
9
place
the
sealed
affidavit
envelope
in
the
return
envelope;
and
10
securely
seal
the
return
envelope.
11
Sec.
7.
Section
53.17,
subsection
1,
unnumbered
paragraph
12
1,
Code
2026,
is
amended
to
read
as
follows:
13
If
the
commissioner
mailed
the
ballot
pursuant
to
section
14
53.8,
subsection
1
,
paragraph
“a”
,
subparagraph
(1),
the
sealed
15
envelope
bearing
the
voter’s
affidavit
and
containing
the
16
absentee
ballot
shall
be
enclosed
in
a
return
envelope
which
17
shall
be
securely
sealed.
If
the
commissioner
mailed
the
18
ballot
pursuant
to
section
53.8,
subsection
1
,
paragraph
“a”
,
19
subparagraph
(2),
the
absentee
ballot
shall
be
enclosed
in
the
20
return
envelope
which
shall
be
securely
sealed.
The
sealed
21
return
envelope
shall
be
returned
to
the
commissioner
by
one
of
22
the
following
methods:
23
Sec.
8.
Section
53.17,
subsection
1,
paragraph
a,
Code
2026,
24
is
amended
to
read
as
follows:
25
a.
The
sealed
return
envelope
may
be
delivered
by
the
26
registered
voter,
by
the
voter’s
designee,
or
by
the
special
27
precinct
election
officials
designated
pursuant
to
section
28
53.22,
subsection
2
,
to
the
commissioner’s
office
no
later
29
than
the
time
the
polls
are
closed
5:00
p.m.
on
the
day
before
30
election
day.
However,
if
delivered
by
the
voter’s
designee,
31
the
envelope
shall
be
delivered
within
seventy-two
hours
of
32
retrieving
it
from
the
voter
or
by
5:00
p.m.
on
the
day
before
33
the
closing
of
the
polls
on
election
day,
whichever
is
earlier.
34
Sec.
9.
Section
53.17,
subsection
1,
paragraph
c,
35
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unnumbered
paragraph
1,
Code
2026,
is
amended
to
read
as
1
follows:
2
The
sealed
return
envelope
may
be
delivered
by
a
person
not
3
prohibited
to
collect
and
deliver
a
completed
ballot
pursuant
4
to
section
53.33
to
a
ballot
drop
box
established
by
the
5
commissioner
no
later
than
the
time
the
polls
are
closed
5:00
6
p.m.
on
the
day
before
election
day.
However,
if
delivered
by
7
the
voter’s
designee,
the
envelope
shall
be
delivered
within
8
seventy-two
hours
of
retrieving
it
from
the
voter
or
before
the
9
closing
of
the
polls
on
election
day,
whichever
is
earlier.
A
10
commissioner
is
not
required
to
establish
a
ballot
drop
box.
A
11
ballot
drop
box
must
meet
all
of
the
following
requirements:
12
Sec.
10.
Section
53.17,
subsection
2,
Code
2026,
is
amended
13
to
read
as
follows:
14
2.
In
order
for
the
ballot
to
be
counted,
the
return
15
envelope
must
be
received
in
the
commissioner’s
office
by
5:00
16
p.m.
on
the
day
before
the
polls
close
on
election
day.
17
Sec.
11.
Section
53.17,
subsection
4,
paragraph
e,
Code
18
2026,
is
amended
to
read
as
follows:
19
e.
A
statement
that
the
completed
absentee
ballot
will
be
20
delivered
to
the
commissioner’s
office
within
seventy-two
hours
21
of
retrieving
it
from
the
voter
or
before
the
closing
of
by
22
5:00
p.m.
on
the
polls
on
day
before
election
day,
whichever
23
is
earlier.
24
Sec.
12.
Section
53.17A,
subsection
3,
Code
2026,
is
amended
25
to
read
as
follows:
26
3.
a.
An
absentee
ballot
received
after
the
polls
close
27
on
election
day
but
prior
to
the
official
canvass
shall
be
28
counted
if
the
commissioner
determines
that
the
ballot
entered
29
the
federal
mail
system
by
the
deadline
specified
in
section
30
53.17
or
53.22
.
The
date
of
entry
of
such
an
absentee
ballot
31
into
the
federal
mail
system
shall
only
be
verified
as
provided
32
in
paragraph
“b”
5:00
p.m.
on
the
day
before
election
day
shall
33
not
be
counted
.
34
b.
(1)
If
the
postmark
indicates
that
the
absentee
ballot
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entered
the
federal
mail
system
by
the
deadline
specified
1
in
section
53.17
or
53.22
,
the
ballot
shall
be
included
for
2
canvass
by
the
absentee
and
special
voters
precinct
board.
3
(2)
If
the
postmark
is
illegible,
missing,
or
dated
on
or
4
after
election
day,
the
commissioner
shall
attempt
to
verify
5
the
ballot’s
date
of
entry
into
the
federal
mail
system
by
6
querying
the
postal
service
barcode
in
the
tracking
information
7
database.
If
the
tracking
information
database
indicates
that
8
the
absentee
ballot
entered
the
federal
mail
system
by
the
9
deadline
specified
in
section
53.17
or
53.22
,
the
ballot
shall
10
be
included
for
canvass
by
the
absentee
and
special
voters
11
precinct
board.
The
commissioner
shall
provide
a
report
to
12
the
absentee
and
special
voters
precinct
board
regarding
the
13
information
available
in
the
tracking
information
database.
14
(3)
If
there
is
a
discrepancy
between
the
date
indicated
by
15
the
postmark
and
the
postal
service
barcode,
the
earlier
of
the
16
two
shall
determine
the
date
of
entry
of
the
absentee
ballot
17
into
the
federal
mail
system.
18
(4)
(a)
If
neither
the
postmark
nor
the
postal
service
19
barcode
indicates
that
the
absentee
ballot
entered
the
federal
20
mail
system
by
the
deadline
specified
in
section
53.17
or
21
53.22
,
the
absentee
ballot
shall
be
sent
to
the
absentee
22
and
special
voters
precinct
board
pursuant
to
subparagraph
23
division
(b)
with
the
numeric
value
assigned
to
the
postal
24
service
barcode
and
a
full
report
from
the
tracking
information
25
database.
26
(b)
Up
to
five
absentee
and
special
voters
precinct
board
27
members
from
each
political
party
for
partisan
elections,
28
or
any
two
members
of
the
board
for
nonpartisan
elections,
29
shall
review
the
postal
service
barcode
and
tracking
database
30
information
report
of
each
absentee
ballot
submitted
pursuant
31
to
subparagraph
division
(a)
and
certify
that
the
tracking
32
information
database
report
corresponds
to
the
absentee
ballot
33
by
initialing
the
report
and
the
absentee
ballot
envelope.
34
If
the
board
concludes
that
the
postal
service
barcode
and
35
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tracking
information
database
report
verify
that
the
absentee
1
ballot
entered
the
federal
mail
system
by
the
deadline
2
specified
in
section
53.17
or
53.22
,
the
ballot
shall
be
3
counted.
Otherwise,
the
ballot
shall
not
be
counted.
4
Sec.
13.
Section
53.18,
subsections
2
and
3,
Code
2026,
are
5
amended
to
read
as
follows:
6
2.
If
the
commissioner
receives
the
return
envelope
7
containing
the
completed
absentee
ballot
by
5:00
p.m.
on
the
8
Saturday
before
the
election
for
general
elections
and
by
5:00
9
p.m.
on
the
Friday
before
the
election
for
all
other
elections,
10
the
commissioner
shall
review
the
affidavit
marked
on
the
11
return
envelope,
if
applicable,
for
completeness
or
shall
open
12
the
return
envelope
to
review
the
affidavit
for
completeness
13
open
the
return
envelope,
if
applicable,
and
review
the
14
affidavit
marked
on
the
affidavit
envelope
for
completeness
.
15
If
the
affidavit
lacks
the
signature
or
voter
verification
16
number
of
the
registered
voter,
the
commissioner
shall,
within
17
twenty-four
hours
of
the
receipt
of
the
envelope,
notify
the
18
voter
of
the
deficiency
and
inform
the
voter
that
the
voter
may
19
vote
a
replacement
ballot
as
provided
in
subsection
3
,
cast
a
20
ballot
as
provided
in
section
53.19,
subsection
3
,
or
complete
21
the
affidavit
in
person
at
the
office
of
the
commissioner
not
22
later
than
the
time
polls
close
on
election
day.
23
3.
If
the
affidavit
envelope
or
the
return
envelope
marked
24
with
the
affidavit
contains
a
defect
that
would
cause
the
25
absentee
ballot
to
be
rejected
by
the
absentee
and
special
26
voters
precinct
board,
the
commissioner
shall
immediately
27
notify
the
voter
of
that
fact
and
that
the
voter’s
absentee
28
ballot
shall
not
be
counted
unless
the
voter
requests
and
29
returns
a
replacement
ballot
in
the
time
permitted
under
30
section
53.17,
subsection
2
.
For
the
purposes
of
this
section
,
31
a
return
an
affidavit
envelope
marked
with
the
affidavit
32
shall
be
considered
to
contain
a
defect
if
it
appears
to
33
the
commissioner
that
the
signature
on
the
envelope
has
34
been
signed
by
someone
other
than
the
registered
voter,
in
35
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2165
comparing
the
signature
on
the
envelope
to
the
signature
on
1
record
of
the
registered
voter
named
on
the
envelope
,
or
if
2
the
voter
verification
number
provided
does
not
match
the
3
voter
verification
number
associated
with
the
voter’s
voter
4
registration
.
A
signature
or
marking
made
in
accordance
5
with
section
39.3,
subsection
17
,
shall
not
be
considered
a
6
defect
for
purposes
of
this
section
.
The
voter
may
request
7
a
replacement
ballot
in
person,
in
writing,
or
over
the
8
telephone.
The
same
serial
number
that
was
assigned
to
the
9
records
of
the
original
absentee
ballot
application
shall
be
10
used
on
the
envelope
envelopes
and
records
of
the
replacement
11
ballot.
The
affidavit
envelope
marked
with
the
affidavit
and
12
containing
the
completed
replacement
ballot
shall
be
marked
13
“Replacement
ballot”.
The
affidavit
envelope
marked
with
the
14
affidavit
and
containing
the
original
ballot
shall
be
marked
15
“Defective”
and
the
“Defective”.
The
replacement
ballot
shall
16
be
attached
to
such
the
affidavit
envelope
containing
the
17
original
ballot
and
shall
be
stored
in
a
secure
place
until
18
they
are
delivered
to
the
absentee
and
special
voters
precinct
19
board,
notwithstanding
sections
53.26
and
53.27
.
20
Sec.
14.
Section
53.21,
subsection
2,
paragraph
b,
Code
21
2026,
is
amended
to
read
as
follows:
22
b.
The
voter
shall
enclose
one
copy
of
the
above
statement
23
in
the
return
envelope
along
with
the
affidavit
envelope,
if
24
the
voter
was
mailed
a
separate
affidavit
envelope,
and
shall
25
retain
a
copy
for
the
voter’s
records.
26
Sec.
15.
Section
53.22,
subsection
6,
paragraph
b,
Code
27
2026,
is
amended
to
read
as
follows:
28
b.
Absentee
ballots
voted
under
this
subsection
shall
be
29
delivered
to
the
commissioner
no
later
than
the
time
the
polls
30
are
closed
on
election
day.
If
the
ballot
is
returned
by
mail
,
31
the
return
envelope
must
be
received
by
the
time
the
polls
32
close,
or
be
clearly
postmarked
by
an
officially
authorized
33
postal
service
or
bear
a
postal
service
barcode
traceable
to
a
34
date
of
entry
into
the
federal
mail
system
not
later
than
the
35
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day
before
the
election,
as
provided
in
section
53.17A
,
and
1
received
by
the
commissioner
no
later
than
the
time
established
2
for
the
canvass
by
the
board
of
supervisors
for
that
election
3
5:00
p.m.
on
the
day
before
election
day
.
4
Sec.
16.
Section
53.23,
subsection
3,
paragraph
b,
5
subparagraph
(1),
Code
2026,
is
amended
to
read
as
follows:
6
(1)
The
commissioner
may
direct
the
board
to
meet
on
the
day
7
before
the
election
for
the
purpose
of
reviewing
the
absentee
8
voters’
affidavits
appearing
on
the
sealed
envelopes.
If
in
9
the
commissioner’s
judgment
this
procedure
is
necessary
due
10
to
the
number
of
absentee
ballots
received,
the
members
of
11
the
board
may
open
the
sealed
affidavit
envelopes
and
remove
12
the
secrecy
envelope
containing
the
ballot,
but
under
no
13
circumstances
shall
a
secrecy
envelope
or
a
return
an
affidavit
14
envelope
marked
with
an
affidavit
be
opened
before
the
board
15
convenes
on
election
day,
except
as
provided
in
paragraph
16
“c”
.
If
the
affidavit
envelopes
are
opened
before
election
17
day
pursuant
to
this
paragraph
“b”
,
the
observers
appointed
18
by
each
political
party,
as
defined
in
section
43.2
,
shall
19
witness
the
proceedings.
Each
political
party
may
appoint
up
20
to
five
observers
under
this
paragraph
“b”
.
The
observers
21
shall
be
appointed
by
the
county
chairperson
or,
if
the
22
county
chairperson
fails
to
make
an
appointment,
by
the
state
23
chairperson.
However,
if
either
or
both
political
parties
fail
24
to
appoint
an
observer,
the
commissioner
may
continue
with
the
25
proceedings.
26
Sec.
17.
Section
53.23,
subsection
5,
Code
2026,
is
amended
27
to
read
as
follows:
28
5.
The
special
precinct
election
board
shall
preserve
the
29
secrecy
of
all
absentee
and
provisional
ballots.
After
the
30
affidavits
on
the
affidavit
envelopes
have
been
reviewed
and
31
the
qualifications
of
the
persons
casting
the
ballots
have
been
32
determined,
those
that
have
been
accepted
for
counting
shall
33
be
opened.
The
ballots
shall
be
removed
from
the
affidavit
34
envelopes
or
return
envelopes
marked
with
the
affidavit,
as
35
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applicable,
without
being
unfolded
or
examined,
and
then
shall
1
be
thoroughly
intermingled,
after
which
they
shall
be
unfolded
2
and
tabulated.
If
secrecy
folders
or
envelopes
are
used
with
3
provisional
paper
ballots,
the
ballots
shall
be
removed
from
4
the
secrecy
folders
envelopes
after
the
ballots
have
been
5
intermingled.
6
Sec.
18.
Section
53.25,
subsection
1,
paragraph
a,
Code
7
2026,
is
amended
to
read
as
follows:
8
a.
If
the
absentee
voter’s
affidavit
lacks
the
voter’s
9
signature
or
voter
verification
number
,
if
the
applicant
is
10
not
a
duly
registered
voter
on
election
day
in
the
precinct
11
where
the
absentee
ballot
was
cast,
if
the
affidavit
envelope
12
marked
with
the
affidavit
contains
more
than
one
ballot
of
any
13
one
kind,
or
if
the
voter
has
voted
in
person,
such
vote
shall
14
be
rejected
by
the
absentee
and
special
voters
precinct
board.
15
If
the
affidavit
envelope
or
return
envelope
marked
with
the
16
affidavit
is
open,
or
has
been
opened
and
resealed,
or
if
the
17
ballot
is
not
enclosed
in
such
the
affidavit
envelope,
and
an
18
affidavit
envelope
or
return
envelope
marked
with
the
affidavit
19
with
the
same
serial
number
and
marked
“Replacement
ballot”
is
20
not
attached
as
provided
in
section
53.18
,
the
ballot
shall
be
21
rejected
by
the
absentee
and
special
voters
precinct
board.
22
Sec.
19.
Section
53.25,
subsection
2,
Code
2026,
is
amended
23
to
read
as
follows:
24
2.
If
the
absentee
or
provisional
ballot
is
rejected
prior
25
to
the
opening
of
the
affidavit
envelope
or
return
envelope
26
marked
with
the
affidavit
,
the
voter
casting
the
ballot
shall
27
be
notified
by
a
precinct
election
official
by
the
time
the
28
canvass
is
completed
of
the
reason
for
the
rejection
on
a
form
29
prescribed
by
the
state
commissioner
of
elections.
30
Sec.
20.
Section
53.30,
subsection
2,
Code
2026,
is
amended
31
to
read
as
follows:
32
2.
At
the
conclusion
of
each
meeting
of
the
absentee
and
33
special
voters
precinct
board,
the
board
shall
securely
seal
34
all
ballots
counted
by
them
in
the
manner
prescribed
in
section
35
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50.12
.
The
ballot
envelopes,
including
the
affidavit
envelope
1
if
an
affidavit
envelope
was
provided
,
the
return
envelope,
and
2
secrecy
envelope
bearing
the
signatures
of
precinct
election
3
officials,
as
required
by
section
53.23
,
shall
be
preserved.
4
All
applications
for
absentee
ballots,
ballots
rejected
without
5
being
opened,
absentee
ballot
logs,
and
any
other
documents
6
pertaining
to
the
absentee
ballot
process
shall
be
preserved
7
until
such
time
as
the
documents
may
be
destroyed
pursuant
to
8
section
50.19
.
9
Sec.
21.
Section
53.32,
Code
2026,
is
amended
to
read
as
10
follows:
11
53.32
Ballot
of
deceased
voter.
12
When
it
shall
be
made
to
appear
by
due
proof
to
the
precinct
13
election
officials
that
any
elector,
who
has
so
marked
and
14
forwarded
a
ballot,
has
died
before
the
envelope
marked
with
15
the
affidavit
affidavit
envelope
is
opened,
then
the
ballot
of
16
such
deceased
voter
shall
be
endorsed,
“Rejected
because
voter
17
is
dead”,
and
be
returned
to
the
commissioner.
The
casting
18
of
the
ballot
of
a
deceased
voter
shall
not
invalidate
the
19
election.
20
Sec.
22.
Section
53.44,
subsection
2,
Code
2026,
is
amended
21
to
read
as
follows:
22
2.
In
order
for
the
ballot
to
be
counted,
the
return
23
envelope
must
be
received
in
the
commissioner’s
office
before
24
the
polls
close
on
election
day
or
be
clearly
postmarked
by
an
25
officially
authorized
postal
service
or
bear
a
postal
service
26
barcode
traceable
to
a
date
of
entry
into
the
federal
mail
27
system
not
later
than
the
day
before
the
election
,
as
provided
28
in
section
53.17A
,
and
received
by
the
commissioner
not
later
29
than
noon
on
the
Monday
following
the
election.
30
EXPLANATION
31
The
inclusion
of
this
explanation
does
not
constitute
agreement
with
32
the
explanation’s
substance
by
the
members
of
the
general
assembly.
33
This
bill
relates
to
the
casting
of
ballots
by
absent
voters.
34
The
bill
requires
an
absentee
ballot
that
is
mailed
to
a
35
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voter
to
be
enclosed
in
an
unsealed
affidavit
envelope
and
1
with
or
in
an
unsealed
return
envelope,
which
shall
then
be
2
enclosed
in
the
delivery
envelope,
which
shall
not
include
a
3
return
address.
If
the
ballot
cannot
be
folded
so
that
all
4
the
votes
on
the
ballot
will
be
hidden,
the
bill
requires
5
the
commissioner
to
also
send
a
secrecy
envelope.
The
bill
6
requires
a
registered
voter
to
subscribe
to
an
affidavit
on
7
an
affidavit
envelope
by
signing
the
envelope
and
writing
the
8
voter’s
voter
verification
number.
9
The
bill
adds
a
requirement
that
an
affidavit
envelope
be
10
considered
to
contain
a
defect
if
the
voter
verification
number
11
on
the
envelope
does
not
match
the
voter
verification
number
12
on
file
for
the
voter.
13
The
bill
strikes
certain
requirements
regarding
what
14
materials
a
commissioner
shall
include
with
an
absentee
ballot
15
and
instead
requires
a
commissioner
to
put
the
same
serial
16
number
on
the
affidavit,
return,
and
delivery
envelopes.
17
The
bill
requires
all
mailed
absentee
ballots
to
include
an
18
affidavit
envelope.
The
bill
also
requires
the
absentee
and
19
special
voters
precinct
board
to
reject
an
absentee
ballot
20
if
the
affidavit
envelope
does
not
include
the
voter’s
voter
21
verification
number.
22
The
bill
changes
the
timeline
for
the
return
of
absentee
23
ballots.
The
bill
requires
absentee
ballots
to
be
delivered
24
to
the
office
of
the
county
commissioner
of
elections
by
25
5:00
p.m.
on
the
day
before
election
day.
Under
current
26
law,
absentee
ballots
must
be
delivered
to
the
office
of
the
27
county
commissioner
of
elections
not
later
than
the
time
polls
28
close
on
election
day.
This
change
does
not
apply
to
absentee
29
ballots
of
confined
persons
delivered
other
than
by
mail
or
to
30
absentee
ballots
of
members
of
the
U.S.
armed
forces.
31
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