2001 Summary of Legislation ELECTIONS, ETHICS AND CAMPAIGN FINANCE Published by the Iowa General Assembly -- Legislative Service Bureau

ELECTIONS, ETHICS AND CAMPAIGN FINANCE LEGISLATION

HOUSE FILE 481 - Establishment of City Election Precincts (full text of act)

   BY GRUNDBERG. This Act concerns the requirements and process used for cities when they establish new or redrawn election precincts.

   The Act requires cities to draw precincts in a manner that promotes electoral efficiency by requiring cities to avoid creating more precincts than is necessary to serve the convenience of the voters. In addition, the Act specifically authorizes the county commissioner of elections to suggest changes to a proposed reprecincting if the commissioner feels the changes would better promote electoral efficiency or better serve the voter. If the commissioner does suggest changes, the Act requires the city, if it does not make changes to its proposed reprecincting, to include reasons for rejecting the changes in the ordinance that adopts the new precincts.

   The Act takes effect April 18, 2001.

HOUSE FILE 566 - Registered Voters, Eligible Electors, and Qualified Voters (full text of act)

   BY COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT. This Act makes several changes to the Iowa Code regarding use of the terms "eligible elector," "qualified elector," and "registered voter." Prior to 1994, the term "qualified elector" was defined in the Code as a person registered to vote. That term was changed to "registered voter" beginning in 1994. The Act changes "qualified voters" and "qualified electors" to "registered voters" in those Code sections overlooked in the original legislation.

   The Act also changes from registered voters to eligible electors those persons qualified to sign a petition required or allowed by statute. Eligible electors are persons qualified to register to vote regardless of whether they have actually registered. Petition requirements amended by the Act include petitions regarding unified law enforcement districts, township officers, local school districts, land use districts, commission form of local government, county bonds, county libraries, county hospitals, city revenue bonds, local option sales taxes, and retention of district court clerks.

   The Act also amends Code Section 53.37 to define "qualified voter" to mean, for purposes of absentee voting by the armed forces, a person described under the term "armed forces of the United States" who, except for meeting the residency requirement, is otherwise eligible to register to vote and to vote in Iowa. The Act retains the term "qualified" in Code Section 468.514 to describe those property owners eligible to vote on drainage district matters.

HOUSE FILE 758 - Congressional and Legislative Redistricting -- EXTRAORDINARY SESSION (full text of act)

   BY COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT. This Act establishes congressional and legislative districts for the state effective during the 2002 and subsequent general elections. The districts are established based upon population pursuant to the results of the 2000 decennial census. Pursuant to the requirements of Code Section 42.4, the Act provides for the election of senators to the general assemblies which take office in 2003 and 2005 in conformity with the Iowa Constitution and provides for the filling of a vacancy for a member of Congress or the General Assembly if a special election is required prior to the 2002 general election. Refer to the appendices for maps of the Congressional, Senate and House districts, prepared by the Legislative Service Bureau.

   The Act takes effect June 22, 2001.

RELATED LEGISLATION

HOUSE FILE 581 -- Drainage or Levee District Election Districts -- Size (Complete summary under AGRICULTURE.)

   This Act increases the size of a drainage or levee district required to have election districts from 3,000 acres or more to 20,000 acres or more.

© 1998 Cornell College and League of Women Voters of Iowa

Comments about this site or page? webmaster@legis.iowa.gov.
Please remember that the person listed above does not vote on bills. Direct all comments concerning legislation to State Legislators.

Last update: 03-Sep-2001 02:37 PM
sw/rc