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House
File
91
-
Introduced
HOUSE
FILE
91
BY
GOLDING
A
BILL
FOR
An
Act
relating
to
the
duties
of
the
secretary
of
state,
1
including
the
address
confidentiality
program
and
the
2
conduct
of
elections,
and
including
effective
date
3
provisions.
4
BE
IT
ENACTED
BY
THE
GENERAL
ASSEMBLY
OF
THE
STATE
OF
IOWA:
5
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DIVISION
I
1
ADDRESS
CONFIDENTIALITY
PROGRAM
2
Section
1.
Section
9E.3,
subsection
1,
paragraphs
e
and
f,
3
Code
2025,
are
amended
to
read
as
follows:
4
e.
The
residential
address
of
the
eligible
person,
5
disclosure
of
which
could
lead
to
an
increased
risk
of
domestic
6
abuse,
domestic
abuse
assault,
sexual
abuse,
assault,
stalking,
7
or
human
trafficking.
If
the
eligible
person’s
residential
8
address
is
a
shelter
known
to
the
program,
the
applicant
may
9
provide
the
shelter’s
name
and
other
contact
information
in
10
lieu
of
the
shelter’s
physical
address.
11
f.
If
mail
cannot
be
delivered
to
the
residential
address
of
12
the
eligible
person,
the
address
to
which
mail
can
be
sent
to
13
the
eligible
person.
If
the
eligible
person’s
mailing
address
14
is
a
shelter
known
to
the
program,
the
applicant
may
provide
15
the
shelter’s
name
and
other
contact
information
in
lieu
of
the
16
shelter’s
physical
address.
17
Sec.
2.
Section
9E.4,
subsection
2,
Code
2025,
is
amended
18
to
read
as
follows:
19
2.
The
secretary
shall
cancel
a
program
participant’s
20
certification
if
the
for
any
of
the
following
reasons:
21
a.
The
program
participant’s
application
contains
false
22
information.
23
b.
The
secretary
receives
information
from
a
reliable
source
24
that
the
program
participant
has
died.
25
Sec.
3.
Section
9E.5,
subsection
3,
Code
2025,
is
amended
26
to
read
as
follows:
27
3.
The
secretary
shall
forward
all
mail
sent
to
the
28
designated
address
to
the
program
participant.
At
the
request
29
of
the
program
participant,
the
secretary
may
hold
the
program
30
participant’s
mail
for
up
to
thirty
days.
31
Sec.
4.
EFFECTIVE
DATE.
This
division
of
this
Act,
being
32
deemed
of
immediate
importance,
takes
effect
upon
enactment.
33
DIVISION
II
34
CANDIDATE
ELIGIBILITY
OBJECTIONS
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Sec.
5.
Section
43.18,
subsection
9,
Code
2025,
is
amended
1
to
read
as
follows:
2
9.
A
For
a
candidate
for
an
office
other
than
a
federal
3
office,
a
statement
that
the
candidate
is
aware
that
the
4
candidate
is
disqualified
from
holding
office
if
the
candidate
5
has
been
convicted
of
a
felony
or
other
infamous
crime
and
the
6
candidate’s
rights
have
not
been
restored
by
the
governor
or
by
7
the
president
of
the
United
States.
8
Sec.
6.
Section
43.24,
subsection
1,
Code
2025,
is
amended
9
by
adding
the
following
new
paragraph:
10
NEW
PARAGRAPH
.
c.
Objections
to
the
eligibility
of
a
11
candidate
for
a
federal
office
shall
not
be
sustained
unless
12
the
objection
is
limited
to
the
legal
sufficiency
of
the
13
nomination
petition
or
certificate
of
nomination,
or
to
the
14
residency,
age,
or
citizenship
requirements
as
described
in
the
15
Constitution
of
the
United
States.
16
Sec.
7.
Section
44.3,
subsection
2,
paragraph
i,
Code
2025,
17
is
amended
to
read
as
follows:
18
i.
A
For
a
candidate
for
an
office
other
than
a
federal
19
office,
a
statement
that
the
candidate
is
aware
that
the
20
candidate
is
disqualified
from
holding
office
if
the
candidate
21
has
been
convicted
of
a
felony
or
other
infamous
crime
and
the
22
candidate’s
rights
have
not
been
restored
by
the
governor
or
by
23
the
president
of
the
United
States.
24
Sec.
8.
Section
44.6,
Code
2025,
is
amended
to
read
as
25
follows:
26
44.6
Hearing
before
state
commissioner.
27
Objections
filed
with
the
state
commissioner
shall
be
28
considered
by
the
secretary
of
state
and
auditor
of
state
and
29
attorney
general,
and
a
majority
decision
shall
be
final.
30
However,
if
the
objection
is
to
the
certificate
of
nomination
31
of
one
or
more
of
the
above
named
officers,
the
officer
or
32
officers
objected
to
shall
not
pass
upon
the
objection,
but
33
their
places
shall
be
filled,
respectively,
by
the
treasurer
34
of
state,
the
governor,
and
the
secretary
of
agriculture.
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Objections
relating
to
incorrect
or
incomplete
information
1
for
information
that
is
required
under
section
44.3
shall
be
2
sustained.
Objections
to
the
eligibility
of
a
candidate
for
3
a
federal
office
shall
not
be
sustained
unless
the
objection
4
is
limited
to
the
legal
sufficiency
of
the
nomination
petition
5
or
certificate
of
nomination,
or
to
the
residency,
age,
or
6
citizenship
requirements
as
described
in
the
Constitution
of
7
the
United
States.
8
Sec.
9.
Section
45.3,
subsection
9,
Code
2025,
is
amended
9
to
read
as
follows:
10
9.
A
For
a
candidate
for
an
office
other
than
a
federal
11
office,
a
statement
that
the
candidate
is
aware
that
the
12
candidate
is
disqualified
from
holding
office
if
the
candidate
13
has
been
convicted
of
a
felony
or
other
infamous
crime
and
the
14
candidate’s
rights
have
not
been
restored
by
the
governor
or
by
15
the
president
of
the
United
States.
16
Sec.
10.
Section
54.5,
Code
2025,
is
amended
by
adding
the
17
following
new
subsection:
18
NEW
SUBSECTION
.
5.
An
objection
to
a
nomination
made
under
19
this
section
on
any
grounds
other
than
the
legal
sufficiency
20
of
the
certificate
of
nomination
shall
not
be
sustained.
The
21
certificate
of
nomination
shall
be
presumed
valid.
22
Sec.
11.
EFFECTIVE
DATE.
This
division
of
this
Act,
being
23
deemed
of
immediate
importance,
takes
effect
upon
enactment.
24
DIVISION
III
25
RANKED
CHOICE
VOTING
26
Sec.
12.
Section
49.93,
Code
2025,
is
amended
to
read
as
27
follows:
28
49.93
Number
of
votes
for
each
office.
29
1.
For
an
office
to
which
one
person
is
to
be
elected,
a
30
voter
shall
not
vote
for
more
than
one
candidate.
If
two
or
31
more
persons
are
to
be
elected
to
an
office,
the
voter
shall
32
vote
for
no
more
than
the
number
of
persons
to
be
elected.
If
a
33
person
votes
for
more
than
the
permitted
number
of
candidates,
34
the
vote
for
that
office
shall
not
count.
Valid
votes
cast
on
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the
rest
of
the
ballot
shall
be
counted.
1
2.
a.
An
election
in
this
state
shall
not
be
conducted
2
using
ranked
choice
voting
or
instant
runoff
voting.
3
b.
For
the
purposes
of
this
subsection,
“ranked
choice
4
voting”
or
“instant
runoff
voting”
means
a
method
of
casting
and
5
tabulating
votes
in
which
a
voter
ranks
candidates
in
order
of
6
preference,
tabulation
of
ballots
proceeds
in
rounds
such
that
7
in
each
round
either
a
candidate
is
elected
or
the
candidate
8
receiving
the
fewest
votes
is
defeated,
votes
are
transferred
9
from
elected
or
defeated
candidates
to
a
voter’s
next-ranked
10
candidate
in
order
of
preference,
and
tabulation
ends
when
a
11
candidate
receives
the
majority
of
votes
cast
or
the
number
of
12
candidates
elected
equals
the
number
of
offices
to
be
filled,
13
as
applicable.
14
Sec.
13.
EFFECTIVE
DATE.
This
division
of
this
Act
takes
15
effect
January
1,
2026.
16
DIVISION
IV
17
ABSENT
VOTERS
18
Sec.
14.
Section
39A.4,
subsection
1,
paragraph
c,
19
subparagraphs
(10)
and
(11),
Code
2025,
are
amended
to
read
as
20
follows:
21
(10)
Returning
a
voted
absentee
ballot
by
mail
,
to
a
ballot
22
drop
box,
or
in
person
,
to
the
commissioner’s
office
and
the
23
person
returning
the
ballot
is
a
person
prohibited
to
collect
24
and
deliver
a
completed
ballot
pursuant
to
section
53.33
.
25
(11)
Making
a
false
or
untrue
statement
reporting
that
26
a
voted
absentee
ballot
was
returned
to
the
commissioner’s
27
office,
by
mail
or
in
person,
or
to
a
ballot
drop
box,
by
a
28
person
prohibited
to
collect
and
deliver
a
completed
ballot
29
pursuant
to
section
53.33
.
30
Sec.
15.
NEW
SECTION
.
53.1B
Definitions.
31
For
purposes
of
this
subchapter,
unless
the
context
32
otherwise
requires:
33
1.
“Affidavit
envelope”
means
an
envelope
that
includes
34
a
serial
number
and
bears
on
the
back
an
affidavit
for
a
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registered
voter
to
mark
the
registered
voter’s
signature
and
1
voter
verification
number
in
a
form
prescribed
by
the
state
2
commissioner.
3
2.
“Delivery
envelope”
means
an
envelope
that
bears
on
its
4
face
the
name
and
address
of
the
registered
voter
requesting
an
5
absentee
ballot,
the
words
“county
commissioner
of
elections”,
6
the
address
of
the
commissioner’s
office,
and
the
same
serial
7
number
that
appears
on
the
affidavit
envelope
and
return
8
envelope.
9
3.
“Return
envelope”
means
an
envelope
that
is
addressed
10
to
the
commissioner’s
office,
bears
appropriate
return
postage
11
or
a
postal
permit
guaranteeing
that
the
commissioner
will
pay
12
the
return
postage,
and
includes
the
same
serial
number
as
the
13
affidavit
envelope
and
delivery
envelope.
14
4.
“Secrecy
envelope”
means
an
envelope,
folder,
or
sleeve
15
that
hides
all
votes
on
a
ballot
when
folded.
16
Sec.
16.
Section
53.4,
subsection
1,
paragraph
c,
17
subparagraph
(2),
Code
2025,
is
amended
by
striking
the
18
subparagraph.
19
Sec.
17.
Section
53.8,
subsection
1,
Code
2025,
is
amended
20
to
read
as
follows:
21
1.
a.
Upon
receipt
of
an
application
for
an
absentee
ballot
22
and
immediately
after
the
absentee
ballots
are
printed,
but
23
not
more
than
twenty
twenty-two
days
before
the
election,
the
24
commissioner
shall
mail
an
absentee
ballot
to
the
applicant
25
within
twenty-four
hours,
except
as
otherwise
provided
in
26
subsection
3
.
The
absentee
ballot
shall
be
sent
to
the
27
registered
voter
by
one
of
the
following
methods:
enclosed
28
in
an
unsealed
affidavit
envelope.
The
absentee
ballot
and
29
affidavit
envelope
shall
be
enclosed
in
or
with
an
unsealed
30
return
envelope.
The
absentee
ballot,
affidavit
envelope,
and
31
return
envelope
shall
be
enclosed
in
the
delivery
envelope.
If
32
the
ballot
cannot
be
folded
so
that
all
the
votes
on
the
ballot
33
will
be
hidden,
the
commissioner
shall
also
enclose
a
secrecy
34
envelope
with
the
absentee
ballot.
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(1)
The
absentee
ballot
shall
be
enclosed
in
an
unsealed
1
envelope
marked
with
a
serial
number
and
affidavit.
The
2
absentee
ballot
and
affidavit
envelope
shall
be
enclosed
in
3
or
with
an
unsealed
return
envelope
marked
postage
paid
which
4
bears
the
same
serial
number
as
the
affidavit
envelope.
The
5
absentee
ballot,
affidavit
envelope,
and
return
envelope
shall
6
be
enclosed
in
a
third
envelope
to
be
sent
to
the
registered
7
voter.
If
the
ballot
cannot
be
folded
so
that
all
of
the
votes
8
cast
on
the
ballot
will
be
hidden,
the
commissioner
shall
also
9
enclose
a
secrecy
envelope
with
the
absentee
ballot.
10
(2)
The
absentee
ballot
shall
be
enclosed
in
an
unsealed
11
return
envelope
marked
with
a
serial
number
and
affidavit
12
and
marked
postage
paid.
The
absentee
ballot
and
return
13
envelope
shall
be
enclosed
in
a
second
envelope
to
be
sent
14
to
the
registered
voter.
If
the
ballot
cannot
be
folded
so
15
that
all
of
the
votes
cast
on
the
ballot
will
be
hidden,
the
16
commissioner
shall
also
enclose
a
secrecy
envelope
with
the
17
absentee
ballot.
18
b.
The
affidavit
shall
be
marked
on
the
appropriate
envelope
19
in
a
form
prescribed
by
the
state
commissioner
of
elections
20
registered
voter
requesting
and
receiving
an
absentee
ballot
21
shall
subscribe
to
the
affidavit
by
signing
and
marking
the
22
registered
voter’s
voter
verification
number
on
the
affidavit
23
envelope
.
24
c.
All
domestic
return
envelope
flaps
or
backs
shall
also
25
be
printed
or
stamped
with
a
notice
of
the
deadline
to
return
a
26
completed
absentee
ballot
and
the
manner
to
track
the
status
of
27
the
ballot
in
a
form
prescribed
by
the
state
commissioner.
28
c.
d.
For
envelopes
mailed
at
any
election
other
than
the
29
primary
election,
the
commissioner
shall
not
mark
any
envelope
30
with
any
information
related
to
the
party
affiliation
of
the
31
applicant.
32
Sec.
18.
Section
53.8,
subsection
2,
paragraph
a,
Code
2025,
33
is
amended
to
read
as
follows:
34
a.
The
commissioner
shall
enclose
with
the
absentee
ballot
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a
statement
informing
the
applicant
that
the
sealed
return
1
envelope
may
be
mailed
to
the
commissioner
by
the
registered
2
voter
or
a
person
not
prohibited
to
collect
and
deliver
a
3
completed
ballot
pursuant
to
section
53.33
,
may
be
returned
to
4
a
drop
box
established
by
the
commissioner
pursuant
to
section
5
53.17,
subsection
1
,
by
the
registered
voter
or
a
person
not
6
prohibited
to
collect
and
deliver
a
completed
ballot
pursuant
7
to
section
53.33
,
only
if
the
commissioner
has
established
8
such
a
drop
box,
or
may
be
personally
delivered
to
the
9
commissioner’s
office
by
the
registered
voter
or
a
person
not
10
prohibited
to
collect
and
deliver
a
completed
ballot
pursuant
11
to
section
53.33
.
The
statement
shall
also
inform
the
voter
12
that
the
voter
may
request
that
the
person
not
prohibited
to
13
collect
and
deliver
a
completed
ballot
pursuant
to
section
14
53.33
complete
a
receipt
when
retrieving
the
ballot
from
the
15
voter.
A
blank
receipt
shall
be
enclosed
with
the
absentee
16
ballot.
17
Sec.
19.
Section
53.10,
subsection
2,
paragraph
a,
Code
18
2025,
is
amended
to
read
as
follows:
19
a.
Each
person
who
wishes
to
vote
by
absentee
ballot
at
20
the
commissioner’s
office
shall
first
sign
an
application
for
21
a
ballot
including
the
following
information:
name,
current
22
address,
voter
verification
number,
and
the
election
for
which
23
the
ballot
is
requested.
The
person
may
report
a
change
of
24
address
or
other
information
on
the
person’s
voter
registration
25
record
at
that
time.
Prior
to
furnishing
a
ballot,
the
26
commissioner
shall
verify
the
person’s
identity
as
provided
27
in
section
49.78
.
The
registered
voter
shall
immediately
28
mark
the
ballot;
enclose
the
ballot
in
a
secrecy
envelope,
29
if
necessary,
and
seal
it
the
ballot
in
the
envelope
marked
30
with
the
affidavit
envelope
;
subscribe
to
the
affidavit
on
31
the
reverse
side
of
the
envelope
by
signing
and
marking
the
32
registered
voter’s
voter
verification
number
;
and
return
the
33
sealed
affidavit
envelope
containing
the
absentee
ballot
to
34
the
commissioner.
The
commissioner
shall
record
the
numbers
35
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appearing
on
the
application
and
affidavit
envelope
along
with
1
the
name
of
the
registered
voter.
2
Sec.
20.
Section
53.12,
Code
2025,
is
amended
by
striking
3
the
section
and
inserting
in
lieu
thereof
the
following:
4
53.12
Duty
of
commissioner.
5
The
commissioner
shall
affix
to
the
application
the
same
6
serial
number
that
appears
on
the
affidavit
envelope,
return
7
envelope,
and
delivery
envelope.
8
Sec.
21.
Section
53.16,
Code
2025,
is
amended
by
striking
9
the
section
and
inserting
in
lieu
thereof
the
following:
10
53.16
Subscribing
to
affidavit.
11
After
marking
the
ballot,
the
voter
shall
enclose
the
ballot
12
in
a
secrecy
envelope,
if
necessary,
and
seal
the
ballot
in
13
the
affidavit
envelope;
subscribe
to
the
affidavit
by
signing
14
and
marking
the
registered
voter’s
voter
verification
number;
15
place
the
sealed
affidavit
envelope
in
the
return
envelope;
and
16
securely
seal
the
return
envelope.
17
Sec.
22.
Section
53.17,
subsection
1,
unnumbered
paragraph
18
1,
Code
2025,
is
amended
to
read
as
follows:
19
If
the
commissioner
mailed
the
ballot
pursuant
to
section
20
53.8,
subsection
1
,
paragraph
“a”
,
subparagraph
(1),
the
sealed
21
envelope
bearing
the
voter’s
affidavit
and
containing
the
22
absentee
ballot
shall
be
enclosed
in
a
return
envelope
which
23
shall
be
securely
sealed.
If
the
commissioner
mailed
the
24
ballot
pursuant
to
section
53.8,
subsection
1
,
paragraph
“a”
,
25
subparagraph
(2),
the
absentee
ballot
shall
be
enclosed
in
the
26
return
envelope
which
shall
be
securely
sealed.
The
sealed
27
return
envelope
shall
be
returned
to
the
commissioner
by
one
of
28
the
following
methods:
29
Sec.
23.
Section
53.17,
subsection
1,
paragraph
a,
Code
30
2025,
is
amended
to
read
as
follows:
31
a.
The
sealed
return
envelope
may
be
delivered
by
the
32
registered
voter,
by
the
voter’s
designee,
or
by
the
special
33
precinct
election
officials
designated
pursuant
to
section
34
53.22,
subsection
2
,
to
the
commissioner’s
office
no
later
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than
the
time
the
polls
are
closed
5:00
p.m.
on
the
day
before
1
election
day.
However,
if
delivered
by
the
voter’s
designee,
2
the
envelope
shall
be
delivered
within
seventy-two
hours
of
3
retrieving
it
from
the
voter
or
by
5:00
p.m.
on
the
day
before
4
the
closing
of
the
polls
on
election
day,
whichever
is
earlier.
5
Sec.
24.
Section
53.17,
subsection
1,
paragraph
c,
Code
6
2025,
is
amended
by
striking
the
paragraph.
7
Sec.
25.
Section
53.17,
subsection
2,
Code
2025,
is
amended
8
to
read
as
follows:
9
2.
In
order
for
the
ballot
to
be
counted,
the
return
10
envelope
must
be
received
in
the
commissioner’s
office
by
5:00
11
p.m.
on
the
day
before
the
polls
close
on
election
day
and
12
recorded
as
received
by
the
commissioner
by
11:59
p.m.
on
the
13
day
before
election
day
.
14
Sec.
26.
Section
53.17,
subsection
4,
paragraph
e,
Code
15
2025,
is
amended
to
read
as
follows:
16
e.
A
statement
that
the
completed
absentee
ballot
will
be
17
delivered
to
the
commissioner’s
office
within
seventy-two
hours
18
of
retrieving
it
from
the
voter
or
by
the
close
of
business
19
on
the
day
before
the
closing
of
the
polls
on
election
day,
20
whichever
is
earlier.
21
Sec.
27.
Section
53.17A,
subsection
3,
paragraph
a,
Code
22
2025,
is
amended
to
read
as
follows:
23
a.
An
absentee
ballot
received
after
the
polls
close
24
of
business
on
the
day
before
election
day
but
prior
to
25
the
official
canvass
shall
be
counted
if
the
commissioner
26
determines
that
the
ballot
entered
the
federal
mail
system
by
27
the
deadline
specified
in
section
53.17
or
53.22
.
The
date
of
28
entry
of
such
an
absentee
ballot
into
the
federal
mail
system
29
shall
only
be
verified
as
provided
in
paragraph
“b”
.
30
Sec.
28.
Section
53.18,
subsections
2
and
3,
Code
2025,
are
31
amended
to
read
as
follows:
32
2.
If
the
commissioner
receives
the
return
envelope
33
containing
the
completed
absentee
ballot
by
5:00
p.m.
on
the
34
Saturday
before
the
election
for
general
elections
and
by
5:00
35
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p.m.
on
the
Friday
before
the
election
for
all
other
elections,
1
the
commissioner
shall
review
the
affidavit
marked
on
the
2
return
envelope,
if
applicable,
for
completeness
or
shall
open
3
the
return
envelope
to
review
the
affidavit
for
completeness
4
open
the
return
envelope,
if
applicable,
and
review
the
5
affidavit
marked
on
the
affidavit
envelope
for
completeness
.
6
If
the
affidavit
lacks
the
signature
or
voter
verification
7
number
of
the
registered
voter,
the
commissioner
shall,
within
8
twenty-four
hours
of
the
receipt
of
the
envelope,
notify
the
9
voter
of
the
deficiency
and
inform
the
voter
that
the
voter
may
10
vote
a
replacement
ballot
as
provided
in
subsection
3
,
cast
a
11
ballot
as
provided
in
section
53.19,
subsection
3
,
or
complete
12
the
affidavit
in
person
at
the
office
of
the
commissioner
not
13
later
than
the
time
polls
close
on
election
day.
14
3.
If
the
affidavit
envelope
or
the
return
envelope
marked
15
with
the
affidavit
contains
a
defect
that
would
cause
the
16
absentee
ballot
to
be
rejected
by
the
absentee
and
special
17
voters
precinct
board,
the
commissioner
shall
immediately
18
notify
the
voter
of
that
fact
and
that
the
voter’s
absentee
19
ballot
shall
not
be
counted
unless
the
voter
requests
and
20
returns
a
replacement
ballot
in
the
time
permitted
under
21
section
53.17,
subsection
2
.
For
the
purposes
of
this
section
,
22
a
return
an
affidavit
envelope
marked
with
the
affidavit
23
shall
be
considered
to
contain
a
defect
if
it
appears
to
24
the
commissioner
that
the
signature
on
the
envelope
has
been
25
signed
by
someone
other
than
the
registered
voter,
in
comparing
26
the
signature
on
the
envelope
to
the
signature
on
record
of
27
the
registered
voter
named
on
the
envelope.
A
signature
or
28
marking
made
in
accordance
with
section
39.3,
subsection
29
17
,
shall
not
be
considered
a
defect
for
purposes
of
this
30
section
the
voter
verification
number
provided
does
not
match
31
the
voter
verification
number
associated
with
the
voter’s
32
voter
registration
.
The
voter
may
request
a
replacement
33
ballot
in
person,
in
writing,
or
over
the
telephone.
The
34
same
serial
number
that
was
assigned
to
the
records
of
the
35
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original
absentee
ballot
application
shall
be
used
on
the
1
envelope
envelopes
and
records
of
the
replacement
ballot.
The
2
affidavit
envelope
marked
with
the
affidavit
and
containing
3
the
completed
replacement
ballot
shall
be
marked
“Replacement
4
ballot”.
The
affidavit
envelope
marked
with
the
affidavit
and
5
containing
the
original
ballot
shall
be
marked
“Defective”
and
6
the
“Defective”.
The
replacement
ballot
shall
be
attached
to
7
such
the
affidavit
envelope
containing
the
original
ballot
and
8
shall
be
stored
in
a
secure
place
until
they
are
delivered
to
9
the
absentee
and
special
voters
precinct
board,
notwithstanding
10
sections
53.26
and
53.27
.
11
Sec.
29.
Section
53.19,
subsection
1,
Code
2025,
is
amended
12
to
read
as
follows:
13
1.
The
commissioner
shall
maintain
a
list
of
the
absentee
14
ballots
provided
to
registered
voters,
the
serial
number
15
appearing
on
the
unsealed
envelope,
the
date
the
application
16
for
the
absentee
ballot
was
received,
the
date
the
absentee
17
ballot
was
sent
to
the
registered
voter
requesting
the
absentee
18
ballot,
the
date
the
absentee
ballot
was
received
by
the
19
commissioner,
the
date
the
absentee
ballot
outer
envelope
was
20
opened,
and
whether
the
ballot
was
delivered
by
mail
,
or
in
21
person,
to
a
ballot
drop
box,
or
cast
in
person
at
a
satellite
22
location.
The
information
under
this
subsection
shall
be
23
reported
separately
at
the
same
time
as
the
information
24
reported
under
section
53.30,
subsection
3
.
25
Sec.
30.
Section
53.21,
subsection
2,
paragraph
b,
Code
26
2025,
is
amended
to
read
as
follows:
27
b.
The
voter
shall
enclose
one
copy
of
the
above
statement
28
in
the
return
envelope
along
with
the
affidavit
envelope,
if
29
the
voter
was
mailed
a
separate
affidavit
envelope,
and
shall
30
retain
a
copy
for
the
voter’s
records.
31
Sec.
31.
Section
53.23,
subsection
3,
paragraph
b,
32
subparagraph
(1),
Code
2025,
is
amended
to
read
as
follows:
33
(1)
The
commissioner
may
direct
the
board
to
meet
on
the
day
34
before
the
election
for
the
purpose
of
reviewing
the
absentee
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voters’
affidavits
appearing
on
the
sealed
envelopes.
If
in
1
the
commissioner’s
judgment
this
procedure
is
necessary
due
2
to
the
number
of
absentee
ballots
received,
the
members
of
3
the
board
may
open
the
sealed
affidavit
envelopes
and
remove
4
the
secrecy
envelope
containing
the
ballot,
but
under
no
5
circumstances
shall
a
secrecy
envelope
or
a
return
an
affidavit
6
envelope
marked
with
an
affidavit
be
opened
before
the
board
7
convenes
on
election
day,
except
as
provided
in
paragraph
8
“c”
.
If
the
affidavit
envelopes
are
opened
before
election
9
day
pursuant
to
this
paragraph
“b”
,
the
observers
appointed
10
by
each
political
party,
as
defined
in
section
43.2
,
shall
11
witness
the
proceedings.
Each
political
party
may
appoint
up
12
to
five
observers
under
this
paragraph
“b”
.
The
observers
13
shall
be
appointed
by
the
county
chairperson
or,
if
the
14
county
chairperson
fails
to
make
an
appointment,
by
the
state
15
chairperson.
However,
if
either
or
both
political
parties
fail
16
to
appoint
an
observer,
the
commissioner
may
continue
with
the
17
proceedings.
18
Sec.
32.
Section
53.23,
subsection
5,
Code
2025,
is
amended
19
to
read
as
follows:
20
5.
The
special
precinct
election
board
shall
preserve
the
21
secrecy
of
all
absentee
and
provisional
ballots.
After
the
22
affidavits
on
the
affidavit
envelopes
have
been
reviewed
and
23
the
qualifications
of
the
persons
casting
the
ballots
have
been
24
determined,
those
that
have
been
accepted
for
counting
shall
25
be
opened.
The
ballots
shall
be
removed
from
the
affidavit
26
envelopes
or
return
envelopes
marked
with
the
affidavit,
as
27
applicable,
without
being
unfolded
or
examined,
and
then
shall
28
be
thoroughly
intermingled,
after
which
they
shall
be
unfolded
29
and
tabulated.
If
secrecy
folders
or
envelopes
are
used
with
30
provisional
paper
ballots,
the
ballots
shall
be
removed
from
31
the
secrecy
folders
envelopes
after
the
ballots
have
been
32
intermingled.
33
Sec.
33.
Section
53.25,
subsection
1,
paragraph
a,
Code
34
2025,
is
amended
to
read
as
follows:
35
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a.
If
the
absentee
voter’s
affidavit
lacks
the
voter’s
1
signature
or
voter
verification
number
,
if
the
applicant
is
2
not
a
duly
registered
voter
on
election
day
in
the
precinct
3
where
the
absentee
ballot
was
cast,
if
the
affidavit
envelope
4
marked
with
the
affidavit
contains
more
than
one
ballot
of
any
5
one
kind,
or
if
the
voter
has
voted
in
person,
such
vote
shall
6
be
rejected
by
the
absentee
and
special
voters
precinct
board.
7
If
the
affidavit
envelope
or
return
envelope
marked
with
the
8
affidavit
is
open,
or
has
been
opened
and
resealed,
or
if
the
9
ballot
is
not
enclosed
in
such
the
affidavit
envelope,
and
an
10
affidavit
envelope
or
return
envelope
marked
with
the
affidavit
11
with
the
same
serial
number
and
marked
“Replacement
ballot”
is
12
not
attached
as
provided
in
section
53.18
,
the
ballot
shall
be
13
rejected
by
the
absentee
and
special
voters
precinct
board.
14
Sec.
34.
Section
53.25,
subsection
2,
Code
2025,
is
amended
15
to
read
as
follows:
16
2.
If
the
absentee
or
provisional
ballot
is
rejected
prior
17
to
the
opening
of
the
affidavit
envelope
or
return
envelope
18
marked
with
the
affidavit
,
the
voter
casting
the
ballot
shall
19
be
notified
by
a
precinct
election
official
by
the
time
the
20
canvass
is
completed
of
the
reason
for
the
rejection
on
a
form
21
prescribed
by
the
state
commissioner
of
elections.
22
Sec.
35.
Section
53.30,
subsection
2,
Code
2025,
is
amended
23
to
read
as
follows:
24
2.
At
the
conclusion
of
each
meeting
of
the
absentee
and
25
special
voters
precinct
board,
the
board
shall
securely
seal
26
all
ballots
counted
by
them
in
the
manner
prescribed
in
section
27
50.12
.
The
ballot
envelopes,
including
the
affidavit
envelope
28
if
an
affidavit
envelope
was
provided
,
the
return
envelope,
and
29
secrecy
envelope
bearing
the
signatures
of
precinct
election
30
officials,
as
required
by
section
53.23
,
shall
be
preserved.
31
All
applications
for
absentee
ballots,
ballots
rejected
without
32
being
opened,
absentee
ballot
logs,
and
any
other
documents
33
pertaining
to
the
absentee
ballot
process
shall
be
preserved
34
until
such
time
as
the
documents
may
be
destroyed
pursuant
to
35
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section
50.19
.
1
Sec.
36.
Section
53.32,
Code
2025,
is
amended
to
read
as
2
follows:
3
53.32
Ballot
of
deceased
voter.
4
When
it
shall
be
made
to
appear
by
due
proof
to
the
precinct
5
election
officials
that
any
elector,
who
has
so
marked
and
6
forwarded
a
ballot,
has
died
before
the
envelope
marked
with
7
the
affidavit
envelope
is
opened,
then
the
ballot
of
such
8
deceased
voter
shall
be
endorsed,
“Rejected
because
voter
is
9
dead”,
and
be
returned
to
the
commissioner.
The
casting
of
the
10
ballot
of
a
deceased
voter
shall
not
invalidate
the
election.
11
Sec.
37.
Section
53.33,
subsection
7,
paragraph
a,
Code
12
2025,
is
amended
to
read
as
follows:
13
a.
Deliver
the
completed
absentee
ballot
in
person
to
the
14
commissioner’s
office.
The
delivery
agent
shall
not
deliver
15
the
completed
absentee
ballot
by
mail
or
to
a
ballot
drop
box
.
16
Sec.
38.
EFFECTIVE
DATE.
This
division
of
this
Act
takes
17
effect
January
1,
2026.
18
DIVISION
V
19
PERSONS
PERMITTED
IN
VOTING
BOOTHS
20
Sec.
39.
Section
49.88,
subsection
3,
Code
2025,
is
amended
21
to
read
as
follows:
22
3.
A
person
standing
for
election
on
the
ballot
before
a
23
voter
shall
not
occupy
commits
a
violation
of
this
section
by
24
occupying
the
voting
booth
with
the
voter,
including
to
assist
25
the
voter.
26
Sec.
40.
Section
49.90,
Code
2025,
is
amended
to
read
as
27
follows:
28
49.90
Assisting
voter.
29
1.
Any
voter
who
may
declare
upon
oath
that
the
voter
is
30
blind,
cannot
read
the
English
language,
or
is,
by
reason
of
31
any
physical
disability
other
than
intoxication,
unable
to
cast
32
a
vote
without
assistance,
shall,
upon
request,
be
assisted
by
33
the
two
officers
as
provided
in
section
49.89
,
or
alternatively
34
by
any
other
person
the
voter
may
select
in
casting
the
vote,
35
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except
that
the
voter
shall
not
select
a
person
standing
for
1
election
on
the
ballot.
The
officers,
or
the
person
selected
2
by
the
voter,
shall
cast
the
vote
of
the
voter
requiring
3
assistance,
and
shall
thereafter
give
no
information
regarding
4
the
vote
cast.
If
any
elector
because
of
a
disability
cannot
5
enter
the
building
where
the
polling
place
for
the
elector’s
6
precinct
of
residence
is
located,
the
two
officers
shall
take
7
a
paper
ballot
to
the
vehicle
occupied
by
the
elector
with
8
a
disability
and
allow
the
elector
to
cast
the
ballot
in
9
the
vehicle.
Ballots
cast
by
voters
with
disabilities
shall
10
be
deposited
in
the
regular
ballot
box,
or
inserted
in
the
11
tabulating
device,
and
counted
in
the
usual
manner.
12
2.
A
person
standing
for
election
on
the
ballot
before
a
13
voter
commits
a
violation
of
section
49.88
by
occupying
the
14
voting
booth
with
the
voter.
15
Sec.
41.
EFFECTIVE
DATE.
This
division
of
this
Act
takes
16
effect
January
1,
2026.
17
DIVISION
VI
18
VOTER
REGISTRATION
DATABASE
PILOT
PROGRAM
19
Sec.
42.
NEW
SECTION
.
47.7A
Statewide
voter
registration
20
database
verification
pilot
program.
21
1.
A
statewide
voter
registration
database
verification
22
pilot
program
is
established
within
the
office
of
the
state
23
registrar
as
follows:
24
a.
The
state
registrar
shall
contract
with
a
third-party
25
vendor
to
develop
or
provide
a
program
to
allow
the
state
26
registrar
to
verify
the
status
of
records
in
the
statewide
27
voter
registration
file
and
identify
ineligible
voters
on
an
28
ongoing
basis.
29
b.
During
the
first
quarter
of
the
calendar
year
2026,
30
the
state
registrar
shall
utilize
the
program
developed
or
31
provided
by
the
third-party
vendor
to
verify
the
status
of
32
records
in
the
statewide
voter
registration
file.
The
state
33
registrar
shall
forward
the
results
of
the
analysis
to
each
34
county
commissioner
of
registration
prior
to
the
date
reports
35
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are
required
to
be
submitted
pursuant
to
section
48A.40.
1
c.
The
state
registrar
shall
evaluate
the
efficacy
and
2
cost
of
the
pilot
program
as
compared
to
the
current
method
3
of
verifying
the
list
of
voters
in
the
statewide
voter
4
registration
file.
5
2.
This
section
is
repealed
December
31,
2028.
6
DIVISION
VII
7
COUNTY
HOSPITAL
BOARD
OF
TRUSTEES
8
Sec.
43.
Section
347.9,
subsection
3,
Code
2025,
is
amended
9
by
striking
the
subsection.
10
Sec.
44.
TRANSITION.
This
division
of
this
Act
does
not
11
alter
the
term
of
office
of
a
trustee
elected
to
a
county
12
public
hospital
board
of
trustees
prior
to
the
effective
date
13
of
this
division
of
this
Act.
14
Sec.
45.
EFFECTIVE
DATE.
This
division
of
this
Act
takes
15
effect
January
1,
2026.
16
EXPLANATION
17
The
inclusion
of
this
explanation
does
not
constitute
agreement
with
18
the
explanation’s
substance
by
the
members
of
the
general
assembly.
19
This
bill
relates
to
duties
of
the
secretary
of
state,
20
including
the
address
confidentiality
program
and
the
conduct
21
of
elections.
The
bill
is
organized
in
divisions.
22
DIVISION
I
——
ADDRESS
CONFIDENTIALITY
PROGRAM.
This
23
division
relates
to
the
address
confidentiality
program,
which
24
provides
mail
forwarding
services
to
persons
who
are
victims
of
25
domestic
abuse,
domestic
abuse
assault,
sexual
abuse,
assault,
26
stalking,
or
human
trafficking,
or
who
fear
for
their
own
27
safety
or
the
safety
of
a
household
member.
The
bill
allows
28
the
secretary
of
state
to
accept
as
a
program
participant’s
29
mailing
address
the
name
and
other
contact
information
of
30
a
shelter
in
lieu
of
the
shelter’s
physical
address,
to
31
cancel
a
deceased
participant’s
certification,
and
to
hold
a
32
participant’s
mail
for
up
to
30
days
at
the
request
of
the
33
participant.
34
This
division
takes
effect
upon
enactment.
35
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DIVISION
II
——
CANDIDATE
ELIGIBILITY
OBJECTIONS.
This
1
division
relates
to
the
nomination
of
candidates
for
federal
2
office.
The
bill
exempts
candidates
for
federal
office
from
3
the
requirement
that
a
candidate
sign
a
statement
that
the
4
candidate
is
aware
that
the
candidate
is
disqualified
from
5
holding
office
if
the
candidate
has
been
convicted
of
a
felony
6
or
other
infamous
crime
and
the
candidate’s
rights
have
not
7
been
restored
by
the
governor
or
by
the
president
of
the
United
8
States.
The
bill
limits
objections
to
the
eligibility
of
a
9
candidate
for
a
federal
office
that
may
be
filed
with
the
10
state
commissioner
of
elections
to
objections
to
the
legal
11
sufficiency
of
the
nomination
petition
or
certificate
of
12
election,
or
to
the
residency,
age,
or
citizenship
requirements
13
as
described
in
the
United
States
Constitution.
With
14
respect
to
nominations
for
president
or
vice
president
of
the
15
United
States,
the
bill
allows
objections
only
to
the
legal
16
sufficiency
of
the
certificate
of
nomination.
The
certificate
17
of
nomination
shall
be
presumed
valid.
18
This
division
takes
effect
upon
enactment.
19
DIVISION
III
——
RANKED
CHOICE
VOTING.
This
division
relates
20
to
the
use
of
ranked
choice
and
instant
runoff
voting
for
21
elections
in
this
state.
The
bill
prohibits
ranked
choice
and
22
instant
runoff
voting,
defined
in
the
bill
as
a
system
in
which
23
voters
rank
multiple
candidates
for
a
single
office
in
order
of
24
preference
and
candidates
are
eliminated
and
votes
transferred
25
between
candidates
in
a
series
of
rounds,
from
being
used
to
26
cast
or
tabulate
ballots
in
any
election
in
this
state.
27
This
division
takes
effect
January
1,
2026.
28
DIVISION
IV
——
ABSENT
VOTERS.
This
division
relates
to
29
the
casting
of
ballots
by
absent
voters.
The
bill
strikes
30
provisions
allowing
a
county
commissioner
of
elections
to
31
establish
drop
boxes
to
which
a
person
can
return
an
absentee
32
ballot.
33
The
bill
requires
an
absentee
ballot
that
is
mailed
to
a
34
voter
to
be
enclosed
in
an
unsealed
affidavit
envelope
and
with
35
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or
in
an
unsealed
return
envelope,
which
shall
then
be
enclosed
1
in
the
delivery
envelope.
If
the
ballot
cannot
be
folded
so
2
that
all
the
votes
on
the
ballot
will
be
hidden,
the
bill
3
requires
the
commissioner
to
also
send
a
secrecy
envelope.
The
4
bill
requires
a
registered
voter
to
subscribe
to
an
affidavit
5
on
an
affidavit
envelope
by
signing
the
envelope
and
writing
6
the
voter’s
voter
verification
number.
The
bill
also
requires
7
return
envelopes
to
have
printed
on
them
the
deadline
to
return
8
the
ballot
and
the
manner
to
track
the
status
of
the
ballot.
9
The
bill
strikes
a
requirement
that
an
affidavit
envelope
10
be
considered
to
contain
a
defect
if
it
appears
to
the
county
11
commissioner
of
elections
that
it
was
signed
by
a
person
other
12
than
the
voter.
The
bill
adds
a
requirement
that
an
affidavit
13
envelope
be
considered
to
contain
a
defect
if
the
voter
14
verification
number
on
the
envelope
does
not
match
the
voter
15
verification
number
on
file
for
the
voter.
16
The
bill
strikes
certain
requirements
regarding
what
17
materials
a
commissioner
shall
include
with
an
absentee
ballot
18
and
instead
requires
a
commissioner
to
put
the
same
serial
19
number
on
the
affidavit,
return,
and
delivery
envelopes.
20
The
bill
requires
all
mailed
absentee
ballots
to
include
an
21
affidavit
envelope.
The
bill
also
requires
the
absentee
and
22
special
voters
precinct
board
to
reject
an
absentee
ballot
23
if
the
affidavit
envelope
does
not
include
the
voter’s
voter
24
verification
number.
25
The
bill
changes
the
timeline
for
the
mailing
and
return
26
of
absentee
ballots.
The
bill
allows
a
county
commissioner
27
of
elections
to
mail
absentee
ballots
to
voters
beginning
22
28
days
before
an
election
and
requires
absentee
ballots
to
be
29
delivered
to
the
office
of
the
county
commissioner
of
elections
30
by
5:00
p.m.
on
the
day
before
election
day.
The
bill
also
31
requires
the
county
commissioner
of
elections
to
record
32
the
ballot
as
received
by
11:59
p.m.
on
the
day
before
the
33
election.
Under
current
law,
county
commissioners
of
elections
34
may
mail
absentee
ballots
beginning
20
days
before
an
election
35
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and
absentee
ballots
must
be
delivered
to
the
office
of
the
1
county
commissioner
of
elections
not
later
than
the
time
polls
2
close
on
election
day.
3
This
division
takes
effect
January
1,
2026.
4
DIVISION
V
——
PERSONS
PERMITTED
IN
VOTING
BOOTHS.
This
5
division
amends
the
subsection
of
Code
section
49.88
6
(limitation
on
persons
in
booth
and
time
for
voting)
7
prohibiting
a
person
standing
for
election
on
the
ballot
before
8
a
voter
from
occupying
the
voting
booth
with
the
voter
and
9
Code
section
49.90
(assisting
voter)
to
say
that
the
candidate
10
violates
Code
section
49.88
by
occupying
the
voting
booth
with
11
the
voter.
12
This
division
takes
effect
January
1,
2026.
13
DIVISION
VI
——
VOTER
REGISTRATION
DATABASE
PILOT
PROGRAM.
14
This
division
requires
the
state
registrar
of
voters
to
15
contract
with
a
third-party
vendor
to
develop
or
provide
a
16
program
to
allow
the
state
registrar
to
verify
the
status
of
17
records
in
the
statewide
voter
registration
file
and
identify
18
ineligible
voters
on
an
ongoing
basis.
During
the
first
19
quarter
of
2026,
the
bill
requires
the
state
registrar
of
20
voters
to
utilize
the
program
developed
or
provided
by
the
21
third-party
vendor
to
verify
the
status
of
records
in
the
22
statewide
voter
registration
file.
The
state
registrar
shall
23
forward
the
results
of
the
analysis
to
each
county
commissioner
24
of
registration
prior
to
the
date
that
county
commissioners
25
of
registration
are
required
to
submit
voter
list
maintenance
26
reports.
The
bill
requires
the
state
registrar
of
voters
to
27
evaluate
the
efficacy
and
cost
of
the
pilot
program
as
compared
28
to
the
current
method
of
maintaining
the
statewide
voter
29
registration
database.
The
pilot
program
is
repealed
effective
30
December
31,
2028.
31
DIVISION
VII
——
COUNTY
HOSPITAL
BOARD
OF
TRUSTEES.
This
32
division
strikes
a
provision
setting
the
term
length
for
33
persons
elected
to
a
county
hospital
board
of
trustees
in
a
34
county
with
a
population
of
at
least
400,000
to
six
years,
35
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19/
20
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91
returning
the
term
length
to
four
years.
The
bill
does
not
1
affect
the
term
of
office
of
a
trustee
elected
to
a
county
2
public
hospital
board
of
trustees
prior
to
January
1,
2026.
3
This
division
takes
effect
January
1,
2026.
4
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(2)
91
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20/
20