Text: SF00369                           Text: SF00371
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Bills and Amendments: General Index     Bill History: General Index



Senate File 370

Partial Bill History

Bill Text

PAG LIN
  1  1                           DIVISION I
  1  2    PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE FEDERAL HELP AMERICA VOTE ACT
  1  3               AND MISCELLANEOUS VOTING PROVISIONS
  1  4    Section 1.  Section 47.1, Code 2003, is amended by adding
  1  5 the following new unnumbered paragraph:
  1  6    NEW UNNUMBERED PARAGRAPH.  The state commissioner shall
  1  7 adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A, for the implementation of
  1  8 uniform and nondiscriminatory administrative complaint
  1  9 procedures for resolution of grievances relating to violations
  1 10 of Title III of Pub. L. No. 107-252.
  1 11    Sec. 2.  Section 47.7, subsections 2, 3, and 4, Code 2003,
  1 12 are amended by striking the subsections and inserting in lieu
  1 13 thereof the following:
  1 14    2.  a.  On or before January 1, 2004, or on or before
  1 15 January 1, 2006, if a waiver is granted pursuant to section
  1 16 303(d) of Pub. L. No. 107-252, the state registrar of voters
  1 17 shall implement in a uniform and nondiscriminatory manner, a
  1 18 single, uniform, official, centralized, interactive
  1 19 computerized statewide voter registration file defined,
  1 20 maintained, and administered at the state level that contains
  1 21 the name and registration information of every legally
  1 22 registered voter in the state and assigns a unique identifier
  1 23 to each legally registered voter in the state.  The state
  1 24 voter registration system shall be coordinated with other
  1 25 agency databases within the state, including, but not limited
  1 26 to, the department of transportation driver's license records,
  1 27 judicial records of convicted felons and persons declared
  1 28 incompetent to vote, and department of public health records
  1 29 of deceased persons.
  1 30    b.  On or after the deadline established in paragraph "a",
  1 31 a county shall not establish or maintain a voter registration
  1 32 system separate from the state voter registration system.
  1 33 Each county shall provide to the state registrar the names,
  1 34 voter registration information, and voting history of each
  1 35 registered voter in the county in the form required by the
  2  1 state registrar.
  2  2    c.  A state or local election official may obtain immediate
  2  3 electronic access to the information contained in the
  2  4 computerized voter registration file.  All voter registration
  2  5 information obtained by a local election official shall be
  2  6 electronically entered into the computerized voter
  2  7 registration file on an expedited basis at the time the
  2  8 information is provided to the local election official.  The
  2  9 state registrar shall provide such support as may be required
  2 10 to enable local election officials to electronically enter the
  2 11 information into the computerized voter registration file on
  2 12 an expedited basis.  The list generated from the computerized
  2 13 file shall serve as the official voter registration list for
  2 14 the conduct of all elections for federal office in the state.
  2 15    d.  The state registrar shall prescribe by rule the
  2 16 procedures for access to the state voter registration file,
  2 17 security requirements, and access protocols for adding,
  2 18 changing, or deleting information from the state voter
  2 19 registration file.
  2 20    Sec. 3.  Section 48A.11, subsection 1, paragraph b, Code
  2 21 2003, is amended to read as follows:
  2 22    b.  The registrant's name, including first name and any
  2 23 family forename or surname.
  2 24    Sec. 4.  Section 48A.11, subsection 1, paragraph e, Code
  2 25 2003, is amended by striking the paragraph and inserting in
  2 26 lieu thereof, the following:
  2 27    e.  Iowa driver's license number, if the registrant has a
  2 28 current and valid Iowa driver's license, or the last four
  2 29 numerals of the registrant's social security number.  If the
  2 30 registrant does not have either an Iowa driver's license
  2 31 number or a social security number, the form shall provide
  2 32 space for a number to be assigned as provided in subsection 7.
  2 33    Sec. 5.  Section 48A.11, subsection 1, paragraph f, Code
  2 34 2003, is amended to read as follows:
  2 35    f.  Date of birth, including month, date, and year.
  3  1    Sec. 6.  Section 48A.11, subsection 1, paragraph i, Code
  3  2 2003, is amended to read as follows:
  3  3    i.  Political party registration, if any.
  3  4    Sec. 7.  Section 48A.11, subsection 2, Code 2003, is
  3  5 amended by adding the following new paragraph:
  3  6    NEW PARAGRAPH.  c.  The following questions and statement
  3  7 regarding eligibility:
  3  8    (1)  Are you a citizen of the United States of America?
  3  9    (2)  Will you be eighteen years of age on or before
  3 10 election day?
  3 11    (3)  If you checked "no" in response to either of these
  3 12 questions, do not complete this form.
  3 13    Sec. 8.  Section 48A.11, subsection 5, Code 2003, is
  3 14 amended to read as follows:
  3 15    5.  All forms for voter registration shall be prescribed by
  3 16 rule adopted by the state voter registration commission.
  3 17    Sec. 9.  Section 48A.11, Code 2003, is amended by adding
  3 18 the following new subsection:
  3 19    NEW SUBSECTION.  7.  A voter registration application
  3 20 lacking the registrant's name, sex, date of birth, or
  3 21 residence address or description shall not be processed.  If
  3 22 the registrant answered "no" or did not answer either "yes" or
  3 23 "no" to the question in subsection 2, paragraph "c",
  3 24 subparagraph (1), the application shall not be processed.  A
  3 25 registrant whose registration is not processed pursuant to
  3 26 this subsection shall be notified pursuant to section 48A.26,
  3 27 subsection 3.  A registrant who does not have either an Iowa
  3 28 driver's license number or a social security number and who
  3 29 notifies the registrar of such shall be assigned a unique
  3 30 identifying number that shall serve to identify the registrant
  3 31 for voter registration purposes.
  3 32    Sec. 10.  NEW SECTION.  48A.25A  VERIFICATION OF VOTER
  3 33 REGISTRATION INFORMATION.
  3 34    Upon receipt of an application for voter registration, the
  3 35 state registrar of voters shall compare the driver's license
  4  1 number or the last four numerals of the social security number
  4  2 provided by the registrant with the records of the state
  4  3 department of transportation.  If the information cannot be
  4  4 verified, the application shall be rejected and the registrant
  4  5 shall be notified of the reason for the rejection.  If the
  4  6 information can be verified, a record shall be made of the
  4  7 source used for verification and the application shall be
  4  8 accepted.
  4  9    This section does not apply to persons entitled to register
  4 10 to vote and to vote pursuant to section 48A.5, subsection 4.
  4 11    Sec. 11.  Section 48A.26, subsection 3, Code 2003, is
  4 12 amended to read as follows:
  4 13    3.  If the registration form is missing required
  4 14 information pursuant to section 48A.11, subsection 7, the
  4 15 acknowledgment shall advise the applicant what additional
  4 16 information is required.  The commissioner shall enclose a new
  4 17 registration by mail form for the applicant to use.  If the
  4 18 registration form has no address, the commissioner shall make
  4 19 a reasonable effort to determine where the acknowledgment
  4 20 should be sent.  If the incomplete application is received
  4 21 during the twelve days before the close of registration for an
  4 22 election, the commissioner shall provide the registrant with
  4 23 an opportunity to complete the form before the close of
  4 24 registration.
  4 25    Sec. 12.  Section 48A.28, subsection 2, unnumbered
  4 26 paragraph 2, Code 2003, is amended to read as follows:
  4 27    A commissioner participating in the national change of
  4 28 address program, in the first quarter of each calendar year,
  4 29 shall send a notice and preaddressed, postage paid return card
  4 30 by forwardable mail to each registered voter whose name was
  4 31 not reported by the national change of address program and who
  4 32 has not voted, in two or more consecutive general elections
  4 33 and has not registered again, or who has not reported a change
  4 34 to an existing registration, or who has not responded to a
  4 35 notice from the commissioner or registrar during the preceding
  5  1 four calendar years period between and following the previous
  5  2 two general elections.  The form and language of the notice
  5  3 and return card shall be specified by the state voter
  5  4 registration commission by rule.  A registered voter shall not
  5  5 be sent a notice and return card under this subsection more
  5  6 frequently than once in a four-year period.
  5  7    Sec. 13.  Section 48A.36, subsection 2, Code 2003, is
  5  8 amended to read as follows:
  5  9    2.  Upon receipt of electronic registration data under
  5 10 subsection 1, the state registrar of voters may shall cause
  5 11 the updating of registration records for registrants in
  5 12 counties which have arranged for data processing services
  5 13 under section 47.7, subsection 2.  The registrar shall notify
  5 14 the appropriate commissioner of the actions taken.
  5 15    Sec. 14.  Section 48A.38, subsection 1, paragraph f, Code
  5 16 2003, is amended to read as follows:
  5 17    f.  The county commissioner of registration and the state
  5 18 registrar of voters shall remove a voter's social security
  5 19 number and driver's license number from a voter registration
  5 20 list prepared pursuant to this section.
  5 21    Sec. 15.  Section 49.44, unnumbered paragraph 2, Code 2003,
  5 22 is amended by striking the unnumbered paragraph.
  5 23    Sec. 16.  Section 49.68, Code 2003, is amended to read as
  5 24 follows:
  5 25    49.68  STATE COMMISSIONER TO FURNISH INSTRUCTIONS.
  5 26    The state commissioner with the approval of the attorney
  5 27 general shall prepare, and from time to time revise, written
  5 28 instructions to the voters relative to voting, and shall
  5 29 furnish each commissioner with copies of the instructions.
  5 30 Such One set of instructions, which shall be known as
  5 31 instructions for marking ballots, shall cover the manner of
  5 32 marking ballots.  Another set of instructions, which shall be
  5 33 known as the Iowa voter bill of rights, shall cover the
  5 34 following matters:
  5 35    1.  The manner of obtaining ballots.
  6  1    2.  The manner of marking ballots.
  6  2    3. 2.  That unmarked or improperly marked ballots will not
  6  3 be counted.
  6  4    4. 3.  The method of gaining assistance in marking ballots.
  6  5    5. 4.  That any erasures or identification marks, or
  6  6 otherwise spoiling or defacing a ballot, will render it
  6  7 invalid.
  6  8    6. 5.  Not to vote a spoiled or defaced ballot.
  6  9    7. 6.  How to obtain a new ballot in place of a spoiled or
  6 10 defaced one.
  6 11    7.  How to cast a provisional ballot.
  6 12    8.  Instructions for first-time voters who registered by
  6 13 mail pursuant to section 48A.8.
  6 14    9.  The appropriate official to contact if the voter
  6 15 believes the voter's rights have been violated.
  6 16    10.  Polling place hours and the date of the election.
  6 17    11.  Information about federal and state laws prohibiting
  6 18 fraud and misrepresentation.
  6 19    8. 12.  Any other matters thought determined necessary.
  6 20    Sec. 17.  Section 49.70, Code 2003, is amended to read as
  6 21 follows:
  6 22    49.70  PRECINCT ELECTION OFFICIALS FURNISHED INSTRUCTIONS.
  6 23    The commissioner shall cause copies of the foregoing each
  6 24 set of instructions to be printed in large, clear type, under
  6 25 the heading headings of Iowa voter bill of rights and
  6 26 "Instructions instructions for Voters" marking ballots, and
  6 27 shall furnish the precinct election officials with a
  6 28 sufficient number of such each set of instructions as will
  6 29 enable them to comply with section 49.71.
  6 30    Sec. 18.  Section 49.71, Code 2003, is amended to read as
  6 31 follows:
  6 32    49.71  POSTING INSTRUCTION CARDS AND SAMPLE BALLOTS.
  6 33    The precinct election officials, before the opening of the
  6 34 polls, shall cause said cards securely post each set of
  6 35 instructions to be securely posted as follows:
  7  1    1.  One copy of instructions for marking ballots in each
  7  2 voting booth.
  7  3    2.  Not less than four copies of each set, with an equal
  7  4 number of sample ballots, in and about the polling place.
  7  5    Sec. 19.  Section 49.73, subsection 2, Code 2003, is
  7  6 amended to read as follows:
  7  7    2.  The commissioner shall not shorten voting hours for any
  7  8 election if there is filed in the commissioner's office, at
  7  9 least twenty-five days before the election, a petition signed
  7 10 by at least fifty eligible electors of the school district or
  7 11 city, as the case may be, requesting that the polls be opened
  7 12 not later than seven o'clock a.m.  All polling places where
  7 13 the candidates of or any public question submitted by any one
  7 14 political subdivision are being voted upon shall be opened at
  7 15 the same hour, except that this requirement shall not apply to
  7 16 merged areas established under chapter 260C.  The hours at
  7 17 which the respective precinct polling places are to open shall
  7 18 not be changed after publication of the notice required by
  7 19 section 49.53.  The polling places shall be closed at nine
  7 20 o'clock eight p.m. for state primary and general elections and
  7 21 other partisan elections, and for any other election held
  7 22 concurrently therewith, and at eight o'clock p.m. for all
  7 23 other elections.
  7 24    Sec. 20.  Section 49.77, subsection 3, Code 2003, is
  7 25 amended by striking the subsection and inserting in lieu
  7 26 thereof the following:
  7 27    3.  A precinct election official shall require that each
  7 28 voter provide a current and valid identification card
  7 29 containing a photograph of the voter, or one of the following
  7 30 documents that show the name and current address of the voter:
  7 31    a.  Utility bill.
  7 32    b.  Bank statement.
  7 33    c.  Government check.
  7 34    d.  Other government document.
  7 35    Sec. 21.  Section 49.77, subsection 4, Code 2003, is
  8  1 amended to read as follows:
  8  2    4.  a.  A person who presents identification required in
  8  3 subsection 3, and whose name does not appear on the election
  8  4 register of the precinct in which that person claims the right
  8  5 to vote shall not be permitted to vote, unless the person
  8  6 affirms that the person is currently registered in the county
  8  7 and presents proof of identity, or the commissioner informs
  8  8 the precinct election officials that an error has occurred and
  8  9 that the person is a registered voter of that precinct.  If
  8 10 the commissioner finds no record of the person's registration
  8 11 but the person insists that the person is a registered voter
  8 12 of that precinct, the precinct election officials shall allow
  8 13 the person to cast a ballot in the manner prescribed by
  8 14 section 49.81.
  8 15    b.  A person who does not present identification required
  8 16 in subsection 3 but whose name appears on the election
  8 17 register of the precinct in which that person claims the right
  8 18 to vote, or if the commissioner informs the precinct election
  8 19 officials that an error has occurred and the person is a
  8 20 registered voter of that precinct, shall be allowed to cast a
  8 21 ballot in the manner prescribed by section 49.81.
  8 22    c.  A person who has been sent an absentee ballot by mail
  8 23 but for any reason has not received it shall be permitted to
  8 24 cast a ballot in person pursuant to section 53.19 and in the
  8 25 manner prescribed by this section and section 49.81.
  8 26    Sec. 22.  Section 49.81, Code 2003, is amended to read as
  8 27 follows:
  8 28    49.81  PROCEDURE FOR CHALLENGED VOTER TO CAST PROVISIONAL
  8 29 BALLOT.
  8 30    1.  A prospective voter who is prohibited under described
  8 31 in section 49.77, subsection 4, or a prospective voter who is
  8 32 challenged under section 49.80 from voting except under this
  8 33 section shall be permitted to notified by the appropriate
  8 34 precinct election official that the voter may cast a paper
  8 35 provisional ballot under this section.  If a booth meeting the
  9  1 requirement of section 49.25 is not available at that polling
  9  2 place, the precinct election officials shall make alternative
  9  3 arrangements to insure the challenged voter the opportunity to
  9  4 vote in secret.  The marked ballot, folded as required by
  9  5 section 49.84, shall be delivered to a precinct election
  9  6 official who shall immediately seal it in an envelope of the
  9  7 type prescribed by subsection 4.  The sealed envelope shall be
  9  8 deposited in a special an envelope marked "ballots for special
  9  9 precinct" "provisional ballots" and shall be considered as
  9 10 having been cast in the special precinct established by
  9 11 section 53.20 for purposes of the postelection canvass.
  9 12    2.  Each person who casts a special provisional ballot
  9 13 under this section shall receive a printed statement in
  9 14 substantially the following form:  
  9 15    Your qualifications as a registered voter have been
  9 16 challenged for the following reasons:  
  9 17    I.   .................................................
  9 18    II.  .................................................
  9 19    III. .................................................
  9 20 Your right to vote will be reviewed by the special precinct
  9 21 counting board on ......  You have the right and are
  9 22 encouraged to make a written statement and submit additional
  9 23 written evidence to this board supporting your qualifications
  9 24 as a registered voter.  This written statement and evidence
  9 25 may be given to an election official of this precinct on
  9 26 election day or mailed or delivered to the county commissioner
  9 27 of elections, but must be received before ....  a.m./p.m. on
  9 28 ...... at ......  If your ballot is not counted you will
  9 29 receive, by mail, notification of this fact and the reason
  9 30 that the ballot was not counted.
  9 31    3.  Any elector may present written statements or
  9 32 documents, supporting or opposing the counting of any special
  9 33 provisional ballot, to the precinct election officials on
  9 34 election day, until the hour for closing the polls.  Any
  9 35 statements or documents so presented shall be delivered to the
 10  1 commissioner when the election supplies are returned.
 10  2    4.  The individual envelopes used for each paper
 10  3 provisional ballot cast pursuant to subsection 1 shall have
 10  4 printed on them the format of the face of the registration
 10  5 form under section 48A.8 and the following:
 10  6    I believe I am a registered voter of this precinct county
 10  7 and I am eligible to vote in this election.  I registered to
 10  8 vote in ...... county on or about ......  at ....... My name
 10  9 at that time was ....... I have not moved to a different
 10 10 county since that time.  I am a United States citizen, at
 10 11 least eighteen years of age.  
 10 12                            ............................
 10 13                            (signature of voter)  (date) 
 10 14 The following information is to be provided by the precinct
 10 15 election official:  
 10 16 Reason for challenge:
 10 17 ..................................
 10 18 ..................................
 10 19                            ............................
 10 20                            (signature of precinct
 10 21                             election official)
 10 22    Sec. 23.  Section 50.20, Code 2003, is amended to read as
 10 23 follows:
 10 24    50.20  NOTICE OF NUMBER OF SPECIAL PROVISIONAL BALLOTS.
 10 25    The commissioner shall compile a list of the number of
 10 26 special provisional ballots cast under section 49.81 in each
 10 27 precinct.  The list shall be made available to the public as
 10 28 soon as possible, but in no case later than nine o'clock a.m.
 10 29 on the second day following the election.  Any elector may
 10 30 examine the list during normal office hours, and may also
 10 31 examine the affidavit envelopes bearing the ballots of
 10 32 challenged electors until the reconvening of the special
 10 33 precinct board as required by this chapter.  Only those
 10 34 persons so permitted by section 53.23, subsection 4, shall
 10 35 have access to the affidavits while that board is in session.
 11  1 Any elector may present written statements or documents,
 11  2 supporting or opposing the counting of any special ballot, at
 11  3 the commissioner's office until the reconvening of the special
 11  4 precinct board.
 11  5    Sec. 24.  Section 50.21, unnumbered paragraph 2, Code 2003,
 11  6 is amended to read as follows:
 11  7    If no special provisional ballots were cast in the county
 11  8 pursuant to section 49.81 at any election, the special
 11  9 precinct election board need not be so reconvened.  If the
 11 10 number of special provisional ballots so cast at any election
 11 11 is not sufficient to require reconvening of the entire
 11 12 election board of the special precinct, the commissioner may
 11 13 reconvene only the number of members required.  If the number
 11 14 of special provisional ballots cast at any election exceeds
 11 15 the number of absentee ballots cast, the size of the special
 11 16 precinct election board may be increased at the commissioner's
 11 17 discretion.  The commissioner shall observe the requirements
 11 18 of sections 49.12 and 49.13 in making adjustments to the size
 11 19 of the special precinct election board.
 11 20    Sec. 25.  Section 52.1, subsection 2, paragraph h, Code
 11 21 2003, is amended to read as follows:
 11 22    h.  "Voting machine" means a mechanical or an electronic
 11 23 device, meeting the requirements of section 52.7, designated
 11 24 for use in casting, registering, recording, and counting votes
 11 25 at an election.
 11 26    Sec. 26.  Section 52.2, Code 2003, is amended to read as
 11 27 follows:
 11 28    52.2  PURCHASE.
 11 29    The board of supervisors of any county may, by a majority
 11 30 vote, authorize, purchase, and order the use of either voting
 11 31 machines or an electronic voting system in any one or more
 11 32 voting precincts within said the county until otherwise
 11 33 ordered by said the board of supervisors.  Voting machines and
 11 34 an electronic voting system may be used concurrently at
 11 35 different precincts within any county, but not at the same
 12  1 precinct.
 12  2    The state commissioner may provide voting machines or
 12  3 electronic voting systems to a county to replace lever voting
 12  4 machines in use in the county in order to comply with Pub. L.
 12  5 No. 107-252, the Help America Vote Act of 2002.
 12  6    Sec. 27.  Section 52.9, unnumbered paragraph 4, Code 2003,
 12  7 is amended by striking the unnumbered paragraph.
 12  8    Sec. 28.  Section 52.10, Code 2003, is amended to read as
 12  9 follows:
 12 10    52.10  BALLOTS – FORM.
 12 11    All ballots shall be printed in black ink on clear, white
 12 12 material, of such size as will fit the ballot frame, and
 12 13 presented in as plain, clear type as the space will reasonably
 12 14 permit.  The party name for each political party represented
 12 15 on the machine shall be prefixed to the list of candidates of
 12 16 such party.  The order of the list of candidates of the
 12 17 several parties or organizations shall be arranged as provided
 12 18 in sections 49.30 to 49.42A, except that the lists may be
 12 19 arranged in horizontal rows or vertical columns to meet the
 12 20 physical requirements of the voting machine used.  The
 12 21 offices, candidates, judges, and public measures to be voted
 12 22 upon, using the voting machine, shall be arranged as required
 12 23 by chapters 43 and 49.
 12 24    Sec. 29.  Section 52.12, Code 2003, is amended to read as
 12 25 follows:
 12 26    52.12  EXCEPTION – STRAIGHT PARTY VOTING.
 12 27    Voting machines shall have a single lever or switch voting
 12 28 target which casts a vote for each candidate of a political
 12 29 party or nonparty political organization which has nominated
 12 30 candidates for more than one partisan office on the ballot.
 12 31 Straight party voting shall be provided for all general
 12 32 elections.
 12 33    Sec. 30.  Section 52.16, Code 2003, is amended to read as
 12 34 follows:
 12 35    52.16  DUTIES OF ELECTION OFFICERS – INDEPENDENT BALLOTS.
 13  1    The election board of each precinct in which votes are to
 13  2 be cast by machine shall meet at the precinct polling place,
 13  3 at least one hour before the time set for the opening of the
 13  4 polls at each election, and shall proceed to arrange the
 13  5 furniture, stationery, and voting machine for the conduct of
 13  6 the election.  The board shall cause at least two instruction
 13  7 cards four sets of instructions to be posted conspicuously
 13  8 within the polling place.  If not previously done, they shall
 13  9 arrange, in their proper place on the voting machine, the
 13 10 ballots containing the names of the offices to be filled at
 13 11 the election, and the names of the candidates nominated.  If
 13 12 not previously done, the machine shall be so arranged as to
 13 13 show that no vote has been cast, and shall not be thereafter
 13 14 operated, except by electors in voting.
 13 15    Before the polls are open for election, the board shall
 13 16 carefully examine every machine and see that no vote has been
 13 17 cast, and the machines are subject to inspection of the
 13 18 election officers.  If the voting machine is equipped to
 13 19 produce a printed record showing the status of the counters,
 13 20 this record shall be produced by the precinct election
 13 21 officials immediately Immediately before the polls are open,
 13 22 the precinct election officials shall print a report from each
 13 23 machine showing that the counter is set at zero.  The
 13 24 inspection sheets reports from each machine used in the
 13 25 election shall be available for examination throughout
 13 26 election day.
 13 27    Ballots voted for any person whose name does not appear on
 13 28 the machine as a nominated candidate for office, are referred
 13 29 to in this section as independent ballots.  When two or more
 13 30 persons are to be elected to the same office, and the machine
 13 31 requires that all independent ballots voted for that office be
 13 32 deposited in a single receptacle or device, an elector may
 13 33 vote in or by the receptacle or device for one or more persons
 13 34 whose names do not appear upon the machine with or without the
 13 35 names of one or more persons whose names do so appear.  With
 14  1 that exception, and except for presidential electors, no
 14  2 independent ballot shall be voted for any person for any
 14  3 office whose name appears on the machine as a nominated
 14  4 candidate for that office; any independent ballot so voted
 14  5 shall not be counted.  An independent ballot must be cast in
 14  6 its appropriate place on the machine, or it shall be void and
 14  7 not counted.
 14  8    Sec. 31.  Section 52.17, Code 2003, is amended to read as
 14  9 follows:
 14 10    52.17  VOTING MACHINE IN PLAIN VIEW.
 14 11    The exterior of the voting machine and every part of the
 14 12 polling place shall be in plain view of the election officers.
 14 13 The voting machine shall be placed at least three feet from
 14 14 every wall and partition of the polling place, and at least
 14 15 four feet from the precinct election officials' table.
 14 16    Sec. 32.  Section 52.20, Code 2003, is amended to read as
 14 17 follows:
 14 18    52.20  INJURY TO MACHINE.
 14 19    No A voter, or other person, shall not deface or injure the
 14 20 voting machine or the ballot thereon.  It shall be the duty of
 14 21 the precinct election officials to enforce the provisions of
 14 22 this section.  During the entire period of an election, at
 14 23 least one of their number the officials, designated by them
 14 24 the officials from time to time, shall be stationed beside the
 14 25 entrance to the booth and shall see that it is properly closed
 14 26 after a voter has entered it to vote.  The official shall
 14 27 also, at such intervals as the official may deem proper or
 14 28 necessary, examine the face of the machine to ascertain
 14 29 whether it has been defaced or injured, to detect the
 14 30 wrongdoer, and to repair any injury.  If the official finds
 14 31 that a person has left the voting booth without casting the
 14 32 ballot, the official shall cast the ballot.
 14 33    Sec. 33.  Section 52.21, Code 2003, is amended by striking
 14 34 the section and inserting in lieu thereof the following:
 14 35    52.21  CANVASS OF VOTE – TALLY.
 15  1    As soon as the polls of the election are closed, the
 15  2 precinct election officials shall immediately lock the voting
 15  3 machine against voting and, in the presence of all persons who
 15  4 may be lawfully within the polling place, proceed to canvass
 15  5 the vote.  The officials shall print the results from each
 15  6 machine, tally any write-in votes, and complete any canvass
 15  7 documents prescribed for the voting machine by the state
 15  8 commissioner.  Write-in votes cast for a person whose name
 15  9 appears on the ballot as a candidate for that office shall not
 15 10 be counted.
 15 11    Sec. 34.  Section 52.23, unnumbered paragraph 2, Code 2003,
 15 12 is amended to read as follows:
 15 13    The inspection sheets zero count report from each machine
 15 14 used in the election and one copy of the printed results from
 15 15 each machine shall be signed by all precinct election
 15 16 officials and, with any paper or papers upon which write-in
 15 17 votes were recorded by voters, shall be securely sealed in an
 15 18 envelope marked with the name and date of the election, the
 15 19 precinct, and the serial numbers of the machines from which
 15 20 the enclosed results were removed.  This envelope shall be
 15 21 preserved, unopened, for twenty-two months following elections
 15 22 for federal offices and for six months following elections for
 15 23 all other offices unless a recount is requested pursuant to
 15 24 section 50.48 or an election contest is pending.  The envelope
 15 25 shall be destroyed in the same manner as ballots pursuant to
 15 26 section 50.13.  Additional copies At least one additional copy
 15 27 of the results, if any, shall be signed by the officials and
 15 28 delivered to the commissioner with the other supplies from the
 15 29 election pursuant to section 50.17.
 15 30    Sec. 35.  Section 52.25, unnumbered paragraph 2, Code 2003,
 15 31 is amended to read as follows:
 15 32    The entire convention question, amendment or public measure
 15 33 shall be printed and displayed prominently in at least four
 15 34 places within the voting precinct, and inside each voting
 15 35 booth, or on the left-hand side inside the curtain of each
 16  1 voting machine, the printing to be in conformity with the
 16  2 provisions of chapter 49.  The public measure shall be
 16  3 summarized by the commissioner and in the largest type
 16  4 possible printed on the special paper ballots or inserts used
 16  5 in the voting machines, except that:
 16  6    Sec. 36.  Section 53.16, Code 2003, is amended to read as
 16  7 follows:
 16  8    53.16  SUBSCRIBING TO AFFIDAVIT – REQUIRED IDENTIFICATION.
 16  9    After marking the ballot, the voter shall make and
 16 10 subscribe to the affidavit on the reverse side of the
 16 11 envelope, and fold the ballot or ballots, separately, so as to
 16 12 conceal the markings on them, and deposit them, and a
 16 13 photocopy of the identification required in section 49.77,
 16 14 subsection 3, in the envelope, and securely seal the envelope.
 16 15    Sec. 37.  Section 53.31, Code 2003, is amended by adding
 16 16 the following new unnumbered paragraph:
 16 17    NEW UNNUMBERED PARAGRAPH.  If a voter votes an absentee
 16 18 ballot by mail, or pursuant to section 53.10, 53.11, or 53.22,
 16 19 and does not include a photocopy of the identification
 16 20 required in section 49.77, subsection 3, the ballot returned
 16 21 by the voter shall be considered a provisional ballot pursuant
 16 22 to this section and section 49.81.
 16 23    Sec. 38.  NEW SECTION.  53.37A  STATE COMMISSIONER DUTIES.
 16 24    The state commissioner of elections shall provide
 16 25 information regarding voter registration procedures and
 16 26 absentee ballot procedures to be used by members of the armed
 16 27 forces of the United States.  The state commissioner shall
 16 28 accept valid voter registration applications and absentee
 16 29 ballot applications and shall forward the applications to the
 16 30 appropriate county commissioner of elections in a timely
 16 31 manner.
 16 32    Sec. 39.  Section 53.40, unnumbered paragraph 1, Code 2003,
 16 33 is amended to read as follows:
 16 34    A request in writing for a ballot may be made by any member
 16 35 of the armed forces of the United States who is or will be a
 17  1 qualified voter on the day of the election at which the ballot
 17  2 is to be cast, at any time before the election.  Any member of
 17  3 the armed forces of the United States may request ballots for
 17  4 all elections to be held within a calendar year through the
 17  5 next two general elections.  The request may be made by using
 17  6 the federal postcard application form and indicating that the
 17  7 applicant wishes to receive ballots for all elections as
 17  8 permitted by state law.  The county commissioner shall send
 17  9 the applicant a ballot for each election held during the
 17 10 calendar year in which after the application is received and
 17 11 through the next two general elections.  The commissioner
 17 12 shall forward a copy of the absentee ballot request to other
 17 13 commissioners who are responsible under section 47.2,
 17 14 subsection 2, for conducting elections in which the applicant
 17 15 is eligible to vote.
 17 16    Sec. 40.  Section 53.53, Code 2003, is amended by adding
 17 17 the following new unnumbered paragraphs:
 17 18    NEW UNNUMBERED PARAGRAPH.  A federal write-in ballot
 17 19 received by the state commissioner of elections shall be
 17 20 forwarded immediately to the appropriate county commissioner.
 17 21 However, if the state commissioner receives a federal write-in
 17 22 ballot after election day and before noon on the Monday
 17 23 following an election, the state commissioner shall at once
 17 24 verify that the voter has complied with the requirements of
 17 25 this section and that the voter's federal write-in ballot is
 17 26 eligible to be counted.  If the ballot is eligible to be
 17 27 counted, the state commissioner shall notify the appropriate
 17 28 county commissioner and make arrangements for the ballot to be
 17 29 transmitted to the county for counting.  If the ballot is not
 17 30 eligible to be counted, the state commissioner shall mail the
 17 31 ballot to the appropriate commissioner along with notification
 17 32 that the ballot is ineligible to be counted.  The county
 17 33 commissioner shall keep the ballot with the other records of
 17 34 the election.
 17 35    NEW UNNUMBERED PARAGRAPH.  The county commissioner shall
 18  1 notify a voter when the voter's federal write-in ballot was
 18  2 not counted and shall give the voter the reason the ballot was
 18  3 not counted.
 18  4    Sec. 41.  Sections 49.35, 52.11, 52.14, and 52.22, Code
 18  5 2003, are repealed.
 18  6    Sec. 42.  EFFECTIVE DATES.
 18  7    1.  The sections of this Act enacting new Code section
 18  8 48A.25A and amending Code sections 48A.26, 48A.36, 49.68,
 18  9 49.70, 49.71, and that portion of section 52.16 relating to
 18 10 voter instructions only, take effect January 1, 2004, or
 18 11 January 1, 2006, if a waiver is granted pursuant to section
 18 12 303(d) of Pub. L. No. 107-252.
 18 13    2.  The sections of this Act amending sections 52.1, 52.9,
 18 14 52.10, 52.12, 52.16, 52.17, 52.20, 52.21, and 52.25, and the
 18 15 sections of this Act repealing sections 52.11, 52.14, and
 18 16 52.22, take effect January 1, 2004, or January 1, 2006, if a
 18 17 waiver is granted pursuant to section 102(a) of Pub. L. No.
 18 18 107-252.
 18 19    3.  The remainder of this Act, being deemed of immediate
 18 20 importance, takes effect upon enactment.  
 18 21                           DIVISION II
 18 22       TRANSFER OF ELECTION AND VOTER REGISTRATION DUTIES
 18 23    Sec. 43.  Section 34A.6, subsection 3, Code 2003, is
 18 24 amended to read as follows:
 18 25    3.  The secretary of state commissioner of elections, in
 18 26 consultation with the administrator, shall adopt rules for the
 18 27 conduct of joint E911 service referendums as required by and
 18 28 consistent with subsections 1 and 2.
 18 29    Sec. 44.  Section 42.4, subsection 8, paragraph b,
 18 30 subparagraph (1), subparagraph subdivision (b), unnumbered
 18 31 paragraph 2, Code 2003, is amended to read as follows:
 18 32    The secretary of state commissioner of elections shall
 18 33 prescribe a form to be completed by all senators to declare
 18 34 their residences as of February 1, 2002.  The form shall be
 18 35 filed with the secretary of state commissioner of elections no
 19  1 later than five p.m. on February 1, 2002.
 19  2    Sec. 45.  Section 42.4, subsection 8, paragraph b,
 19  3 subparagraph (2), Code 2003, is amended to read as follows:
 19  4    (2)  Each even-numbered senatorial district to which
 19  5 subparagraph (1) of this paragraph is not applicable shall
 19  6 elect a senator in 2002 for a two-year term commencing in
 19  7 January 2003.  However, if more than one incumbent state
 19  8 senator is residing in an even-numbered senatorial district on
 19  9 February 1, 2002, and, on or before February 15, 2002, all but
 19 10 one of the incumbent senators resigns from office effective no
 19 11 later than January 1, 2003, the remaining incumbent senator
 19 12 shall represent the district in the senate for the Eightieth
 19 13 General Assembly.  A copy of the resignation must be filed in
 19 14 the office of the secretary of state commissioner of elections
 19 15 no later than five p.m. on February 15, 2002.
 19 16    Sec. 46.  Section 43.18, unnumbered paragraph 1, Code 2003,
 19 17 is amended to read as follows:
 19 18    Each candidate shall complete and file a signed, notarized
 19 19 affidavit of candidacy.  The affidavit shall be in the form
 19 20 prescribed by the secretary of state commissioner and shall
 19 21 include the following information:
 19 22    Sec. 47.  Section 43.63, Code 2003, is amended to read as
 19 23 follows:
 19 24    43.63  CANVASS BY STATE BOARD.
 19 25    Upon receipt of the abstracts of votes from the counties,
 19 26 the secretary of state commissioner shall immediately open the
 19 27 envelopes and canvass the results for all offices.  The
 19 28 secretary of state commissioner shall invite to attend the
 19 29 canvass one representative from each political party which, at
 19 30 the last preceding general election, cast for its candidate
 19 31 for president of the United States or for governor, as the
 19 32 case may be, at least two percent of the total vote cast for
 19 33 all candidates for that office at that election, as determined
 19 34 by the secretary of state commissioner.  The secretary of
 19 35 state commissioner shall notify the chairperson of each
 20  1 political party of the time of the canvass.  However, the
 20  2 presence of a representative from a political party is not
 20  3 necessary for the canvass to proceed.
 20  4    Not later than the twenty-seventh day after the primary
 20  5 election, the secretary of state commissioner shall present to
 20  6 the state board of canvassers abstracts showing the number of
 20  7 ballots cast by each political party for each office and a
 20  8 summary of the results for each office, showing the votes cast
 20  9 in each county.  The state board of canvassers shall review
 20 10 the results compiled by the secretary of state commissioner
 20 11 and, if the results are accurately tabulated, the state board
 20 12 shall approve the canvass.
 20 13    Sec. 48.  Section 43.67, unnumbered paragraphs 1 and 2,
 20 14 Code 2003, are amended to read as follows:
 20 15    Each candidate nominated pursuant to section 43.52 or 43.65
 20 16 is entitled to have the candidate's name printed on the
 20 17 official ballot to be voted at the general election without
 20 18 other certificate unless the candidate was nominated by write-
 20 19 in votes.  Immediately after the completion of the canvass
 20 20 held under section 43.49, the county auditor shall notify each
 20 21 person who was nominated by write-in votes for a county or
 20 22 township office that the person is required to file an
 20 23 affidavit of candidacy if the person wishes to be a candidate
 20 24 for that office at the general election.  Immediately after
 20 25 the completion of the canvass held under section 43.63, the
 20 26 secretary of state commissioner shall notify each person who
 20 27 was nominated by write-in votes for a state or federal office
 20 28 that the person is required to file an affidavit of candidacy
 20 29 if the person wishes to be a candidate for that office at the
 20 30 general election.  If the affidavit is not filed by five p.m.
 20 31 on the seventh day after the completion of the canvass, that
 20 32 person's name shall not be placed upon the official general
 20 33 election ballot.  The affidavit shall be signed by the
 20 34 candidate, notarized, and filed with the county auditor or the
 20 35 secretary of state commissioner, whichever is applicable.
 21  1    The affidavit shall be in the form prescribed by the
 21  2 secretary of state commissioner.  The affidavit shall include
 21  3 the following information:
 21  4    Sec. 49.  Section 44.3, subsection 2, unnumbered paragraph
 21  5 1, Code 2003, is amended to read as follows:
 21  6    Each candidate nominated by the convention or caucus shall
 21  7 complete and file a signed, notarized affidavit of candidacy.
 21  8 The affidavit shall be in the form prescribed by the secretary
 21  9 of state commissioner.  The affidavit shall include the
 21 10 following information:
 21 11    Sec. 50.  Section 45.3, unnumbered paragraph 1, Code 2003,
 21 12 is amended to read as follows:
 21 13    Each candidate shall complete and file a signed, notarized
 21 14 affidavit of candidacy.  The affidavit shall be filed at the
 21 15 same time as the nomination petition.  The affidavit shall be
 21 16 in the form prescribed by the secretary of state commissioner
 21 17 and shall include the following information:
 21 18    Sec. 51.  Section 47.1, unnumbered paragraphs 1 and 3, Code
 21 19 2003, are amended to read as follows:
 21 20    The secretary of state executive director of the Iowa
 21 21 elections, ethics, and campaign disclosure board established
 21 22 in section 68B.32 is designated as the state commissioner of
 21 23 elections and shall supervise the activities of the county
 21 24 commissioners of elections.  There is established within the
 21 25 office of the secretary of state Iowa elections, ethics, and
 21 26 campaign disclosure board a division of elections which shall
 21 27 be under the direction of the state commissioner of elections.
 21 28 The state commissioner of elections may appoint a person to be
 21 29 in charge of the division of elections who shall perform the
 21 30 duties assigned by the state commissioner of elections.  The
 21 31 state commissioner of elections shall prescribe uniform
 21 32 election practices and procedures, shall prescribe the
 21 33 necessary forms required for the conduct of elections, shall
 21 34 assign a number to each proposed constitutional amendment and
 21 35 statewide public measure for identification purposes, and
 22  1 shall adopt rules, pursuant to chapter 17A, to carry out this
 22  2 section.
 22  3    The secretary of state executive director of the Iowa
 22  4 elections, ethics, and campaign disclosure board is designated
 22  5 the chief state election official and is responsible for
 22  6 coordination of state responsibilities under the federal
 22  7 National Voter Registration Act of 1993.
 22  8    Sec. 52.  Section 48A.19, subsection 3, Code 2003, is
 22  9 amended to read as follows:
 22 10    3.  The voter registration agency shall provide voter
 22 11 registration services with each application for services or
 22 12 assistance and with each recertification, renewal, or change
 22 13 of address form completed relating to the agency's services.
 22 14 The secretary of state registrar of voters shall adopt
 22 15 administrative rules in cooperation with voter registration
 22 16 agencies to carry out the requirements of this section.
 22 17    Sec. 53.  Section 48A.22, Code 2003, is amended to read as
 22 18 follows:
 22 19    48A.22  VOTER REGISTRATION BY VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATIONS.
 22 20    The secretary of state registrar of voters shall encourage
 22 21 volunteer organizations to undertake voter registration drives
 22 22 by providing registration forms.
 22 23    Sec. 54.  Section 49.67, unnumbered paragraph 2, Code 2003,
 22 24 is amended to read as follows:
 22 25    If necessary, the commissioner or the commissioner's
 22 26 designee may make photocopies of official ballots to replace
 22 27 or replenish ballot supplies.  The commissioner shall keep a
 22 28 record of the number of photocopied ballots made for each
 22 29 precinct, the name of the person who made the photocopies, and
 22 30 the date, time, and location at which the photocopies were
 22 31 made.  These records shall be made on forms and following
 22 32 procedures prescribed by the secretary of state commissioner
 22 33 by administrative rule.
 22 34    Sec. 55.  Section 49.104, subsection 7, Code 2003, is
 22 35 amended to read as follows:
 23  1    7.  Any person authorized by the commissioner, in
 23  2 consultation with the secretary of state commissioner, for the
 23  3 purposes of conducting and attending educational voting
 23  4 programs for youth.
 23  5    Sec. 56.  Section 49A.8, Code 2003, is amended to read as
 23  6 follows:
 23  7    49A.8  CANVASS – DECLARATION OF RESULT – RECORD.
 23  8    The judges of election, county boards of canvassers, and
 23  9 other election officials shall canvass the vote on any
 23 10 constitutional amendment or public measure, and make return
 23 11 thereof, in the same manner as required by law for the canvass
 23 12 and return of the vote for public officers.  The board of
 23 13 state canvassers shall canvass such returns, declare the
 23 14 result, and enter the same of record, immediately following
 23 15 and in connection with the proofs of publication of such
 23 16 amendment or measure, in the book kept for that purpose by the
 23 17 secretary of state commissioner of elections.
 23 18    Upon completion of the canvass, the secretary of state
 23 19 commissioner of elections shall certify to the Iowa Code
 23 20 editor the results of the election.
 23 21    Sec. 57.  Section 50.36, Code 2003, is amended to read as
 23 22 follows:
 23 23    50.36  ENVELOPES CONTAINING OTHER ABSTRACTS – CANVASS.
 23 24    The secretary of state commissioner, upon receipt of the
 23 25 envelopes containing the abstracts of votes, shall open and
 23 26 canvass the abstracts for all offices except governor and
 23 27 lieutenant governor.
 23 28    The secretary of state commissioner shall invite to attend
 23 29 the canvass one representative from each political party
 23 30 which, at the last preceding general election, cast for its
 23 31 candidate for president of the United States or for governor,
 23 32 as the case may be, at least two percent of the total vote
 23 33 cast for all candidates for that office at that election, as
 23 34 determined by the secretary of state commissioner.  The
 23 35 secretary of state commissioner shall notify the chairperson
 24  1 of each political party of the time of the canvass.  However,
 24  2 the presence of a representative from a political party is not
 24  3 necessary for the canvass to proceed.
 24  4    Sec. 58.  Section 50.37, Code 2003, is amended to read as
 24  5 follows:
 24  6    50.37  STATE CANVASSING BOARD.
 24  7    The executive council shall constitute a board of
 24  8 canvassers of all abstracts of votes required to be filed with
 24  9 the state commissioner, except for the offices of governor and
 24 10 lieutenant governor.  Any clerical error found by the
 24 11 secretary of state commissioner or state board of canvassers
 24 12 shall be corrected by the county commissioner in a letter
 24 13 addressed to the state board of canvassers.
 24 14    Sec. 59.  Section 50.38, Code 2003, is amended to read as
 24 15 follows:
 24 16    50.38  TIME OF STATE CANVASS.
 24 17    Not later than twenty-seven days after the day of the
 24 18 election, the secretary of state commissioner shall present to
 24 19 the board of state canvassers abstracts of votes cast at the
 24 20 election showing the number of ballots cast for each office
 24 21 and a summary of the results for each office, showing the
 24 22 votes cast in each county.  The state board of canvassers
 24 23 shall review the results compiled by the secretary of state
 24 24 commissioner and, if the results are accurately tabulated, the
 24 25 state board shall approve the canvass.
 24 26    Sec. 60.  Section 54.5, unnumbered paragraph 5, Code 2003,
 24 27 is amended to read as follows:
 24 28    If a candidate for the office of president or vice
 24 29 president of the United States withdraws, dies, or is
 24 30 otherwise removed from the ballot before the general election,
 24 31 another candidate may be substituted.  The substitution shall
 24 32 be made by the state central committee of the political party
 24 33 or by the governing committee of the national party.  If there
 24 34 are differences, the substitution made by the state central
 24 35 committee shall prevail.  A nonparty political organization
 25  1 which has filed the names of party officers and central
 25  2 committee members with the secretary of state commissioner of
 25  3 elections before the close of the filing period for the
 25  4 general election pursuant to section 44.17 may also make
 25  5 substitutions.  A substitution must be filed no later than
 25  6 seventy-four days before the election.
 25  7    Sec. 61.  Section 56.5, subsection 4, Code 2003, is amended
 25  8 to read as follows:
 25  9    4.  A list, by office and district, of all candidates who
 25 10 have filed an affidavit of candidacy in the office of the
 25 11 secretary of state commissioner shall be prepared by the
 25 12 secretary of state commissioner and delivered to the board not
 25 13 more than ten days after the last day for filing nomination
 25 14 papers.
 25 15    Sec. 62.  Section 59.1, unnumbered paragraphs 2 and 3, Code
 25 16 2003, are amended to read as follows:
 25 17    A copy of the statement of notice of contest shall be filed
 25 18 with the secretary of state commissioner of elections within
 25 19 five days of service of the notice upon the incumbent.  The
 25 20 secretary of state commissioner of elections shall notify the
 25 21 presiding officer of the house in which the contest will be
 25 22 tried.
 25 23    A special election for a seat in either house of the
 25 24 general assembly may be contested.  The contestant shall serve
 25 25 notice on the incumbent in the manner described in this
 25 26 section not later than twenty days after the state canvass of
 25 27 votes for the election.  A copy of the notice shall also be
 25 28 filed with the presiding officer of the house in which the
 25 29 contest is to be tried, if the general assembly is in session.
 25 30 If the general assembly is not in session, a copy of the
 25 31 notice shall be filed with the secretary of state commissioner
 25 32 of elections.  The secretary of state commissioner of
 25 33 elections shall notify the presiding officer of the house in
 25 34 which the contest will be tried.
 25 35    Sec. 63.  Section 59.4, Code 2003, is amended to read as
 26  1 follows:
 26  2    59.4  RETURN OF DEPOSITIONS.
 26  3    A copy of the statement, and of the notice for taking
 26  4 depositions, with the service endorsed, and verified by
 26  5 affidavit if not served by an officer, shall be returned to
 26  6 the officer taking the depositions, and then, with the
 26  7 depositions, shall be sealed up and transmitted to the
 26  8 secretary of state commissioner of elections, with an
 26  9 endorsement thereon showing the nature of the papers, the
 26 10 names of the contesting parties, and the branch of the general
 26 11 assembly before whom the contest is to be tried.
 26 12    Sec. 64.  Section 59.7, Code 2003, is amended to read as
 26 13 follows:
 26 14    59.7  NOTICE OF RESULT.
 26 15    The presiding officer of the house in which the contest was
 26 16 tried shall certify to the secretary of state commissioner of
 26 17 elections the results of the contest.
 26 18    Sec. 65.  Section 60.2, Code 2003, is amended to read as
 26 19 follows:
 26 20    60.2  CLERK.
 26 21    The secretary of state commissioner of elections shall be
 26 22 the clerk of the court, or, in the secretary of state's state
 26 23 commissioner's absence or inability to act, the clerk of the
 26 24 supreme court.
 26 25    Sec. 66.  Section 60.3, Code 2003, is amended to read as
 26 26 follows:
 26 27    60.3  OATH.
 26 28    Each member of the court, before entering upon the
 26 29 discharge of the member's duties, shall take an oath before
 26 30 the secretary of state commissioner of elections, or some
 26 31 officer qualified to administer oaths, that the member will
 26 32 support the Constitution of the United States and that of the
 26 33 state of Iowa, and that, without fear, favor, affection, or
 26 34 hope of reward, the member will, to the best of the member's
 26 35 knowledge and ability, administer justice according to law and
 27  1 the facts in the case.
 27  2    Sec. 67.  Section 60.4, Code 2003, is amended to read as
 27  3 follows:
 27  4    60.4  STATEMENT.
 27  5    The contestant shall file the statement provided for in
 27  6 chapter 62 in the office of the secretary of state
 27  7 commissioner of elections within two days from the day on
 27  8 which the returns are canvassed by the state board of
 27  9 canvassers and, within the same time, serve a copy of the
 27 10 same, with a notice of the contest, on the incumbent in the
 27 11 manner provided by the rules of civil procedure for service of
 27 12 an original notice.
 27 13    Sec. 68.  Section 60.6, Code 2003, is amended to read as
 27 14 follows:
 27 15    60.6  JUDGMENT.
 27 16    The judgment of the court shall determine which of the
 27 17 parties to the action is entitled to hold the office and shall
 27 18 be authenticated by the presiding judge and clerk of the court
 27 19 and filed with the secretary of state commissioner of
 27 20 elections; and the judgment so rendered shall constitute a
 27 21 final determination of the title to the office, and a
 27 22 certificate of appointment shall be issued to the successful
 27 23 party.
 27 24    Sec. 69.  Section 61.2, Code 2003, is amended to read as
 27 25 follows:
 27 26    61.2  CLERK.
 27 27    The secretary of state commissioner of elections shall be
 27 28 the clerk of this court; but if the person holding that office
 27 29 is a party to the contest, the clerk of the supreme court, or,
 27 30 in case of that person's absence or inability, the auditor of
 27 31 state shall be clerk.
 27 32    Sec. 70.  Section 61.11, Code 2003, is amended to read as
 27 33 follows:
 27 34    61.11  SUBPOENAS – DEPOSITIONS.
 27 35    The secretary of state commissioner of elections, the
 28  1 several clerks of the supreme and district courts, under their
 28  2 respective seals of office, and either of the judges of the
 28  3 supreme or district courts, under their hands, may issue
 28  4 subpoenas for witnesses to attend this court; and disobedience
 28  5 to such process may be treated as a contempt.  Depositions may
 28  6 also be taken as in the case of contested county elections.
 28  7    Sec. 71.  Section 68B.2, subsection 3, Code 2003, is
 28  8 amended to read as follows:
 28  9    3.  "Board" means the Iowa elections, ethics, and campaign
 28 10 disclosure board.
 28 11    Sec. 72.  Section 68B.32A, Code 2003, is amended by adding
 28 12 the following new subsection:
 28 13    NEW SUBSECTION.  15.  Perform all duties as required and
 28 14 directed by the state commissioner of elections as defined in
 28 15 section 47.7.
 28 16    Sec. 73.  Section 331.510, subsection 2, Code 2003, is
 28 17 amended to read as follows:
 28 18    2.  A report to the secretary of state commissioner of
 28 19 elections of the name, office, and term of office of each
 28 20 appointed or elected county officer within ten days of the
 28 21 officer's election or appointment and qualification.
 28 22    Sec. 74.  AMENDMENTS CHANGING TERMINOLOGY – DIRECTIVE TO
 28 23 CODE EDITOR.  The Iowa Code editor is directed to strike the
 28 24 words "ethics and campaign disclosure board" and insert the
 28 25 words "elections, ethics, and campaign disclosure board"
 28 26 wherever the words "ethics and campaign disclosure board"
 28 27 appear in the Iowa Code, in any bills awaiting codification,
 28 28 and in any bills enacted by the Eightieth General Assembly,
 28 29 2003 Regular Session, unless a contrary intent is clearly
 28 30 evident.  
 28 31                          DIVISION III
 28 32                         ABSENTEE VOTING
 28 33    Sec. 75.  Section 53.2, unnumbered paragraph 1, Code 2003,
 28 34 is amended to read as follows:
 28 35    Any registered voter, under the circumstances specified in
 29  1 section 53.1, may on any day, except election day, and not
 29  2 more than seventy forty-five days prior to the date of the
 29  3 election, apply in person for an absentee ballot at the
 29  4 commissioner's office or at any location designated by the
 29  5 commissioner, or make written application to the commissioner
 29  6 for an absentee ballot.  Absentee ballot applications may only
 29  7 be distributed by the commissioner's office.  Absentee ballot
 29  8 applications shall be distributed by the commissioner not more
 29  9 than forty-five days and not less than seven days before the
 29 10 election.
 29 11    PARAGRAPH DIVIDED.  The state commissioner shall prescribe
 29 12 a form for absentee ballot applications.  However, if a
 29 13 registered voter submits an application that includes all of
 29 14 the information required in this section, the prescribed form
 29 15 is not required.  The application shall include a statement
 29 16 that if the absentee ballot is not voted in person at the
 29 17 commissioner's office or at a satellite absentee voting
 29 18 station, the absentee ballot will be mailed to the voter not
 29 19 less than seven days before the election.  Absentee ballot
 29 20 applications may include instructions to send the application
 29 21 directly to the county commissioner of elections.  However, no
 29 22 absentee ballot application shall be preaddressed or printed
 29 23 with instructions to send the applications to anyone other
 29 24 than the appropriate commissioner.  An individual requesting
 29 25 more than one absentee ballot application may only request a
 29 26 number of applications equal to the number of registered
 29 27 voters in the individual's household.
 29 28    Sec. 76.  Section 53.8, subsection 1, Code 2003, is amended
 29 29 to read as follows:
 29 30    1.  Upon receipt of an application for an absentee ballot
 29 31 and immediately after the absentee ballots are printed and not
 29 32 less than seven days before the election, the commissioner
 29 33 shall mail an absentee ballot to the applicant within twenty-
 29 34 four hours, except as otherwise provided in subsection 3.  The
 29 35 absentee ballot shall be enclosed in an unsealed envelope
 30  1 bearing a serial number and affidavit.  The absentee ballot
 30  2 and unsealed envelope shall be enclosed in or with a carrier
 30  3 envelope marked postage paid which bears the same serial
 30  4 number as the unsealed envelope.  The absentee ballot,
 30  5 unsealed envelope, and carrier envelope shall be enclosed in a
 30  6 third envelope to be sent to the registered voter.  If the
 30  7 ballot cannot be folded so that all of the votes cast on the
 30  8 ballot will be hidden, the commissioner shall also enclose a
 30  9 secrecy envelope with the absentee ballot.
 30 10    Sec. 77.  Section 53.8, subsection 2, Code 2003, is amended
 30 11 to read as follows:
 30 12    2.  If an application is received so late that it is
 30 13 unlikely that the absentee ballot can be returned in time to
 30 14 be counted on election day, the commissioner shall enclose
 30 15 with the absentee ballot a statement to that effect. The
 30 16 statement shall also point out that it is possible for the
 30 17 applicant, or the applicant's designee if the absentee ballot
 30 18 is voted by a voter described in section 53.22, subsection 5,
 30 19 to personally deliver the completed absentee ballot to the
 30 20 office of the commissioner at any time before the closing of
 30 21 the polls on election day.
 30 22    Sec. 78.  Section 53.17, subsection 1, Code 2003, is
 30 23 amended to read as follows:
 30 24    1.  The sealed carrier envelope may be delivered by the
 30 25 registered voter, or the voter's designee if the absentee
 30 26 ballot is voted by a voter described in section 53.22, to the
 30 27 commissioner's office no later than the time the polls are
 30 28 closed on election day.
 30 29    Sec. 79.  Section 53.17, subsection 2, Code 2003, is
 30 30 amended to read as follows:
 30 31    2.  The sealed carrier envelope may be mailed to the
 30 32 commissioner.  The carrier envelope shall indicate that
 30 33 greater postage than ordinary first class mail may be
 30 34 required.  The commissioner shall pay any insufficient postage
 30 35 due on a carrier envelope bearing ordinary first class postage
 31  1 and accept the ballot.  
 31  2                           EXPLANATION
 31  3    This bill makes changes to the law relating to elections
 31  4 and voter registration.  Division I of the bill contains Iowa
 31  5 Code changes which, unless otherwise noted, are necessary to
 31  6 comply with requirements of Public Law No. 107-252, the
 31  7 federal Help America Vote Act of 2002.  Division II of the
 31  8 bill transfers duties relating to the conduct of elections and
 31  9 voter registration from the office of secretary of state to
 31 10 the Iowa ethics and campaign disclosure board.  Division III
 31 11 makes changes to the law relating to absentee voting.
 31 12    DIVISION I – Code section 47.1 is amended to require the
 31 13 state commissioner of elections (secretary of state) to adopt,
 31 14 by rule, administrative complaint procedures for resolution of
 31 15 grievances relating to violations of those provisions of the
 31 16 Help America Vote Act relating to uniform and
 31 17 nondiscriminatory election technology and administration
 31 18 requirements.
 31 19    Code section 47.7 is amended to require the state registrar
 31 20 of voters (secretary of state), on or before January 1, 2004,
 31 21 or on or before January 1, 2006, if a federal waiver is
 31 22 granted, to implement a centralized, computerized statewide
 31 23 voter registration system.  The statewide system must be
 31 24 interactive with other agency computer databases in the state.
 31 25 Code section 48A.36 is amended to conform to this requirement.
 31 26    Code section 48A.11, relating to information required when
 31 27 registering to vote, is amended to require that the first name
 31 28 and any family forename or surname be included when providing
 31 29 the registrant's name.  That section is also amended to
 31 30 require that the registrant provide the registrant's Iowa
 31 31 driver's license number or, if not available, the last four
 31 32 numerals of the registrant's social security number.  If the
 31 33 registrant does not have either an Iowa driver's license or
 31 34 social security number, the registrar is to assign the
 31 35 registrant an identification number for voter registration
 32  1 purposes.  Code section 48A.11 is amended to specify that the
 32  2 requirement for the registrant's date of birth includes the
 32  3 month, date, and year of birth.  The section is amended to
 32  4 require that the voter registration form ask the registrant if
 32  5 the registrant is a citizen of the United States and if the
 32  6 registrant will be 18 years old on or before election day.
 32  7 The form shall contain a statement that if the registrant
 32  8 answered "no" to either of those questions, the registrant is
 32  9 not to complete the registration form.  Code section 48A.11 is
 32 10 also amended to add a new subsection providing that if certain
 32 11 required information is not provided on the registration form,
 32 12 the form shall not be processed and the registrar shall mail
 32 13 an acknowledgment to the registrant notifying the registrant
 32 14 that the registration could not be processed.
 32 15    The amendments to Code section 48A.11, relating to
 32 16 political party affiliation on the voter registration form,
 32 17 and striking the requirement that the state voter registration
 32 18 commission prescribe voter registration forms by rule, are not
 32 19 required by the Help America Vote Act.
 32 20    New Code section 48A.25A requires the state registrar of
 32 21 voters to verify the registrant's driver's license number or
 32 22 the last four digits of the registrant's social security
 32 23 number.  If either number provided cannot be verified, the
 32 24 state registrar shall reject the registration application and
 32 25 the registrant shall be notified.  If the information can be
 32 26 verified, the registrar is to make a record of the source used
 32 27 for verification.
 32 28    Code section 48A.26, is amended to provide that if a voter
 32 29 registration form lacking required information is received
 32 30 during the 12 days before the close of registration, the
 32 31 commissioner shall provide the registrant with an opportunity
 32 32 to complete the form before the close of registration.
 32 33    Code section 48A.28 is amended to change the time period
 32 34 from four consecutive calendar years to two or more
 32 35 consecutive general elections under which a commissioner
 33  1 participating in the national change of address program is to
 33  2 notify a registered voter if the voter has not voted after
 33  3 registering or if the voter has not responded to a prior
 33  4 notice mailed by the commissioner.
 33  5    Code section 48A.38 is amended to require that a voter's
 33  6 driver's license number be removed from a voter registration
 33  7 list prepared at the request of any person.  Current law
 33  8 requires that the voter's social security number be removed.
 33  9    Code section 49.68 is amended to require the state
 33 10 commissioner to prepare two separate sets of instructions to
 33 11 voters, rather than the current one.  A second set is required
 33 12 which is to contain instructions on the manner of marking
 33 13 ballots only.  The other set, which is to be known as the Iowa
 33 14 voter bill of rights, is to contain instructions required by
 33 15 current Code plus instructions on casting a provisional
 33 16 ballot, instructions for first-time voters who registered by
 33 17 mail, the appropriate official to contact if the voter
 33 18 believes the voter's rights relating to voting have been
 33 19 violated, polling place hours and the date of the election,
 33 20 and information on federal and state laws which prohibit fraud
 33 21 and misrepresentation related to voting.  Code sections 49.70,
 33 22 49.71, and 52.16 are amended to conform to the new requirement
 33 23 that two separate sets of instructions be prepared.
 33 24    Code section 49.73 is amended to change the time for
 33 25 closing precinct polling places from 9 p.m. to 8 p.m. for all
 33 26 elections.  This change is not a requirement of the Help
 33 27 America Vote Act.
 33 28    Code section 49.77 is amended to require that all voters
 33 29 show identification at the polls before being allowed to cast
 33 30 a ballot.  If a voter is confirmed to be a registered voter of
 33 31 the precinct, but does not have the required identification,
 33 32 the voter is allowed to cast a provisional ballot.  The
 33 33 identification required must be a current and valid photo
 33 34 identification card or must be one of the following documents
 33 35 showing the voter's name and current address:
 34  1    1.  Utility bill.
 34  2    2.  Bank statement.
 34  3    3.  Government check.
 34  4    4.  Other government document.  
 34  5 The Help America Vote Act requires that persons who register
 34  6 to vote by mail must show proof of identification when voting
 34  7 for the first time after registering.
 34  8    Code sections 49.81, 50.20, and 50.21 are amended to change
 34  9 the term "special ballot" to "provisional ballot" which is the
 34 10 term used in the Help America Vote Act for a ballot cast by a
 34 11 challenged voter.  Code section 49.81 is also amended to
 34 12 provide that when a challenged voter's ballot is not counted
 34 13 the commissioner, when notifying the voter, shall notify the
 34 14 voter by mail and shall inform the voter why the ballot was
 34 15 not counted.
 34 16    Code section 52.1 is amended to remove lever voting
 34 17 machines as an acceptable voting machine in Iowa.  Code
 34 18 sections 49.44, 52.9, 52.10, 52.12, 52.16, 52.17, 52.20,
 34 19 52.21, and 52.25 are amended to conform to this change.  Code
 34 20 sections 49.35, 52.11, 52.14, and 52.22 are repealed to
 34 21 conform to this change.  The amendments to these Code sections
 34 22 take effect January 1, 2004, unless a waiver is granted by the
 34 23 federal government pursuant to the Help America Vote Act.
 34 24    Code section 52.2 is amended to provide that the state
 34 25 commissioner may provide voting equipment to a county that is
 34 26 required to replace its lever voting machines with a different
 34 27 type of voting machine or voting system.
 34 28    Code section 52.16 is amended to require the election
 34 29 officials to print a report showing that the voter machine
 34 30 counter is set at zero immediately before the polls open to
 34 31 voters.
 34 32    Code section 52.20 is amended to provide that if a voter
 34 33 leaves the voting booth without having cast the ballot the
 34 34 voter voted, the precinct election official shall cast the
 34 35 ballot.
 35  1    Code section 52.21 is amended to provide that write-in
 35  2 votes cast for a person whose name appears on the ballot as a
 35  3 candidate for that office shall not be counted.
 35  4    Code section 52.23 is amended to require that at least one
 35  5 additional copy of the printed canvass results from each
 35  6 voting machine shall be signed by the precinct election
 35  7 officials and delivered to the county commissioner.
 35  8 Currently, more than one additional copy is required to be
 35  9 delivered to the commissioner.
 35 10    Code section 53.16 is amended to include the requirement
 35 11 that a photocopy of identification required when voting in
 35 12 person must be included with a voted absentee ballot.  Code
 35 13 section 53.31 is amended to provide that if required
 35 14 identification is not included with the absentee ballot, the
 35 15 ballot will be considered a provisional ballot.
 35 16    New Code section 53.37A requires the state commissioner of
 35 17 elections to provide information to members of the armed
 35 18 forces of the United States on voter registration and absentee
 35 19 ballot procedures.  The section also requires the state
 35 20 commissioner to accept voter registration applications and
 35 21 absentee ballot applications from members of the armed forces
 35 22 and to forward the applications to the appropriate county
 35 23 commissioner of elections.
 35 24    Code section 53.40 is amended to extend the time period
 35 25 during which a commissioner is to mail absentee ballots to a
 35 26 member of the armed forces after receiving the member's
 35 27 initial application for an absentee ballot.  The time period
 35 28 is extended from one calendar year after receipt of the
 35 29 application to the next two general elections after receipt of
 35 30 the application.
 35 31    Code section 53.53 is amended to provide that when the
 35 32 state commissioner receives a federal write-in ballot, the
 35 33 commissioner is to immediately forward it to the appropriate
 35 34 county commissioner of elections.  If the ballot is received
 35 35 after election day but before noon on the Monday following the
 36  1 election, the state commissioner, rather than the county
 36  2 commissioner, is to verify that the ballot is eligible to be
 36  3 counted and shall notify the appropriate county commissioner
 36  4 and transmit the ballot.  If the ballot is not to be counted,
 36  5 the county commissioner is required to notify the voter and
 36  6 give the reason why the ballot was not counted.
 36  7    The sections of the division enacting new Code section
 36  8 48A.25 and amending Code sections 48A.26, 48A.36, 49.68,
 36  9 49.70, and 49.71, and that portion of section 52.16 relating
 36 10 to voter instructions only, take effect January 1, 2004, or
 36 11 January 1, 2006, if a waiver is granted pursuant to the
 36 12 federal law.  The remainder of the division takes effect upon
 36 13 enactment.
 36 14    DIVISION II – Division II of the bill transfers duties
 36 15 relating to conduct of elections and voter registration from
 36 16 the office of secretary of state to the Iowa ethics and
 36 17 campaign disclosure board.  The ethics and campaign disclosure
 36 18 board is renamed the elections, ethics, and campaign
 36 19 disclosure board.  Other related changes are provided to
 36 20 transfer election-related duties from the secretary of state
 36 21 to the state commissioner of elections.
 36 22    DIVISION III – Division III of the bill makes changes
 36 23 relating to absentee voting procedures, including request and
 36 24 delivery of absentee ballot applications, delivery of absentee
 36 25 ballots to the voter, and delivery of completed absentee
 36 26 ballots to the county commissioner of elections.
 36 27    The bill provides that an absentee ballot application may
 36 28 be requested no more than 45 days and no less than seven days
 36 29 before the election, rather than the current 70 days before
 36 30 the election.  The bill also provides that absentee ballot
 36 31 applications may only be distributed by the county
 36 32 commissioner's office.  The bill strikes the provision that
 36 33 allowed a voter to submit an application other than the
 36 34 absentee ballot application prepared by the state commissioner
 36 35 of elections if the voter's application contained certain
 37  1 required information.  The bill provides that an individual
 37  2 requesting more than one absentee ballot application may only
 37  3 request a number of applications equal to the number of
 37  4 registered voters in the individual's household.  The bill
 37  5 also provides that the commissioner shall mail an absentee
 37  6 ballot to a voter no less than seven days before the election.
 37  7    The bill provides that a sealed carrier envelope containing
 37  8 an absentee ballot may only be delivered to the county
 37  9 commissioner's office by the registered voter who completed
 37 10 the ballot or by the voter's designee if the voter is a
 37 11 confined person described in Code section 53.22.
 37 12    The bill provides that the carrier envelope delivered to
 37 13 the voter along with the absentee ballot and secrecy envelope
 37 14 shall be marked postage paid.  
 37 15 LSB 2590SV 80
 37 16 sc/cl/14
     

Text: SF00369                           Text: SF00371
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