Senate File 413 - Enrolled Senate File 413 AN ACT RELATING TO THE CONDUCT OF ELECTIONS, INCLUDING ABSENTEE BALLOTS AND VOTER LIST MAINTENANCE ACTIVITIES, MAKING PENALTIES APPLICABLE, AND INCLUDING EFFECTIVE DATE AND APPLICABILITY PROVISIONS. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA: Section 1. Section 9E.6, subsection 2, paragraph b, Code 2021, is amended to read as follows: b. The program participant shall complete the ballot and return it to the state commissioner of elections, who shall review the ballot in the manner provided by sections 53.18 and 53.19 if the return envelope is received in the state commissioner’s office before the polls close on election day or is clearly postmarked by an officially authorized postal service or bears a postal service barcode traceable to a date of entry into the federal mail system not later than the day before the election, as provided in section 53.17A . If the materials comply with the requirements of section 53.18 , the materials shall be certified by the state commissioner of elections as the ballot of a program participant, and shall be forwarded to the appropriate county commissioner of elections for tabulation by the special voters precinct election board appointed pursuant to section 53.23 .

Senate File 413, p. 2 Sec. 2. NEW SECTION . 39.13 Conference boards —— appointment —— limitations. 1. Notwithstanding section 441.2, for the purposes of conducting the business of a conference board established pursuant to section 441.2, a person shall not serve in a voting unit of a conference board if such service would be incompatible with another office held by that person. 2. If a person is a member of more than one body whose members make up a voting unit on the conference board, that person shall waive the person’s position on the conference board for all but one of the bodies the person represents. A waiver pursuant to this subsection does not cause the person to vacate any elective office. Sec. 3. Section 39A.2, subsection 1, Code 2021, is amended by adding the following new paragraph: NEW PARAGRAPH . g. Failure to perform duties. As an election official, fails to perform duties prescribed by chapters 39 through 53, except for section 48A.41, or fails to follow or implement guidance issued pursuant to section 47.1, or performs those duties and responsibilities in such a way as to hinder or disregard the object of the law. Sec. 4. Section 39A.3, subsection 1, paragraph b, Code 2021, is amended by adding the following new subparagraph: NEW SUBPARAGRAPH . (9) Fails to perform voter list maintenance in violation of section 48A.41. Sec. 5. Section 39A.4, subsection 1, paragraph b, subparagraph (1), Code 2021, is amended to read as follows: (1) Serving as a member of a challenging committee or observer under section 49.104, subsection 2, 5, or 6 , 1, paragraph “b” , “e” , or “f” , while serving as a precinct election official at the polls. Sec. 6. Section 39A.4, subsection 1, paragraph b, subparagraph (2), Code 2021, is amended by striking the subparagraph. Sec. 7. Section 39A.4, subsection 1, paragraph b, Code 2021, is amended by adding the following new subparagraph: NEW SUBPARAGRAPH . (14) Interferes with a person permitted at a polling place pursuant to section 49.104. Sec. 8. Section 39A.4, subsection 1, paragraph c,

Senate File 413, p. 3 subparagraphs (10) and (11), Code 2021, are amended to read as follows: (10) Returning a voted absentee ballot , by mail , to a ballot drop box, or in person, to the commissioner’s office and the person returning the ballot is not the voter, the voter’s designee, or a special precinct election official designated pursuant to section 53.22, subsection 2 a person prohibited to collect and deliver a completed ballot pursuant to section 53.33 . (11) Making a false or untrue statement reporting that a voted absentee ballot was returned to the commissioner’s office, by mail or in person, or to a ballot drop box, by a person other than the voter, the voter’s designee, or a special precinct election official designated pursuant to section 53.22, subsection 2 prohibited to collect and deliver a completed ballot pursuant to section 53.33 . Sec. 9. Section 39A.6, subsection 3, Code 2021, is amended to read as follows: 3. a. This notice is not a final determination of facts or law in the matter, and does not entitle a person to a proceeding under chapter 17A . Upon issuance of a technical infraction to a county commissioner, the state commissioner shall also impose a fine not to exceed ten thousand dollars to be deposited in the general fund. b. A county commissioner shall pay a fine issued pursuant to this section or file an appeal pursuant to chapter 17A within sixty days. A county commissioner who fails to pay a fine that was not dismissed pursuant to chapter 17A shall be suspended from office for a period not to exceed two years pursuant to sections 66.7 and 66.8. c. If a county commissioner is suspended pursuant to paragraph “b” , the state commissioner shall direct the deputy of the county commissioner to oversee the functions of the office until the suspension is revoked or the office is vacated and a successor is elected. The state commissioner may direct the state commissioner’s staff to assist in the performance of the duties of the county commissioner. Sec. 10. Section 39A.6, Code 2021, is amended by adding the following new subsection:

Senate File 413, p. 4 NEW SUBSECTION . 4. Upon issuing a technical infraction, the state commissioner shall immediately inform the attorney general and relevant county attorney if the apparent violation constitutes or may constitute election misconduct under this chapter. Sec. 11. NEW SECTION . 39A.7 Election misconduct —— investigation. 1. The attorney general or county attorney shall investigate allegations of election misconduct reported to the attorney general or county attorney. 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 or county attorney shall submit the results of the investigation to the state commissioner and explain whether the attorney general or county attorney will pursue charges. Sec. 12. NEW SECTION . 43.17 Preclusion of partisan nomination. A person shall not file nomination papers under this chapter on behalf of a candidate if nomination papers have been filed pursuant to section 44.4 on behalf of the candidate for the same office and election year. Sec. 13. Section 43.20, subsection 1, Code 2021, is amended by striking the subsection and inserting in lieu thereof the following: 1. a. Except as provided in paragraph “b” , nomination papers shall be signed by eligible electors as provided in section 45.1. b. Nomination papers for an office to be filled by the voters of the county or for the office of county supervisor elected from a district within the county, shall be signed by at least two percent of the party vote in the county or supervisor district, as shown by the last general election, or by at least one hundred persons, whichever is less. Sec. 14. Section 43.20, subsection 2, Code 2021, is amended by striking the subsection. Sec. 15. Section 44.1, Code 2021, is amended to read as follows:

Senate File 413, p. 5 44.1 Political nonparty Nonparty political organizations. 1. Any convention or caucus of eligible electors representing a political organization which is not a political party as defined by law, may, for the state, or for any division or municipality thereof, or for any county, or for any subdivision thereof, for which such convention or caucus is held, make one nomination of a candidate for each office to be filled therein at the general election. However, in order to qualify for any nomination made for a statewide elective office by such a political organization there shall be in attendance at the convention or caucus where the nomination is made a minimum of two hundred fifty five hundred eligible electors including at least one eligible elector from each of twenty-five counties. In order to qualify for any nomination to the office of United States representative there shall be in attendance at the convention or caucus where the nomination is made a minimum of fifty two hundred eligible electors who are residents of the congressional district including at least one eligible elector from each of at least one-half of the counties of the congressional district. In order to qualify for any nomination to an office to be filled by the voters of a county or of a city there shall be in attendance at the convention or caucus where the nomination is made a minimum of ten twenty eligible electors who are residents of the county or city, as the case may be, including at least one eligible elector from at least one-half of the voting precincts in that county or city. In order to qualify for any nomination made for the general assembly there shall be in attendance at the convention or caucus where the nomination is made a minimum of ten twenty-five eligible electors who are residents of the representative district or twenty fifty eligible electors who are residents of the senatorial district, as the case may be, with at least one eligible elector from one-half of the voting precincts in the district in each case. The names of all delegates in attendance at such convention or caucus and such fact shall be certified to the state commissioner together with the other certification requirements of this chapter . 2. A candidate who has been nominated under a political party under chapter 43 shall not be eligible for nomination

Senate File 413, p. 6 under this chapter for the same office in the same election year. Sec. 16. Section 45.1, subsections 1 and 2, Code 2021, are amended to read as follows: 1. Nominations for candidates for president and vice president, governor and lieutenant governor, and for other statewide elected offices United States senator may be made by nomination petitions signed by not less than one thousand five hundred eligible electors residing in not less than ten counties of the state three thousand five hundred eligible electors, including at least one hundred eligible electors each from at least nineteen counties of the state . 2. Nominations for candidates for a representative in the United States house of representatives may be made by nomination petitions signed by not less than the number of eligible electors equal to the number of signatures required in subsection 1 divided by the number of congressional districts. Signers of the petition shall be eligible electors who are residents of the congressional district one thousand seven hundred twenty-six eligible electors who are residents of the congressional district, including at least forty-seven eligible electors each from at least one-half of the counties in the congressional district . Sec. 17. Section 45.1, Code 2021, is amended by adding the following new subsection: NEW SUBSECTION . 1A. Nominations for candidates for statewide offices other than those listed in subsection 1 may be made by nomination petitions signed by not less than two thousand five hundred eligible electors, including at least seventy-seven eligible electors from not less than eighteen counties of the state. Sec. 18. Section 47.1, subsection 1, Code 2021, is 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

Senate File 413, p. 7 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 , to carry out this section . The state commissioner of elections may issue guidance that is not subject to the rulemaking process to clarify election laws and rules. Sec. 19. Section 47.2, subsection 1, Code 2021, 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 issued pursuant to section 47.1. Sec. 20. Section 47.7, subsection 2, Code 2021, is amended by adding the following new paragraph: NEW PARAGRAPH . 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 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) The state registrar may contract with a third-party vendor 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

Senate File 413, p. 8 ongoing basis. Sec. 21. Section 47.7, Code 2021, is amended by adding the following new subsection: NEW SUBSECTION . 3. The state registrar of voters shall use information from the electronic registration information center to update information in the statewide voter registration system, including but not limited to the following reports: a. In-state duplicates. b. In-state updates. c. Cross-state matches. d. Deceased. e. Eligible but unregistered. f. National change of address. Sec. 22. Section 48A.9, subsection 1, Code 2021, is amended to read as follows: 1. Registration closes at 5:00 p.m. eleven fifteen days before each election except general elections. For general elections, registration closes at 5:00 p.m. ten days before the election . An eligible elector may register during the time registration is closed in the elector’s precinct but the registration shall not become effective until registration opens again in the elector’s precinct, except as otherwise provided in section 48A.7A . Sec. 23. Section 48A.10A, subsection 1, Code 2021, is 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 and nonoperator’s identification card 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 , and an additional four-digit personal identification number assigned by the state commissioner , and the times during which polling places will be open on election days .

Senate File 413, p. 9 Sec. 24. Section 48A.27, subsection 4, paragraph c, subparagraph (2), Code 2021, is amended to read as follows: (2) The notice shall contain a statement in substantially the following form: Information received from the United States postal service indicates that you are no longer a resident of, and therefore not eligible to vote in (name of county) County, Iowa. If this information is not correct, and you still live in (name of county) County, please complete and mail the attached postage paid card at least ten days before the primary or general election and at least eleven fifteen days before any other election at which you wish to vote. If the information is correct and you have moved, please contact a local official in your new area for assistance in registering there. If you do not mail in the card, you may be required to show identification before being allowed to vote in (name of county) County. If you do not return the card, and you do not vote in an election in (name of county) County, Iowa, on or before (date of second general election following the date of the notice) your name will be removed from the list of voters in that county. Sec. 25. Section 48A.28, subsections 1 and 2, Code 2021, are amended to read as follows: 1. Each commissioner shall conduct a systematic program that makes a reasonable effort to remove from the official list of registered voters the names of registered voters who have changed residence from their registration addresses. Either or both of the methods described in this section may be used. 2. a. A commissioner may shall participate in the United States postal service national change of address program, as provided in section 48A.27 . The state voter registration commission shall adopt rules establishing specific requirements for participation and use of the national change of address program. b. A commissioner participating in the national change of address program, in the first quarter of each calendar year, shall send a notice and preaddressed, postage paid return card by forwardable mail to each registered voter whose name was not reported by the national change of address program and who

Senate File 413, p. 10 has not voted in two or more consecutive general elections the most recent general election and has not registered again , or who has not reported a change to an existing registration , or who has not responded to a notice from the commissioner or registrar during the period between and following the previous two general elections . Registered voters receiving such notice shall be marked inactive. The form and language of the notice and return card shall be specified by the state voter registration commission by rule. A registered voter shall not be sent a notice and return card under this subsection more frequently than once in a four-year period. Sec. 26. Section 48A.28, subsection 3, Code 2021, is amended by striking the subsection. Sec. 27. Section 48A.29, subsection 1, paragraph b, Code 2021, is amended to read as follows: b. The notice shall contain a statement in substantially the following form: Information received from the United States postal service indicates that you are no longer a resident of (residence address) in (name of county) County, Iowa. If this information is not correct, and you still live in (name of county) County, please complete and mail the attached postage paid card at least ten days before the primary or general election and at least eleven fifteen days before any other election at which you wish to vote. If the information is correct, and you have moved, please contact a local official in your new area for assistance in registering there. If you do not mail in the card, you may be required to show identification before being allowed to vote in (name of county) County. If you do not return the card, and you do not vote in some election in (name of county) County, Iowa, on or before (date of second general election following the date of the notice) your name will be removed from the list of voters in that county. Sec. 28. Section 48A.29, subsection 3, paragraph b, Code 2021, is amended to read as follows: b. The notice shall contain a statement in substantially the following form: Information received by this office indicates that you are no longer a resident of (residence address) in (name of

Senate File 413, p. 11 county) County, Iowa. If the information is not correct, and you still live at that address, please complete and mail the attached postage paid card at least ten days before the primary or general election and at least eleven fifteen days before any other election at which you wish to vote. If the information is correct, and you have moved within the county, you may update your registration by listing your new address on the card and mailing it back. If you have moved outside the county, please contact a local official in your new area for assistance in registering there. If you do not mail in the card, you may be required to show identification before being allowed to vote in (name of county) County. If you do not return the card, and you do not vote in some election in (name of county) County, Iowa, on or before (date of second general election following the date of the notice) your name will be removed from the list of registered voters in that county. Sec. 29. Section 48A.30, subsection 1, paragraph g, Code 2021, is amended to read as follows: g. The registered voter’s registration record has been inactive pursuant to section 48A.28 or 48A.29 for two successive general elections. Sec. 30. Section 48A.37, subsection 2, Code 2021, is amended to read as follows: 2. Electronic records shall include a status code designating whether the records are active, inactive, incomplete, pending, or canceled. Inactive records are records of registered voters to whom notices have been sent pursuant to section 48A.28, subsection 3, 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 . Canceled records are records that have been canceled pursuant to section 48A.30 . All other records are active records. An inactive record shall be made active

Senate File 413, p. 12 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 . Sec. 31. NEW SECTION . 48A.40 Voter list maintenance reports. 1. The commissioner of registration shall annually submit to the state registrar of voters a report regarding the number of voter registration records marked inactive or canceled pursuant to sections 48A.28 through 48A.30. The state registrar of voters shall publish such reports on the internet site of the state registrar of voters. 2. The state registrar of voters shall determine by rule the form and submission deadline of reports submitted pursuant to subsection 1. Sec. 32. NEW SECTION . 48A.41 Voter registration maintenance audits —— investigations. 1. The state registrar of voters shall conduct an audit of voter registration maintenance by each commissioner of registration in April of each odd-numbered year, on a schedule determined by the commissioner. 2. If in the course of an audit under this section the state registrar of voters finds that a commissioner of registration has failed to perform required voter list maintenance, the state registrar of voters shall submit the audit to the relevant county attorney and attorney general within twenty-four hours for investigation of a violation of section 39A.3, subsection 1, paragraph “b” , subparagraph (9), or other provision of law. Sec. 33. NEW SECTION . 49.2 Oversight by the state commissioner. The state commissioner, or a designee of the state commissioner, may, at the discretion of the state commissioner, oversee the activities of a county commissioner of elections during a period beginning sixty days before an election and

Senate File 413, p. 13 ending sixty days after an election. For the purposes of this section, “oversee” means to observe election-related activity, correct any activity not in accordance with law, and issue a written notice and instructions pursuant to section 39A.6 for any technical infractions that are observed. Sec. 34. Section 49.13, Code 2021, is amended by adding the following new subsection: NEW SUBSECTION . 7. A person serving on a precinct election board pursuant to subsection 2 or 3 who changes the political party of which the person is a member within thirty days before an election shall be immediately removed from the board and a substitute shall be appointed pursuant to section 49.14. Sec. 35. Section 49.23, Code 2021, is amended to read as follows: 49.23 Notice of change. When a change is made from the usual polling place for the precinct or when the precinct polling place for any primary or general election is different from that used for the precinct at the last preceding primary or general election, notice of such change shall be given by publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the precinct mailed to all registered voters in the precinct and posted prominently in the county commissioner’s office and on the county commissioner’s internet site not more than twenty nor less than four seven days before the day on which the election is to be held. In addition a notice of the present polling place for the precinct shall be posted, not later than the hour at which the polls open on the day of the election, on each door to the usual or former polling place in the precinct and shall remain there until the polls have closed. Sec. 36. Section 49.73, subsection 2, Code 2021, is amended to read as follows: 2. a. All polling places where the candidates of or any public question submitted by any one political subdivision are being voted upon shall be opened at the same hour. The hours at which the respective precinct polling places are to open shall not be changed after publication of the notice required by section 49.53 . The polling places shall be closed at 9:00 p.m. for state primary and general elections and other partisan

Senate File 413, p. 14 elections, and for any other election held concurrently therewith, and at 8:00 p.m. for all other elections. b. The legislative services agency shall place on the internet site of the agency information regarding the opening and closing times of polling places until and including November 7, 2024. This paragraph is repealed effective July 1, 2025. Sec. 37. Section 49.77, subsection 2, Code 2021, is amended to read as follows: 2. If the declaration of eligibility is not printed on each page of the election register, any of those persons present pursuant to section 49.104, subsection 2, 3, 5, or 6 , 1, paragraph “b” , “c” , “e” , or “f” , may upon request view the signed declarations of eligibility and may review the signed declarations on file so long as the person does not interfere with the functions of the precinct election officials. If the declaration of eligibility is printed on the election register, voters shall also sign a voter roster which the precinct election official shall make available for viewing. Any of those persons present pursuant to section 49.104, subsection 2, 3, 5, or 6 , 1, paragraph “b” , “c” , “e” , or “f” , may upon request view the roster of those voters who have signed declarations of eligibility, so long as the person does not interfere with the functions of the precinct election officials. Sec. 38. Section 49.88, Code 2021, is amended by adding the following new subsection: NEW SUBSECTION . 3. A person standing for election on the ballot before a voter shall not occupy the voting booth with the voter, including to assist the voter. Sec. 39. Section 49.90, Code 2021, is amended to read as follows: 49.90 Assisting voter. 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 by any other person the voter may select in casting the vote , except that the voter shall not select a person standing for

Senate File 413, p. 15 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 and allow the elector to cast the ballot in the vehicle. Ballots cast by voters with disabilities shall be deposited in the regular ballot box, or inserted in the tabulating device, and counted in the usual manner. Sec. 40. Section 49.104, Code 2021, is amended to read as follows: 49.104 Persons permitted at polling places. 1. The following persons shall be permitted to be present at and in the immediate vicinity of the polling places, provided they do not solicit votes: 1. a. Any person who is by law authorized to perform or is charged with the performance of official duties at the election. 2. b. Any number of persons, not exceeding three at a time from each political party having candidates to be voted for at such election, to act as challenging committees, who are appointed and accredited by the executive or central committee of such political party or organization. 3. c. Any number of persons not exceeding three at a time from each of such political parties, appointed and accredited in the same manner as prescribed in subsection 2 paragraph “b” for challenging committees, and any number of persons not exceeding three at a time appointed as observers under subsection 5 paragraph “e” , to witness the counting of ballots. 4. d. Any peace officer assigned or called upon to keep order or maintain compliance with the provisions of this chapter , upon request of the commissioner or of the chairperson of the precinct election board. 5. e. One observer at a time representing any nonparty political organization, any candidate nominated by petition pursuant to chapter 45 , or any other nonpartisan candidate in a city or school election, appearing on the ballot of the

Senate File 413, p. 16 election in progress. Candidates who send observers to the polls shall provide each observer with a letter of appointment in the form prescribed by the state commissioner. 6. f. Any persons expressing an interest in a ballot issue to be voted upon at an election except a general or primary election. Any such person shall file a notice of intent to serve as an observer with the commissioner before election day. If more than three persons file a notice of intent to serve at the same time with respect to ballot issues at an election, the commissioner shall appoint from those submitting a notice of intent the three persons who may serve at that time as observers, and shall provide a schedule to all persons who filed notices of intent. The appointees, whenever possible, shall include both opponents and proponents of the ballot issues. 7. g. Any person authorized by the commissioner, in consultation with the secretary of state, for the purposes of conducting and attending educational voting programs. 8. h. Reporters, photographers, and other staff representing the news media. However, representatives of the news media, while present at or in the immediate vicinity of the polling places, shall not interfere with the election process in any way. 2. A precinct election official or county commissioner shall not obstruct or interfere with a person fulfilling that person’s role or performing that person’s duty under subsection 1. A person who violates this subsection is guilty of election misconduct in the third degree. Sec. 41. Section 49.109, Code 2021, is amended to read as follows: 49.109 Employees entitled to time to vote. Any person entitled to vote at an election in this state who does not have three two consecutive hours in the period between the time of the opening and the time of the closing of the polls during which the person is not required to be present at work for an employer, is entitled to such time off from work time to vote as will in addition to the person’s nonworking time total three two consecutive hours during the time the polls are open. Application by any employee for such absence shall be made

Senate File 413, p. 17 individually and in writing prior to the date of the election, and the employer shall designate the period of time to be taken. The employee is not liable to any penalty nor shall any deduction be made from the person’s regular salary or wages on account of such absence. Sec. 42. NEW SECTION . 50.52 Enforcement. Members of local law enforcement agencies and the state patrol are authorized to take all reasonable actions to prevent violations of this chapter. Sec. 43. Section 53.2, subsection 1, Code 2021, is amended to read as follows: 1. a. Any registered voter, under the circumstances specified in section 53.1 , may on any day, except election day, and not more than one hundred twenty seventy days prior to the date of the election, apply in person for an absentee ballot at the commissioner’s office or at any location designated by the commissioner. However, for those elections in which the commissioner directs the polls be opened at noon pursuant to section 49.73 , a voter may apply in person for an absentee ballot at the commissioner’s office from 8:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. on election day. b. A registered voter may make written application to the commissioner for an absentee ballot. A written application for an absentee ballot must be received by the commissioner no later than 5:00 p.m. on the same day as the voter registration deadline provided in section 48A.9 for the election for which the ballot is requested, except when the absentee ballot is requested and voted at the commissioner’s office pursuant to section 53.10 . A written application for an absentee ballot delivered to the commissioner and received by the commissioner more than one hundred twenty seventy days prior to the date of the election shall be returned to the voter with a notification of the date when the applications will be accepted. c. The commissioner may send an absentee ballot application to a registered voter at the request of the registered voter. The commissioner shall not send an absentee ballot application to a person who has not submitted such a request. d. In the event of a public health disaster declared by the governor pursuant to section 29C.6, the general assembly may by