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