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STATE OF IOWA
KIM REYNOLDS
GOVERNOR
June 2, 2025
The Honorable Paul Pate
Secretary of State of Iowa
State Capitol
Des Moines, Iowa 50319
Dear Mr. Secretary,
I hereby transmit:
House File 954, an Act relating to the conduct of elections, and including effective date
and retroactive applicability provisions.
The above House File is hereby approved on this date.
Sincerely,
014A Kim'Reynolds
Governor of Iowa
STATE CAPITOL DES MOINES, IOWA 50319 515.281.5211 WWW.GOVERNOR.IOWA.GOV
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House File 954
AN ACT
RELATING TO THE CONDUCT OF ELECTIONS, AND INCLUDING EFFECTIVE
DATE AND RETROACTIVE APPLICABILITY PROVISIONS.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:
DIVISION I
ADMINISTRATION OF ELECTIONS
Section 1. Section 9E.6, subsection 3, paragraph b,
subparagraph ( 1), Code 2025, is amended to read as follows:
( 1) The state commissioner of elections shall, upon
the written request of a party to the contest, certify the
eligibility of a program participant to vote or the validity
of a program participant's absentee ballot. A written request
submitted under this paragraph - b - must contain the votcr
voter's four- digit personal identification number affixed to
the program participant's absentee ballot.
Sec. 2. Section 39.2, subsection 1, paragraph a, Code 2025,
is amended to read as follows:
a. All special elections which are authorized or required
by law, unless the applicable law otherwise requires, shall
be held on Tuesday. A special election shall not be held on
House File 954, p. 2
the first, second, third, and fourth Tuesdays preceding and
following the primary and the general elections or on the
first, second, and third Tuesdays preceding and following a
city or school election.
Sec. 3. Section 43.18, subsection 9, Code 2025, is amended
to read as follows:
9. A statement that the candidate is aware that the
candidate is disqualified from holding office if the candidate
has been convicted of a felony or other infamous crime and
the candidate's rights have not been restored by the governor
or by the president of the United States. This subsection
does not apply to candidates for federal office. The state
commissioner shall prescribe a separate affidavit of candidacy
for candidates for federal office.
Sec. 4. Section 43.67, subsection 2, paragraph i, Code 2025,
is amended to read as follows:
i. A statement that the candidate is aware that the
candidate is disqualified from holding office if the candidate
has been convicted of a felony or other infamous crime and
the candidate's rights have not been restored by the governor
or by the president of the United States. This paragraph
does not apply to candidates for federal office. The state
commissioner shall prescribe a separate affidavit of candidacy
for candidates for federal office.
Sec. 5. Section 44.3, subsection 2, paragraph i, Code 2025,
is amended to read as follows:
1. A statement that the candidate is aware that the
candidate is disqualified from holding office if the candidate
has been convicted of a felony or other infamous crime and
the candidate's rights have not been restored by the governor
or by the president of the United States. This paragraph
does not apply to candidates for federal office. The state
commissioner shall prescribe a separate affidavit of candidacy
for candidates for federal office.
Sec. 6. Section 45.3, subsection 9, Code 2025, is amended
to read as follows:
9. A statement that the candidate is aware that the
candidate is disqualified from holding office if the candidate
House File 954, p. 3
has been convicted of a felony or other infamous crime and
the candidate's rights have not been restored by the governor
or by the president of the United States. This subsection
does not apply to candidates for federal office. The state
commissioner shall prescribe a separate affidavit of candidacy
for candidates for federal office.
Sec. 7. Section 47.1, subsections 1, 6, 7, and 8, Code 2025,
are amended to read as follows:
1. The secretary of state is designated as the state
commissioner of elections and shall supervise the activities of
the county commissioners of elections. There is established
within the office of the secretary of state a division of
elections which shall be under the direction of the state
commissioner of elections. The state commissioner of
elections may appoint a person to be in charge of the division
of elections who shall perform the duties assigned by the
state commissioner of elections. The state commissioner of
elections shall prescribe uniform election practices and
procedures, shall prescribe the necessary forms required
for the conduct of elections, shall assign a number to each
proposed constitutional amendment and statewide public measure
for identification purposes, and shall adopt rules—, pursuant to
chapter 17A r to carry out this section. The state commissioner
of elections may issue guidance and directives that I- a are not
subject to the rulemaking process to clarify election laws and
rules.
6. The state commissioner may, at the state commissioner's
discretion, examine the records of a commissioner to evaluate
complaints and to ensure compliance with the provisions of
chapters 39 through 53. This examination shall include but not
be limited to assessments conducted or authorized by private or
government entities to evaluate a county's security readiness
for elections- related technology or physical facilities. The
state commissioner shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A to
require a commissioner to provide written explanations related
to examinations conducted pursuant to this subsection. Any
information that is requested by or in the possession of the
state commissioner pursuant to this chapter shall not lose its
confidential status pursuant to section 22.7, subsection 50.
House File 954, p. 4
7. The state commissioner may share information a county
provides to an appropriate government agency to safeguard
against cybersecurity or physical threats. A county
commissioner of elections shall notify the state commissioner
when the county commissioner's office is involved in physical
or cybersecurity assessments performed by a federal or state
agency or other entity.
8. The state commissioner may adopt rules pursuant to
chapter 17A to create minimum security protocols applicable
to county commissioners of elections and vendors utilized
by the state commissioner and county commissioners of
elections. If a county fails to adhere to these protocols,
the state commissioner may limit access to the statewide voter
registration system. If a vendor fails to adhere to these
protocols, the state commissioner may limit access to election
infrastructure.
Sec. 8. Section 47.2, subsection 1, Code 2025, is amended
to read as follows:
1. The county auditor of each county is designated as the
county commissioner of elections in each county. The county
commissioner of elections shall conduct voter registration
pursuant to chapter 48A and conduct all elections within the
county. The county commissioner of elections does not possess
home rule powers with respect to the exercise of powers or
duties related to the conduct of elections prescribed by
statute or rule, or guidance or directives issued pursuant to
section 47.1.
Sec. 9. Section 48A.26A, subsection 2, Code 2025, is amended
to read as follows:
2. If the acknowledgment is returned as undeliverable by
the postal service, the commissioner shall attempt to contact
the voter by forwardable mail. If a response is not received
from the voter within fourteen days after the notice is mailed,
the commissioner shall change the status of the registration
to inactive status and shall immediately notify the state
registrar of voters, the county sheriff, and the county
attorney.
Sec. 10. Section 48A.37, subsection 1, Code 2025, is amended
to read as follows:
House File 954, p. 5
1. Voter registration records, including voter registration
forms, shall be maintained in an electronic medium on the
statewide voter registration system. A history of local
election participation shall be maintained as part of the
electronic record for at least two general, primary, school,
and city elections. Absentee voting shall be recorded for
the previous two general and primary elections. After each
election, the county commissioner shall update telephone
numbers provided by registered voters pursuant to section
49.77.
Sec. 11. NEW SECTION. 49.29 Electronic election register
and poll book.
1. The commissioner may use an electronic election register
or election poll book in lieu of a paper register or poll book
if the electronic election register or poll book is a product
that has been certified for use in this state by the state
commissioner.
2. The state commissioner shall adopt rules pursuant to
chapter 17A for certification standards for electronic election
registers and election poll books. The certification standards
must include operational and security standards.
Sec. 12. Section 50.12, Code 2025, is amended to read as
follows:
50.12 Return and preservation of ballots.
Immediately after making the proclamation, and before
separating, the board members of each precinct in which votes
have been received by paper ballot shall enclose in an envelope
or other container all ballots which have been counted by them,
except those endorsed " Rejected as double", " Defective", or
11 Objectedto"", and securely seal the envelope. The signatures
of all board members of the precinct shall be placed across
the seal or the opening of the container so that it cannot
be opened without breaking the seal. The precinct election
officials shall return all the ballots to the commissioner,
who shall carefully preserve them for oix twenty-two months.
Ballots from cicction3 for federal offices shall be preserved
for twenty two months. The sealed packages containing voted
ballots shall be opened only for an official recount authorized
by section 50.48, 50.49, or 50.50, for an election contest
House File 954, p. 6
held pursuant to chapters 57 through 62, to conduct an audit
pursuant to section 50.51, or to destroy the ballots pursuant
to section 50.19.
Sec. 13. Section 50.19, subsection 1, Code 2025, is amended
to read as follows:
1. The commissioner may destroy precinct election
registers, the declarations of eligibility signed by voters,
and other material pertaining to any election in which federal
offices are not on the ballot, except the tally lists and
abstracts of votes which have not been electronically recorded,
six twenty-two months after the election if a contest is not
pending. If a contest is pending, all election materials shall
be preserved until final determination of the contest or until
twenty-two months after the election, whichever is later.
Before destroying the election registers and declarations
of eligibility, the commissioner shall prepare records as
necessary to permit compliance with chapter 48A, subchapter V.
Nomination papers for primary cicction andidatcs for statc and
cicction, if a contc3t i3 not pcnding.
Sec. 14. Section 53.2, subsection 4, paragraph c, Code 2025,
is amended to read as follows:
C. For purposes of this subsection, - voter verification
number - means the registered voter's driver's license number or
nonoperator's identification card number assigned to the voter
by the department of transportation or the registered voter's
four- digit personal identification number assigned to the voter
by the state commissioner pursuant to section 47.7- 48A.10A,
subsection -- 1.
Sec. 15. Section 53.10, subsection 2, paragraph b, Code
2025, is amended to read as follows:
b, For purposes of this subsection, " voter verification
number - means the registered voter's driver's license number or
nonoperator's identification card number assigned to the voter
by the department of transportation or the registered voter's
four- digit personal identification number assigned to the voter
by the state commissioner pursuant to section 47.7 48A.10A,
subsection -- 1.
Sec. 16. Section 53.23, subsection 3, paragraph a, Code
House File 954, p. 7
2025, is amended to read as follows:
a. The commissioner shall set the a convening time for the
board of no later than 9:00 a.m. on election day, allowing a
reasonable amount of time to complete counting all absentee
ballots by 10:00 p.m. on election day.
Sec. 17. Section 54.5, subsection 3, Code 2025, is amended
to read as follows:
3. Each elector nominee and alternate elector nominee
of a political party or group of petitioners shall execute
the following pledge on a form prescribed by the state
commissioner, which shall accompany the submission of the
corresponding names to the state commissioner:
If selected for the position of elector, I agree to serve
and to mark my ballots for president and vice president for
the nominees
petitioners)
Sec. 18.
for those offices of the party ( or group of
that nominated me.
Section 54.5, Code 2025, is amended by adding the
following new subsection:
NEW SUBSECTION. 5. An objection to a nomination made under
this section on any grounds other than the legal sufficiency
of the certificate of nomination shall not be sustained. The
certificate of nomination shall be presumed valid.
Sec. 19. Section 384.19, subsection 1, Code 2025, is amended
to read as follows:
1. Within a period of ten days after the final date that
a budget or amended budget may be certified to the county
auditor, persons
protest with the
to the budget or
affected by the budget may file a written
county auditor specifying their objections
any part of it. A protest must be signed by
registered voters equal in number to one-fourth of one percent
of the votcs cast for govcrnor in t general-
eleetien in the eity, but the number shall net be less than
ten persons and the — nefftber - need- net be—faere than ene hundred
persons population of the city according to the most recent
federal decennial census or special census, whichever is later.
DIVISION II
RANKED CHOICE VOTING
Sec. 20. Section 49.93, Code 2025, is amended to read as
follows:
House File 954, p. 8
49.93 Number of votes for each office.
1. For an office to which one person is to be elected, a
voter shall not vote for more than one candidate. If two or
more persons are to be elected to an office, the voter shall
vote for no more than the number of persons to be elected. If a
person votes for more than the permitted number of candidates,
the vote for that office shall not count. Valid votes cast on
the rest of the ballot shall be counted.
2. a. An election in this state shall not be conducted
using ranked choice voting or instant runoff voting.
b. For the purposes of this section, " ranked choice voting
or " instant runoff voting - means a method of casting and
tabulating votes in which a voter ranks candidates in order of
preference, tabulation of ballots proceeds in rounds such that
in each round either a candidate is elected or the candidate
receiving the fewest votes is defeated, votes are transferred
from elected or defeated candidates to a voter's next- ranked
candidate in order of preference, and tabulation ends when a
candidate receives the majority of votes cast or the number of
candidates elected equals the number of offices to be filled,
as applicable.
Sec. 21. EFFECTIVE DATE. This division of this Act takes
effect January 1, 2026.
DIVISION III
PERSONS PERMITTED IN VOTING BOOTHS
Sec. 22. Section 49.88, subsection 3, Code 2025, is amended
to read as follows:
3. A person standing for election on the ballot before a
voter ohall not occupy commits a violation of this section by
occupying the voting booth with the voter, including to assist
the voter.
Sec. 23. Section 49.90, Code 2025, is amended to read as
follows:
49.90 Assisting voter.
1. Any voter who may declare upon oath that the voter is
blind, cannot read the English language, or is, by reason of
any physical disability other than intoxication, unable to cast
a vote without assistance, shall, upon request, be assisted by
the two officers as provided in section 49.89, or alternatively
House File 954, p. 9
by any other person the voter may select in casting the vote,
except that the voter shall not select a person standing for
election on the ballot. The officers, or the person selected
by the voter, shall cast the vote of the voter requiring
assistance, and shall thereafter give no information regarding
the vote cast. If any elector because of a disability cannot
enter the building where the polling place for the elector's
precinct of residence is located, the two officers shall take
a paper ballot to the vehicle occupied by the elector with
a disability
the vehicle.
be deposited
and allow the elector to cast the ballot in
Ballots cast by voters with disabilities shall
in the regular ballot box, or inserted in the
tabulating device, and counted in the usual manner.
2. A person standing for election on the ballot before a
voter commits a violation of section 49.88 by occupying the
voting booth with the voter.
Sec. 24. EFFECTIVE DATE. This division of this Act takes
effect January 1, 2026.
DIVISION IV
COUNTY HOSPITAL BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Sec. 25. Section 347.9, subsection 3, Code 2025, is amended
by striking the subsection.
Sec. 26. RETROACTIVE APPLICABILITY. This division of
this Act applies retroactively to persons elected to a county
hospital board of trustees on or after January 1, 2024.
DIVISION V
POLITICAL PARTY — DEFINITION
Sec. 27. Section 43.2, subsection 1, paragraph b, Code 2025,
is amended to read as follows:
b. Political party"" shall mean a party which, at the
last three preceding general cicction elections, cast for its
candidate for president of the United States or for governor,
as the case may be, at least two percent of the total vote
cast for all candidates for that office at that cicction
those elections. It shall be the
commissioner to determine whether
be a political party qualifies as
responsibility of the state
any organization claiming to
such under this paragraph.
Sec. 28. Section 43.63, subsection 1, Code 2025, is amended
to read as follows:
House File 954, p. 10
1. Upon receipt of the abstracts of votes from the counties,
the secretary of state shall immediately open the envelopes and
canvass the results for all offices. The secretary of state
shall invite to attend the canvass one representative from each
political party which, at the last three preceding general
cicction elections, cast for its candidate for president of the
United States or for governor, as the case may be, at least
two percent of the total vote cast for all candidates for that
office at that cicction those elections, as determined by the
secretary of state. The secretary of state shall notify the
chairperson of each political party of the time of the canvass.
However, the presence of a representative from a political
party is not necessary for the canvass to proceed.
Sec. 29. Section 50.36, subsection 2, Code 2025, is amended
to read as follows:
2. The secretary of state shall invite to attend the
canvass one representative from each political party which,
at the last three preceding general cicction elections, cast
for its candidate for president of the United States or for
governor, as the case may be, at least two percent of the
total vote cast for all candidates for that office at that
cicction those elections, as determined by the secretary of
state. The secretary of state shall notify the chairperson
of each political party of the time of the canvass. However,
the presence of a representative from a political party is not
necessary for the canvass to proceed.
Sec. 30. Section 68B.2, subsection 13, paragraph b,
subparagraph ( 1), Code 2025, is amended to read as follows:
( 1) Officials and employees of a political party organized
in the state of Iowa representing more than two percent of
the total votes cast for governor in the last three preceding
general cicction elections, but only when representing the
political party in an official capacity.
DIVISION VI
NOMINATION FILING DEADLINES
Sec. 31. Section 44.4, subsection 1, Code 2025, is amended
to read as follows:
1. a-- Nominations made pursuant to this chapter and
chapter 45 which are required to be filed in the office of the
House File 954, p. 11
state commissioner shall be filed in that office not more than
ninety-nine days nor later than 5:00 p.m. on the eighty first
day before the first Tuesday after the first Monday in June
in each even- numbered year. Nominations made for a special
election called pursuant to section 69.14 shall be filed by
5:00 p.m. not less than twenty-five days before the date of an
election called upon at least forty days notice and not less
than fourteen days before the date of an election called upon
at least eighteen days" notice. Nominations made for a special
election called pursuant to section 69.14A shall be filed by
5:00 p.m. not less than twenty-five days before the date of
the election. Nominations made pursuant to this chapter and
chapter 45 which are required to be filed in the office of
the commissioner shall be filed in that office not more than
ninety-two days nor later than 5:00 p.m. on the ocvcnty fourth
day before the first Tuesday after the first Monday in June
in each even- numbered year. Nominations made pursuant to
this chapter or chapter 45 for city office shall be filed not
more than seventy-two days nor later than 5:00 p.m. on the
forty-seventh day before the city election with the county
commissioner of elections responsible under section 47.2 for
conducting elections held for the city, who shall process them
as provided by law.
b. Not%7ith3tanding paragraph " a - , nominations for president
and vice president - ef- he United State3 shall be filed in the
ner later than 5-90 p.fn. en the eighty first day befefe the
date efthe geneareetien-te be held - in-Neoeffiber
Sec. 32. Section 44.4, subsection 2, paragraph a,
subparagraphs ( 1) and ( 2), Code 2025, are amended to read as
follows:
( 1) Those filed with the state commissioner, not less later
than ocvcnty four seven days b-&forc after the first Tuesday
after the first Monday in June in each even- numbered year-,
or for ecrtifi ates of nomination filed under subsection 1,
paragraph b - , not lc33 than seventy-four day3 before the date
of the election.
( 2) Those filed with the commissioner, not lc3s later than
ixty seven seven days before after the first Tuesday after
House File 954, p. 12
the first Monday in June in each even- numbered year, except as
provided in subparagraph ( 3).
Sec. 33. Section 44.9, subsection 1, Code 2025, is amended
to read as follows:
1. In the office of the state commissioner, at least
eighty-one days before the date of the election, or for
withdrawal3 of nomination3 filed under section 44.4, 3ubscction
, '; b - ', at least seventy-six days befere the elate ef
election.
Sec. 34. Section 44.11, Code 2025, is amended to read as
follows:
44.11 Vacancies filled.
If a candidate named under this chapter withdraws or dies
before the deadline established in section 44.9, declines
a nomination, or if a certificate of nomination is held
insufficient or inoperative by the officer with whom it
is required to be filed, or in case any objection made to
a certificate of nomination, or to the eligibility of any
candidate named in the certificate, is sustained by the board
appointed to determine such questions, the vacancy or vacancies
may be filled by the convention, or caucus, or in such manner
as such convention or caucus has previously provided. The
vacancy or vacancies shall be filled not less than seventy-six
days before the election in the case of nominations required
to be filed with the state commissioner or not lc3s than
sever- days fer nefflinatienszd1-cd under section 44.4,
oubncction 1, paragraph " b - , not less than sixty-nine days
before the election in the case of nominations required to
be filed with the commissioner, not less than forty-two days
before the election in the case of nominations required to be
filed in the office of the school board secretary, and not
less than forty-two days before the election in the case of
nominations required to be filed with the commissioner for city
elections.
DIVISION VII
AFFIDAVITS OF CANDIDACY
Sec. 35. Section 43.18, Code 2025, is amended by adding the
following new subsection:
NEW SUBSECTION. 10. A statement that the candidate is aware
House File 954, p. 13
that by filing this affidavit, the candidate is ineligible to
appear on the same ballot for the same office other than as a
candidate for the political party indicated on the affidavit.
Sec. 36. Section 43.67, subsection 2, Code 2025, is amended
by adding the following new paragraph:
NEW PARAGRAPH. j. A statement that the candidate is aware
that by filing this affidavit, the candidate is ineligible to
appear on the same ballot for the same office other than as a
candidate for the political party indicated on the affidavit.
Sec. 37. Section 44.3, subsection 2, Code 2025, is amended
by adding the following new paragraph:
NEW PARAGRAPH. j. A statement that the candidate is aware
that by filing this affidavit, the candidate is ineligible to
appear on the same ballot for the same office other than as a
candidate for the nonparty political organization indicated on
the affidavit.
Sec. 38. Section 45.3, Code 2025, is amended by adding the
following new subsection:
NEW SUBSECTION. 10. A statement that the candidate is aware
that by filing this affidavit, the candidate is ineligible to
appear on the same ballot for the same office other than as a
candidate nominated by petition.
DIVISION VIII
VOTER REGISTRATION
Sec. 39. Section 47.7, subsection 2, Code 2025, is amended
to read as follows:
2. a. On or bcforc January 1, 2006, the The state registrar
of voters shall implement in a uniform and nondiscriminatory
manner, a single, uniform, official, centralized, interactive
computerized statewide voter registration file defined,
maintained, and administered at the state level that contains
the name and registration information of every legally
registered voter in the state and assigns a unique identifier
to each legally registered voter in the state. The state voter
registration system shall be coordinated with other agency
databases within the state, including- r but not limited to- r
state department of transportation driver's license records,
judicial records of convicted felons and persons declared
incompetent to vote, and department of health and human
House File 954, p. 14
services records of deceased persons.
b. On or after January 1, 2007, a A county shall not
establish or maintain a voter registration system separate
from the state voter registration system. Each county shall
provide to the state registrar the names, voter registration
information, and voting history of each registered voter in the
county in the form required by the state registrar.
c. A state or local election official may obtain immediate
electronic access to the information contained in the
computerized voter registration file. All voter registration
information obtained by a local election official shall be
electronically entered into the computerized voter registration
file on an expedited basis at the time the information is
provided to the local election official. The state registrar
shall provide such support as may be required to enable local
election officials to electronically enter the information into
the computerized voter registration file on an expedited basis.
The list generated from the computerized file shall serve as
the official voter registration list for the conduct of all
elections for federal office in the state.
d. The state registrar shall prescribe by rule the
procedures for access to the state voter registration file,
including all of the following:
( 1) Access protocols for adding, changing, or deleting
information from the state voter registration file.
( 2) Training requirements for all state voter registration
file users.
( 3) Technology safeguards, including county information
technology network requirements, necessary to access the state
voter registration file.
( 4) Breach incident response requirements and protocols on
all matters related to elections.
e. The state registrar may rescind access to the statewide
voter registration file from a user who is not in compliance
with the prescribed rules.
f. ( 1) The state registrar shall, in the first quarter
of each calendar year, conduct a verification of all voters
in the statewide voter registration file, which shall
include cross-referencing the records in the statewide voter
House File 954, p. 15
registration file with similar records maintained by other
states. The state registrar of voters shall cancel the
registration of a voter found to be ineligible pursuant to
section 48A.30. The state registrar shall submit a report
to the general assembly by April 30 of each year regarding
the number of voter registrations canceled pursuant to this
paragraph. The state registrar shall also publish this report
on the internet site of the state registrar.
( 2) g. The state registrar may contract with a third- party
vendor, including state and federal government agencies and
private entities, to develop or provide a program to allow
the state registrar to verify the status of records in the
statewide voter registration file and identify ineligible
voters on an ongoing basis.
h. The state registrar may adopt rules pursuant to chapter
17A for the use of federal and other state agency sources of
information. The state registrar and county commissioners
of elections may use those sources of information for voter
registration file maintenance.
i. The department of transportation shall transmit to the
state registrar a list of each person seventeen years of age or
older in the state who has submitted documentation indicating
that the person is not a citizen of the United States.
Sec. 40. Section 48A.10A, subsections 1 and 2, Code 2025,
are amended to read as follows:
1. The state registrar shall compare lists of persons who
are registered to vote with the department of transportation's
driver's license a-ftd files, nonoperator's identification
card files, and noncitizen identification files, and shall,
on an initial basis, issue a voter identification card to
each active, registered voter whose name does not appear
in the department of transportation's files. The voter
identification card shall include the name of the registered
voter, a signature line above which the registered voter shall
sign the voter identification card, the registered voter's
identification number assigned to the voter pursuant to
section 47.7, subsection 2, an additional four- digit personal
identification number assigned by the state commissioner, and
the times during which polling places will be open on election
House File 954, p. 16
days.
2. The commissioner shall issue voter identification cards
on an ongoing basis as prescribed by the state registrar. The
commissioner shall, as a part of the voter acknowledgment
process required under sections 48A.26 and 48A.26A, issue
a voter identification card to a registered voter under
this subsection at the time of registration or update to
registration if the registered voter's name does not appear
in the department of transportation's driver's license, e-r-
nonoperator's identification card, or noncitizen identification
files. A registered voter whose name appears in the department
of transportation's driver's license, e• nonoperator's
identification card, or noncitizen identification files shall
not be issued a voter identification card pursuant to this
section.
Sec. 41. Section 48A.25A, Code 2025, is amended by adding
the following new subsection:
NEW SUBSECTION. 2A. A voter registration record shall be
designated as unconfirmed status if the registrant self- reports
to be a noncitizen on the voter registration form and signs
the portion of the form affirming the person's United States
citizenship.
Sec. 42. Section 48A.30, subsection 1, Code 2025, is amended
by adding the following new paragraph:
NEW PARAGRAPH. h. The registered voter submits
documentation that indicates that the registered voter is not a
citizen of the United States or reports to a state or federal
agency that the registered voter is not a citizen of the United
States.
Sec. 43. Section 48A.30, subsection 2, Code 2025, is amended
to read as follows:
2. When a registration is canceled pursuant to subsection 1,
paragraph d - , - e -, e- r- - g", or h - , the commissioner shall send
a notice of the cancellation to the registered voter.
Sec. 44. Section 48A.37, subsection 2, Code 2025, is amended
to read as follows:
2. Electronic records shall include a status code
designating whether the records are active, inactive,
incomplete, pending, unconfirmed, or canceled.
House File 954, p. 17
a. Inactive records are records of registered voters to
whom notices have been sent pursuant to section 48A.28, and
who have not returned the card or otherwise responded to
the notice, and those records have been designated inactive
pursuant to section 48A.29. Inactive records are also records
of registered voters to whom notices have been sent pursuant
to section 48A.26A and who have not responded to the notice.
Incomplete records are records missing required information
pursuant to section 48A.11, subsection 8. Pending records
are records of applicants whose applications have not been
verified pursuant to section 48A.25A. Unconfirmed records are
records of registered voters about whom the state registrar or
county commissioner has received information from a reliable
source indicating that the registered voter is not qualified.
Canceled records are records that have been canceled pursuant
to section 48A.30. All other records are active records.
b. An inactive record shall be made active when the
registered voter requests an absentee ballot, votes at an
election, registers again, or reports a change of name,
address, telephone number, or political party or organization
affiliation. An incomplete record shall be made active when
a completed application is received from the applicant and
verified pursuant to section 48A.25A. A pending record shall
be made active upon verification or upon the voter providing
identification pursuant to section 48A.8. An unconfirmed
record shall be made active upon the registered voter providing
evidence that the registered voter is qualified.
Sec. 45. Section 49.77, subsection 1, paragraph a, Code
2025, is amended to read as follows:
a. Any person desiring to vote shall sign a voter's
declaration provided by the officials, in substantially the
following form:
VOTERS DECLARATION
OF ELIGIBILITY
I do solemnly swear or affirm that I am a resident of the ....
precinct, .... ward or township, city of , county of
, Iowa. I am a citizen of the United States.
I am a registered voter. I was born on the .... day of ....
( month) .... ( year). I have not voted and will not
House File 954, p. 18
vote in any other precinct in said election.
I understand that any false statement in this declaration is
a criminal offense punishable as provided by law.
Signature of Voter
Address
Telephone ( optional)
Approved:
Board Member
Sec. 46. Section 49.80, subsection 2, paragraph a, Code
2025, is amended by adding the following new subparagraph:
NEW SUBPARAGRAPH. ( 5) The persons citizenship status.
Sec. 47. Section 50.22, subsection 2, Code 2025, is amended
to read as follows:
2. The decision to count or reject each ballot shall be
made upon the basis of the information given on the envelope
containing the provisional ballot, the evidence concerning
the challenge, the registration and the returned receipts of
registration. Ballots submitted to the board pursuant to
section 49.78 or 49.81 that are not cured by the deadline
provided in section 49.81, subsection 6, shall be rejected.
DIVISION IX
ELECTION MISCONDUCT
Sec. 48. Section 39A.7, Code 2025, is amended to read as
follows:
39A.7 Election misconduct — investigation.
1. The attorney general county sheriff, or other law
enforcement agency with jurisdiction, shall investigate
allegations of election misconduct reported to the attorney
general. Election misconduct by an election official shall
also be investigated for prosecution under chapter 721.
2. Upon the completion of an investigation required by
this section, the attorney general county sheriff, or other
law enforcement agency with jurisdiction, shall submit the
results of the investigation, including the report from the
law enforcement agency, to the attorney general and the state
House File 954, p. 19
commissioner, and the attorney general shall explain whether
the attorney general will pursue charges. Any information that
is requested by or in the possession of the state commissioner
pursuant to this chapter remains a confidential record pursuant
to section 22.7, subsection 5.
PAT GRASSLE
•
•-'
AMY SINC /•IR
Speaker of the House President of the Senate
I hereby certify that this bill originated in the House and
is known as House File 954, Ninety-first General Assembly.
Approve 2025
MEG
Chi
A' NELSON
Clerk *.; dm he House
KIM YNOLDS
Governor