SF 2126 (LSB 5328XS (2) 88)

SENATE FILE 2126

BY  WAHLS, CELSI, KINNEY, DOTZLER, R. TAYLOR, T. TAYLOR, HOGG, LYKAM, GIDDENS, QUIRMBACH, BOLKCOM, and PETERSEN

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to the use of student identification cards as voter registration and identification documents.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 48A.7A, subsection 1, paragraph b, subparagraph (1), subparagraph division (e), Code 2020, is amended to read as follows:
   (e)  A student identification card issued by an Iowa high school or an Iowa postsecondary educational institution.  A student identification card issued by an accredited Iowa postsecondary educational institution need not include the person’s photograph or a valid expiration date, and a person presenting a student identification card issued by an accredited Iowa postsecondary educational institution is not subject to address verification pursuant to subparagraph (2) if the student identification card does not include a current address in the precinct.
    Sec. 2.  Section 49.78, subsection 2, paragraph a, Code 2020, is amended by adding the following new subparagraph:
   NEW SUBPARAGRAPH.  (6)  A student identification card issued by an accredited Iowa postsecondary educational institution.
    Sec. 3.  Section 49.78, subsection 2, paragraph b, Code 2020, is amended to read as follows:
   b.  Upon being presented with a form of identification under this section, the precinct election official shall examine the identification. The precinct election official shall use the information on the identification card, including the signature, to determine whether the person offering to vote appears to be the person depicted on the identification card. The voter’s signature shall generally be presumed to be valid. If the identification provided does not appear to be the person offering to vote under section 49.77, the precinct election official shall challenge the person offering to vote in the same manner provided for other challenges by sections 49.79 and 49.80. A person offering to vote who establishes identity by presenting a veteran’s identification card or student identification card that does not contain a signature, is not subject to challenge under this paragraph “b”.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill relates to the usage of student identification cards issued by accredited Iowa postsecondary educational institutions as voter registration and identification documents. The bill allows a student identification card issued by an accredited Iowa postsecondary educational institution to be used for voter registration even if the card lacks the person’s photograph and a valid expiration date and a person presenting a student identification card issued by an accredited Iowa postsecondary educational institution that does not include a current address in the precinct is not subject to additional address verification requirements.
   The bill allows a student identification card issued by an accredited Iowa postsecondary educational institution to be used as a voter identification document, including when the card does not contain a signature.