SSB 1145 (LSB 1966XC (2) 85)

SENATE FILE _____

BY  (PROPOSED COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT BILL BY CHAIRPERSON DANIELSON)

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to voter registration deadlines.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 48A.9, subsection 1, Code 2013, is amended to read as follows:
   1.  Registration closes at 5:00 p.m. eleven days before each election except primary and general elections. For primary and 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. 2.  Section 48A.27, subsection 4, paragraph c, subparagraph (2), Code 2013, 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 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. 3.  Section 48A.29, subsection 1, paragraph b, Code 2013, 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 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. 4.  Section 48A.29, subsection 3, paragraph b, Code 2013, 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 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 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.
EXPLANATION
   This bill relates to voter registration deadlines by requiring that voter registration closes at 5:00 p.m. 11 days before all elections. The bill also makes conforming changes. Current law requires that voter registration for primary and general elections close at 5:00 p.m. 10 days before those elections.