Senate
Study
Bill
1199
-
Introduced
SENATE
FILE
_____
BY
(PROPOSED
COMMITTEE
ON
STATE
GOVERNMENT
BILL
BY
CHAIRPERSON
SMITH)
A
BILL
FOR
An
Act
relating
to
the
conduct
of
elections,
including
1
absentee
ballots
and
voter
list
maintenance
activities,
2
making
penalties
applicable,
and
including
effective
date
3
provisions.
4
BE
IT
ENACTED
BY
THE
GENERAL
ASSEMBLY
OF
THE
STATE
OF
IOWA:
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Section
1.
Section
39A.2,
subsection
1,
Code
2021,
is
1
amended
by
adding
the
following
new
paragraph:
2
NEW
PARAGRAPH
.
g.
Failure
to
perform
duties.
As
an
3
election
official,
fails
to
perform
duties
prescribed
by
4
chapters
39
through
53,
except
for
section
48A.41,
or
fails
to
5
follow
or
implement
guidance
issued
pursuant
to
section
47.1,
6
or
performs
those
duties
and
responsibilities
in
such
a
way
as
7
to
hinder
or
disregard
the
object
of
the
law.
8
Sec.
2.
Section
39A.3,
subsection
1,
paragraph
b,
Code
2021,
9
is
amended
by
adding
the
following
new
subparagraph:
10
NEW
SUBPARAGRAPH
.
(9)
Fails
to
adequately
perform
voter
11
list
maintenance
in
violation
of
section
48A.41.
12
Sec.
3.
Section
39A.4,
subsection
1,
paragraph
b,
13
subparagraph
(1),
Code
2021,
is
amended
to
read
as
follows:
14
(1)
Serving
as
a
member
of
a
challenging
committee
or
15
observer
under
section
49.104,
subsection
2,
5,
or
6
,
1,
16
paragraph
“b”
,
“e”
,
or
“f”
,
while
serving
as
a
precinct
election
17
official
at
the
polls.
18
Sec.
4.
Section
39A.4,
subsection
1,
paragraph
b,
19
subparagraph
(2),
Code
2021,
is
amended
by
striking
the
20
subparagraph.
21
Sec.
5.
Section
39A.4,
subsection
1,
paragraph
b,
Code
2021,
22
is
amended
by
adding
the
following
new
subparagraph:
23
NEW
SUBPARAGRAPH
.
(14)
Interferes
with
a
person
permitted
24
at
a
polling
place
pursuant
to
section
49.104.
25
Sec.
6.
Section
39A.4,
subsection
1,
paragraph
c,
26
subparagraphs
(10)
and
(11),
Code
2021,
are
amended
to
read
as
27
follows:
28
(10)
Returning
a
voted
absentee
ballot
,
by
mail
,
to
a
ballot
29
drop
box,
or
in
person,
to
the
commissioner’s
office
and
the
30
person
returning
the
ballot
is
not
the
voter,
the
voter’s
31
designee,
or
a
special
precinct
election
official
designated
32
pursuant
to
section
53.22,
subsection
2
a
person
prohibited
33
to
collect
and
deliver
a
completed
ballot
pursuant
to
section
34
53.33
.
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(11)
Making
a
false
or
untrue
statement
reporting
that
1
a
voted
absentee
ballot
was
returned
to
the
commissioner’s
2
office,
by
mail
or
in
person,
or
to
a
ballot
drop
box,
by
3
a
person
other
than
the
voter,
the
voter’s
designee,
or
a
4
special
precinct
election
official
designated
pursuant
to
5
section
53.22,
subsection
2
prohibited
to
collect
and
deliver
a
6
completed
ballot
pursuant
to
section
53.33
.
7
Sec.
7.
Section
39A.6,
subsection
3,
Code
2021,
is
amended
8
to
read
as
follows:
9
3.
a.
This
notice
is
not
a
final
determination
of
facts
10
or
law
in
the
matter,
and
does
not
entitle
a
person
to
a
11
proceeding
under
chapter
17A
.
Upon
issuance
of
a
technical
12
infraction
to
a
county
commissioner,
the
state
commissioner
13
shall
also
impose
a
fine
not
to
exceed
ten
thousand
dollars
to
14
be
deposited
in
the
general
fund.
15
b.
A
county
commissioner
shall
pay
a
fine
issued
pursuant
to
16
this
section
or
file
an
appeal
pursuant
to
chapter
17A
within
17
sixty
days.
A
county
commissioner
who
fails
to
pay
a
fine
that
18
was
not
dismissed
pursuant
to
chapter
17A
shall
be
suspended
19
from
office
for
a
period
not
to
exceed
two
years
pursuant
to
20
sections
66.7
and
66.8.
21
c.
If
a
county
commissioner
is
suspended
pursuant
to
22
paragraph
“b”
,
the
state
commissioner
shall
direct
the
deputy
of
23
the
county
commissioner
to
oversee
the
functions
of
the
office
24
until
the
suspension
is
revoked
or
the
office
is
vacated
and
a
25
successor
is
elected.
The
state
commissioner
may
direct
the
26
state
commissioner’s
staff
to
assist
in
the
performance
of
the
27
duties
of
the
county
commissioner.
28
Sec.
8.
Section
39A.6,
Code
2021,
is
amended
by
adding
the
29
following
new
subsection:
30
NEW
SUBSECTION
.
4.
Upon
issuing
a
technical
infraction,
31
the
state
commissioner
shall
immediately
inform
the
attorney
32
general
and
relevant
county
attorney
if
the
apparent
violation
33
constitutes
or
may
constitute
election
misconduct
under
this
34
chapter.
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Sec.
9.
NEW
SECTION
.
39A.7
Election
misconduct
——
1
investigation.
2
1.
The
attorney
general
or
county
attorney
shall
3
investigate
allegations
of
election
misconduct
reported
to
the
4
attorney
general
or
county
attorney.
Election
misconduct
by
an
5
election
official
shall
also
be
investigated
for
prosecution
6
under
chapter
721.
7
2.
Upon
the
completion
of
an
investigation
required
by
this
8
section,
the
attorney
general
or
county
attorney
shall
submit
9
the
results
of
the
investigation
to
the
state
commissioner
and
10
explain
whether
the
attorney
general
or
county
attorney
will
11
pursue
charges.
12
Sec.
10.
Section
43.20,
subsection
1,
Code
2021,
is
amended
13
by
striking
the
subsection
and
inserting
in
lieu
thereof
the
14
following:
15
1.
Nomination
papers
shall
be
signed
by
eligible
electors
as
16
provided
in
section
45.1.
17
Sec.
11.
Section
43.20,
subsection
2,
Code
2021,
is
amended
18
by
striking
the
subsection.
19
Sec.
12.
Section
44.1,
Code
2021,
is
amended
to
read
as
20
follows:
21
44.1
Political
nonparty
Nonparty
political
organizations.
22
1.
Any
convention
or
caucus
of
eligible
electors
23
representing
a
political
organization
which
is
not
a
political
24
party
as
defined
by
law,
may,
for
the
state,
or
for
any
25
division
or
municipality
thereof,
or
for
any
county,
or
for
26
any
subdivision
thereof,
for
which
such
convention
or
caucus
27
is
held,
make
one
nomination
of
a
candidate
for
each
office
to
28
be
filled
therein
at
the
general
election.
However,
in
order
29
to
qualify
for
any
nomination
made
for
a
statewide
elective
30
office
by
such
a
political
organization
there
shall
be
in
31
attendance
at
the
convention
or
caucus
where
the
nomination
32
is
made
a
minimum
of
two
hundred
fifty
five
hundred
eligible
33
electors
including
at
least
one
eligible
elector
from
each
of
34
twenty-five
counties.
In
order
to
qualify
for
any
nomination
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to
the
office
of
United
States
representative
there
shall
be
1
in
attendance
at
the
convention
or
caucus
where
the
nomination
2
is
made
a
minimum
of
fifty
two
hundred
eligible
electors
who
3
are
residents
of
the
congressional
district
including
at
least
4
one
eligible
elector
from
each
of
at
least
one-half
of
the
5
counties
of
the
congressional
district.
In
order
to
qualify
6
for
any
nomination
to
an
office
to
be
filled
by
the
voters
7
of
a
county
or
of
a
city
there
shall
be
in
attendance
at
the
8
convention
or
caucus
where
the
nomination
is
made
a
minimum
of
9
ten
twenty
eligible
electors
who
are
residents
of
the
county
10
or
city,
as
the
case
may
be,
including
at
least
one
eligible
11
elector
from
at
least
one-half
of
the
voting
precincts
in
that
12
county
or
city.
In
order
to
qualify
for
any
nomination
made
13
for
the
general
assembly
there
shall
be
in
attendance
at
the
14
convention
or
caucus
where
the
nomination
is
made
a
minimum
15
of
ten
twenty-five
eligible
electors
who
are
residents
of
the
16
representative
district
or
twenty
fifty
eligible
electors
who
17
are
residents
of
the
senatorial
district,
as
the
case
may
be,
18
with
at
least
one
eligible
elector
from
one-half
of
the
voting
19
precincts
in
the
district
in
each
case.
The
names
of
all
20
delegates
in
attendance
at
such
convention
or
caucus
and
such
21
fact
shall
be
certified
to
the
state
commissioner
together
with
22
the
other
certification
requirements
of
this
chapter
.
23
2.
A
candidate
who
has
been
nominated
under
a
political
24
party
under
chapter
43
shall
not
be
eligible
for
nomination
25
under
this
chapter
for
the
same
office
in
the
same
election
26
year.
27
Sec.
13.
Section
45.1,
Code
2021,
is
amended
to
read
as
28
follows:
29
45.1
Nominations
by
petition.
30
1.
Nominations
for
candidates
for
president
and
vice
31
president,
governor
and
lieutenant
governor,
and
for
other
32
statewide
elected
offices
United
States
senator
may
be
made
33
by
nomination
petitions
signed
by
not
less
than
one
thousand
34
five
hundred
eligible
electors
residing
in
not
less
than
ten
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counties
of
the
state
three
thousand
five
hundred
eligible
1
electors,
including
at
least
one
hundred
eligible
electors
each
2
from
at
least
nineteen
counties
of
the
state
.
3
1A.
Nominations
for
candidates
for
statewide
offices
other
4
than
those
listed
in
subsection
1
may
be
made
by
nomination
5
petitions
signed
by
not
less
than
two
thousand
five
hundred
6
eligible
electors,
including
at
least
seventy-seven
eligible
7
electors
from
not
less
than
eighteen
counties
of
the
state.
8
2.
Nominations
for
candidates
for
a
representative
in
9
the
United
States
house
of
representatives
may
be
made
by
10
nomination
petitions
signed
by
not
less
than
the
number
of
11
eligible
electors
equal
to
the
number
of
signatures
required
in
12
subsection
1
divided
by
the
number
of
congressional
districts.
13
Signers
of
the
petition
shall
be
eligible
electors
who
are
14
residents
of
the
congressional
district
one
thousand
seven
15
hundred
twenty-six
eligible
electors
who
are
residents
of
the
16
congressional
district,
including
at
least
forty-seven
eligible
17
electors
each
from
at
least
one-half
of
the
counties
in
the
18
congressional
district
.
19
3.
Nominations
for
candidates
for
the
state
senate
may
20
be
made
by
nomination
petitions
signed
by
not
less
than
one
21
hundred
eligible
electors
who
are
residents
of
the
senate
22
district.
23
4.
Nominations
for
candidates
for
the
state
house
of
24
representatives
may
be
made
by
nomination
petitions
signed
by
25
not
less
than
fifty
eligible
electors
who
are
residents
of
the
26
representative
district.
27
5.
Nominations
for
candidates
for
offices
filled
by
the
28
voters
of
a
whole
county
may
be
made
by
nomination
petitions
29
signed
by
not
less
than
one
hundred
fifty
eligible
electors
who
30
are
residents
of
the
county
equal
in
number
to
at
least
one
31
percent
of
the
number
of
registered
voters
in
the
county
on
32
July
1
in
the
year
preceding
the
year
in
which
the
office
will
33
appear
on
the
ballot,
or
by
at
least
two
hundred
fifty
eligible
34
electors
who
are
residents
of
the
county,
whichever
is
less
.
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6.
Nominations
for
candidates
for
the
office
of
county
1
supervisor
elected
by
the
voters
of
a
supervisor
district
2
may
be
made
by
nomination
petitions
signed
by
not
less
than
3
one
hundred
fifty
eligible
electors
who
are
residents
of
the
4
supervisor
district
equal
in
number
to
at
least
one
percent
5
of
the
number
of
registered
voters
in
the
supervisor
district
6
on
July
1
in
the
year
preceding
the
year
in
which
the
office
7
will
appear
on
the
ballot,
or
by
at
least
one
hundred
fifty
8
eligible
electors
who
are
residents
of
the
supervisor
district,
9
whichever
is
less
.
10
7.
a.
Nomination
papers
for
the
offices
of
president
and
11
vice
president
shall
include
the
names
of
the
candidates
for
12
both
offices
on
each
page
of
the
petition.
A
certificate
13
listing
the
names
of
the
candidates
for
presidential
electors,
14
one
from
each
congressional
district
and
two
from
the
state
at
15
large,
shall
be
filed
in
the
state
commissioner’s
office
at
the
16
same
time
the
nomination
papers
are
filed.
17
b.
Nomination
papers
for
the
offices
of
governor
and
18
lieutenant
governor
shall
include
the
names
of
candidates
for
19
both
offices
on
each
page
of
the
petition.
Nomination
papers
20
for
other
statewide
elected
offices
and
all
other
offices
shall
21
include
the
name
of
the
candidate
on
each
page
of
the
petition.
22
8.
Nominations
for
candidates
for
elective
offices
in
23
cities
where
the
council
has
adopted
nominations
under
this
24
chapter
may
be
submitted
as
follows:
25
a.
Except
as
otherwise
provided
in
subsection
9
,
in
cities
26
having
a
population
of
three
thousand
five
hundred
twenty
27
thousand
or
greater
according
to
the
most
recent
federal
28
decennial
census,
nominations
may
be
made
by
nomination
papers
29
signed
by
not
less
than
twenty-five
one
hundred
eligible
30
electors
who
are
residents
of
the
city
or
ward.
31
b.
In
cities
having
a
population
of
one
hundred
five
32
thousand
or
greater,
but
less
than
three
thousand
five
hundred
33
twenty
thousand
,
according
to
the
most
recent
federal
decennial
34
census,
nominations
may
be
made
by
nomination
papers
signed
by
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not
less
than
ten
fifty
eligible
electors
who
are
residents
of
1
the
city
or
ward.
2
c.
In
cities
having
a
population
of
less
than
one
hundred
3
one
thousand
or
greater,
but
less
than
five
thousand,
according
4
to
the
most
recent
federal
decennial
census,
nominations
may
5
be
made
by
nomination
papers
signed
by
not
less
than
five
6
twenty-five
eligible
electors
who
are
residents
of
the
city.
7
d.
In
cities
having
a
population
of
less
than
one
thousand
8
according
to
the
most
recent
decennial
census,
nominations
9
may
be
made
by
nomination
papers
signed
by
not
less
than
ten
10
eligible
electors
who
are
residents
of
the
city.
11
9.
Nominations
for
candidates,
other
than
partisan
12
candidates,
for
elective
offices
in
special
charter
cities
13
subject
to
section
43.112
may
be
submitted
as
follows:
14
a.
For
the
office
of
mayor
,
and
alderman
at
large,
15
nominations
and
ward
alderman
in
special
charter
cities
subject
16
to
the
provisions
of
section
43.112
may
be
made
by
nomination
17
papers
signed
by
not
less
than
one
hundred
eligible
electors
18
residing
in
the
city
equal
in
number
to
at
least
two
percent
of
19
the
total
vote
received
by
all
candidates
for
mayor
at
the
last
20
preceding
city
election
.
21
b.
For
the
office
of
ward
alderman,
nominations
may
be
made
22
by
nomination
papers
signed
by
eligible
electors
residing
in
23
the
ward
equal
in
number
to
at
least
two
percent
of
the
total
24
vote
received
by
all
candidates
for
ward
alderman
in
that
ward
25
at
the
last
preceding
city
election.
26
Sec.
14.
Section
47.1,
subsection
1,
Code
2021,
is
amended
27
to
read
as
follows:
28
1.
The
secretary
of
state
is
designated
as
the
state
29
commissioner
of
elections
and
shall
supervise
the
activities
of
30
the
county
commissioners
of
elections.
There
is
established
31
within
the
office
of
the
secretary
of
state
a
division
of
32
elections
which
shall
be
under
the
direction
of
the
state
33
commissioner
of
elections.
The
state
commissioner
of
34
elections
may
appoint
a
person
to
be
in
charge
of
the
division
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of
elections
who
shall
perform
the
duties
assigned
by
the
1
state
commissioner
of
elections.
The
state
commissioner
of
2
elections
shall
prescribe
uniform
election
practices
and
3
procedures,
shall
prescribe
the
necessary
forms
required
4
for
the
conduct
of
elections,
shall
assign
a
number
to
each
5
proposed
constitutional
amendment
and
statewide
public
measure
6
for
identification
purposes,
and
shall
adopt
rules,
pursuant
to
7
chapter
17A
,
to
carry
out
this
section
.
The
state
commissioner
8
of
elections
may
issue
guidance
that
is
not
subject
to
the
9
rulemaking
process
to
clarify
election
laws
and
rules.
10
Sec.
15.
Section
47.2,
subsection
1,
Code
2021,
is
amended
11
to
read
as
follows:
12
1.
The
county
auditor
of
each
county
is
designated
as
the
13
county
commissioner
of
elections
in
each
county.
The
county
14
commissioner
of
elections
shall
conduct
voter
registration
15
pursuant
to
chapter
48A
and
conduct
all
elections
within
the
16
county.
The
county
commissioner
of
elections
does
not
possess
17
home
rule
powers
with
respect
to
the
exercise
of
powers
or
18
duties
related
to
the
conduct
of
elections
prescribed
by
19
statute
or
rule,
or
guidance
issued
pursuant
to
section
47.1.
20
Sec.
16.
Section
47.7,
subsection
2,
Code
2021,
is
amended
21
by
adding
the
following
new
paragraph:
22
NEW
PARAGRAPH
.
f.
(1)
The
state
registrar
shall,
in
the
23
first
quarter
of
each
calendar
year,
conduct
a
verification
24
of
all
voters
in
the
statewide
voter
registration
file,
which
25
shall
include
cross-referencing
the
records
in
the
statewide
26
voter
registration
file
with
similar
records
maintained
by
27
other
states.
The
state
registrar
of
voters
shall
cancel
the
28
registration
of
a
voter
found
to
be
ineligible
pursuant
to
29
section
48A.30.
The
state
registrar
shall
submit
a
report
30
to
the
general
assembly
by
April
30
of
each
year
regarding
31
the
number
of
voter
registrations
canceled
pursuant
to
this
32
paragraph.
The
state
registrar
shall
also
publish
this
report
33
on
the
internet
site
of
the
state
registrar.
34
(2)
The
state
registrar
may
contract
with
a
third-party
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vendor
to
develop
or
provide
a
program
to
allow
the
state
1
registrar
to
verify
the
status
of
records
in
the
statewide
2
voter
registration
file
and
identify
ineligible
voters
on
an
3
ongoing
basis.
4
Sec.
17.
Section
47.7,
Code
2021,
is
amended
by
adding
the
5
following
new
subsection:
6
NEW
SUBSECTION
.
3.
The
state
registrar
of
voters
shall
use
7
information
from
the
electronic
registration
information
center
8
to
update
information
in
the
statewide
voter
registration
9
system,
including
but
not
limited
to
the
following
reports:
10
a.
In-state
duplicates.
11
b.
In-state
updates.
12
c.
Cross-state
matches.
13
d.
Deceased.
14
e.
Eligible
but
unregistered.
15
f.
National
change
of
address.
16
Sec.
18.
Section
48A.28,
subsections
1
and
2,
Code
2021,
are
17
amended
to
read
as
follows:
18
1.
Each
commissioner
shall
conduct
a
systematic
program
19
that
makes
a
reasonable
effort
to
remove
from
the
official
list
20
of
registered
voters
the
names
of
registered
voters
who
have
21
changed
residence
from
their
registration
addresses.
Either
or
22
both
of
the
methods
described
in
this
section
may
be
used.
23
2.
a.
A
commissioner
may
shall
participate
in
the
United
24
States
postal
service
national
change
of
address
program,
as
25
provided
in
section
48A.27
.
The
state
voter
registration
26
commission
shall
adopt
rules
establishing
specific
requirements
27
for
participation
and
use
of
the
national
change
of
address
28
program.
29
b.
A
commissioner
participating
in
the
national
change
of
30
address
program,
in
the
first
quarter
of
each
calendar
year,
31
shall
send
a
notice
and
preaddressed,
postage
paid
return
card
32
by
forwardable
mail
to
each
registered
voter
whose
name
was
33
not
reported
by
the
national
change
of
address
program
and
who
34
has
not
voted
in
two
or
more
consecutive
general
elections
the
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most
recent
general
election
and
has
not
registered
again,
or
1
who
has
not
reported
a
change
to
an
existing
registration
,
or
2
who
has
not
responded
to
a
notice
from
the
commissioner
or
3
registrar
during
the
period
between
and
following
the
previous
4
two
general
elections
.
Registered
voters
receiving
such
5
notice
shall
be
marked
inactive.
The
form
and
language
of
the
6
notice
and
return
card
shall
be
specified
by
the
state
voter
7
registration
commission
by
rule.
A
registered
voter
shall
not
8
be
sent
a
notice
and
return
card
under
this
subsection
more
9
frequently
than
once
in
a
four-year
period.
10
Sec.
19.
Section
48A.28,
subsection
3,
Code
2021,
is
amended
11
by
striking
the
subsection.
12
Sec.
20.
Section
48A.30,
subsection
1,
paragraph
g,
Code
13
2021,
is
amended
to
read
as
follows:
14
g.
The
registered
voter’s
registration
record
has
been
15
inactive
pursuant
to
section
48A.28
or
48A.29
for
two
16
successive
general
elections.
17
Sec.
21.
Section
48A.37,
subsection
2,
Code
2021,
is
amended
18
to
read
as
follows:
19
2.
Electronic
records
shall
include
a
status
code
20
designating
whether
the
records
are
active,
inactive,
21
incomplete,
pending,
or
canceled.
Inactive
records
are
records
22
of
registered
voters
to
whom
notices
have
been
sent
pursuant
23
to
section
48A.28,
subsection
3,
and
who
have
not
returned
24
the
card
or
otherwise
responded
to
the
notice,
and
those
25
records
have
been
designated
inactive
pursuant
to
section
26
48A.29
.
Inactive
records
are
also
records
of
registered
27
voters
to
whom
notices
have
been
sent
pursuant
to
section
28
48A.26A
and
who
have
not
responded
to
the
notice.
Incomplete
29
records
are
records
missing
required
information
pursuant
to
30
section
48A.11,
subsection
8
.
Pending
records
are
records
of
31
applicants
whose
applications
have
not
been
verified
pursuant
32
to
section
48A.25A
.
Canceled
records
are
records
that
have
33
been
canceled
pursuant
to
section
48A.30
.
All
other
records
34
are
active
records.
An
inactive
record
shall
be
made
active
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when
the
registered
voter
requests
an
absentee
ballot,
votes
1
at
an
election,
registers
again,
or
reports
a
change
of
name,
2
address,
telephone
number,
or
political
party
or
organization
3
affiliation.
An
incomplete
record
shall
be
made
active
when
4
a
completed
application
is
received
from
the
applicant
and
5
verified
pursuant
to
section
48A.25A
.
A
pending
record
shall
6
be
made
active
upon
verification
or
upon
the
voter
providing
7
identification
pursuant
to
section
48A.8
.
8
Sec.
22.
NEW
SECTION
.
48A.40
Voter
list
maintenance
9
reports.
10
1.
The
commissioner
of
registration
shall
annually
11
submit
to
the
state
registrar
of
voters
a
report
regarding
12
the
number
of
voter
registration
records
marked
inactive
or
13
canceled
pursuant
to
sections
48A.28
through
48A.30.
The
state
14
registrar
of
voters
shall
publish
such
reports
on
the
internet
15
site
of
the
state
registrar
of
voters.
16
2.
The
state
registrar
of
voters
shall
determine
by
rule
the
17
form
and
submission
deadline
of
reports
submitted
pursuant
to
18
subsection
1.
19
Sec.
23.
NEW
SECTION
.
48A.41
Voter
registration
maintenance
20
audits
——
investigations.
21
1.
The
state
registrar
of
voters
shall
conduct
an
audit
22
of
voter
registration
maintenance
by
each
commissioner
of
23
registration
in
April
of
each
odd-numbered
year,
on
a
schedule
24
determined
by
the
commissioner.
25
2.
If
in
the
course
of
an
audit
under
this
section
the
26
state
registrar
of
voters
finds
that
a
commissioner
of
27
registration
has
failed
to
adequately
perform
required
voter
28
list
maintenance,
the
state
registrar
of
voters
shall
submit
29
the
audit
to
the
relevant
county
attorney
and
attorney
general
30
within
twenty-four
hours
for
investigation
of
a
violation
of
31
section
39A.3,
subsection
1,
paragraph
“b”
,
subparagraph
(9),
32
or
other
provision
of
law.
33
Sec.
24.
NEW
SECTION
.
49.2
Oversight
by
the
state
34
commissioner.
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The
state
commissioner,
or
a
designee
of
the
state
1
commissioner,
may,
at
the
discretion
of
the
state
commissioner,
2
oversee
the
activities
of
a
county
commissioner
of
elections
3
during
a
period
beginning
sixty
days
before
an
election
and
4
ending
sixty
days
after
an
election.
For
the
purposes
of
this
5
section,
“oversee”
means
to
observe
election-related
activity,
6
correct
any
activity
not
in
accordance
with
law,
and
issue
a
7
written
notice
and
instructions
pursuant
to
section
39A.6
for
8
any
technical
infractions
that
are
observed.
9
Sec.
25.
Section
49.13,
Code
2021,
is
amended
by
adding
the
10
following
new
subsection:
11
NEW
SUBSECTION
.
7.
A
person
serving
on
a
precinct
election
12
board
pursuant
to
subsection
2
or
3
who
changes
the
political
13
party
of
which
the
person
is
a
member
within
thirty
days
before
14
an
election
shall
be
immediately
removed
from
the
board
and
a
15
substitute
shall
be
appointed
pursuant
to
section
49.14.
16
Sec.
26.
Section
49.77,
subsection
2,
Code
2021,
is
amended
17
to
read
as
follows:
18
2.
If
the
declaration
of
eligibility
is
not
printed
on
19
each
page
of
the
election
register,
any
of
those
persons
20
present
pursuant
to
section
49.104,
subsection
2,
3,
5,
or
6
,
21
1,
paragraph
“b”
,
“c”
,
“e”
,
or
“f”
,
may
upon
request
view
the
22
signed
declarations
of
eligibility
and
may
review
the
signed
23
declarations
on
file
so
long
as
the
person
does
not
interfere
24
with
the
functions
of
the
precinct
election
officials.
If
the
25
declaration
of
eligibility
is
printed
on
the
election
register,
26
voters
shall
also
sign
a
voter
roster
which
the
precinct
27
election
official
shall
make
available
for
viewing.
Any
of
28
those
persons
present
pursuant
to
section
49.104,
subsection
2,
29
3,
5,
or
6
,
1,
paragraph
“b”
,
“c”
,
“e”
,
or
“f”
,
may
upon
request
30
view
the
roster
of
those
voters
who
have
signed
declarations
of
31
eligibility,
so
long
as
the
person
does
not
interfere
with
the
32
functions
of
the
precinct
election
officials.
33
Sec.
27.
Section
49.90,
Code
2021,
is
amended
to
read
as
34
follows:
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49.90
Assisting
voter.
1
Any
voter
who
may
declare
upon
oath
that
the
voter
is
blind,
2
cannot
read
the
English
language,
or
is,
by
reason
of
any
3
physical
disability
other
than
intoxication,
unable
to
cast
a
4
vote
without
assistance,
shall,
upon
request,
be
assisted
by
5
the
two
officers
as
provided
in
section
49.89
,
or
alternatively
6
by
any
other
person
the
voter
may
select
in
casting
the
vote
,
7
except
that
the
voter
shall
not
select
a
person
standing
for
8
election
on
the
ballot
.
The
officers,
or
the
person
selected
9
by
the
voter,
shall
cast
the
vote
of
the
voter
requiring
10
assistance,
and
shall
thereafter
give
no
information
regarding
11
the
vote
cast.
If
any
elector
because
of
a
disability
cannot
12
enter
the
building
where
the
polling
place
for
the
elector’s
13
precinct
of
residence
is
located,
the
two
officers
shall
take
14
a
paper
ballot
to
the
vehicle
occupied
by
the
elector
with
15
a
disability
and
allow
the
elector
to
cast
the
ballot
in
16
the
vehicle.
Ballots
cast
by
voters
with
disabilities
shall
17
be
deposited
in
the
regular
ballot
box,
or
inserted
in
the
18
tabulating
device,
and
counted
in
the
usual
manner.
19
Sec.
28.
Section
49.104,
Code
2021,
is
amended
to
read
as
20
follows:
21
49.104
Persons
permitted
at
polling
places.
22
1.
The
following
persons
shall
be
permitted
to
be
present
at
23
and
in
the
immediate
vicinity
of
the
polling
places,
provided
24
they
do
not
solicit
votes:
25
1.
a.
Any
person
who
is
by
law
authorized
to
perform
or
26
is
charged
with
the
performance
of
official
duties
at
the
27
election.
28
2.
b.
Any
number
of
persons,
not
exceeding
three
at
a
time
29
from
each
political
party
having
candidates
to
be
voted
for
30
at
such
election,
to
act
as
challenging
committees,
who
are
31
appointed
and
accredited
by
the
executive
or
central
committee
32
of
such
political
party
or
organization.
33
3.
c.
Any
number
of
persons
not
exceeding
three
at
a
time
34
from
each
of
such
political
parties,
appointed
and
accredited
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in
the
same
manner
as
prescribed
in
subsection
2
paragraph
1
“b”
for
challenging
committees,
and
any
number
of
persons
2
not
exceeding
three
at
a
time
appointed
as
observers
under
3
subsection
5
paragraph
“e”
,
to
witness
the
counting
of
ballots.
4
4.
d.
Any
peace
officer
assigned
or
called
upon
to
keep
5
order
or
maintain
compliance
with
the
provisions
of
this
6
chapter
,
upon
request
of
the
commissioner
or
of
the
chairperson
7
of
the
precinct
election
board.
8
5.
e.
One
observer
at
a
time
representing
any
nonparty
9
political
organization,
any
candidate
nominated
by
petition
10
pursuant
to
chapter
45
,
or
any
other
nonpartisan
candidate
11
in
a
city
or
school
election,
appearing
on
the
ballot
of
the
12
election
in
progress.
Candidates
who
send
observers
to
the
13
polls
shall
provide
each
observer
with
a
letter
of
appointment
14
in
the
form
prescribed
by
the
state
commissioner.
15
6.
f.
Any
persons
expressing
an
interest
in
a
ballot
issue
16
to
be
voted
upon
at
an
election
except
a
general
or
primary
17
election.
Any
such
person
shall
file
a
notice
of
intent
to
18
serve
as
an
observer
with
the
commissioner
before
election
19
day.
If
more
than
three
persons
file
a
notice
of
intent
to
20
serve
at
the
same
time
with
respect
to
ballot
issues
at
an
21
election,
the
commissioner
shall
appoint
from
those
submitting
22
a
notice
of
intent
the
three
persons
who
may
serve
at
that
time
23
as
observers,
and
shall
provide
a
schedule
to
all
persons
who
24
filed
notices
of
intent.
The
appointees,
whenever
possible,
25
shall
include
both
opponents
and
proponents
of
the
ballot
26
issues.
27
7.
g.
Any
person
authorized
by
the
commissioner,
in
28
consultation
with
the
secretary
of
state,
for
the
purposes
of
29
conducting
and
attending
educational
voting
programs.
30
8.
h.
Reporters,
photographers,
and
other
staff
31
representing
the
news
media.
However,
representatives
of
the
32
news
media,
while
present
at
or
in
the
immediate
vicinity
of
33
the
polling
places,
shall
not
interfere
with
the
election
34
process
in
any
way.
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2.
A
precinct
election
official
or
county
commissioner
1
shall
not
obstruct
or
interfere
with
a
person
fulfilling
that
2
person’s
role
or
performing
that
person’s
duty
under
subsection
3
1.
A
person
who
violates
this
subsection
is
guilty
of
election
4
misconduct
in
the
third
degree.
5
Sec.
29.
NEW
SECTION
.
50.52
Enforcement.
6
Members
of
local
law
enforcement
agencies
and
the
state
7
patrol
are
authorized
to
take
all
reasonable
actions
to
prevent
8
violations
of
this
chapter.
9
Sec.
30.
Section
53.2,
subsection
1,
Code
2021,
is
amended
10
to
read
as
follows:
11
1.
a.
Any
registered
voter,
under
the
circumstances
12
specified
in
section
53.1
,
may
on
any
day,
except
election
day,
13
and
not
more
than
one
hundred
twenty
seventy
days
prior
to
the
14
date
of
the
election,
apply
in
person
for
an
absentee
ballot
15
at
the
commissioner’s
office
or
at
any
location
designated
by
16
the
commissioner.
However,
for
those
elections
in
which
the
17
commissioner
directs
the
polls
be
opened
at
noon
pursuant
to
18
section
49.73
,
a
voter
may
apply
in
person
for
an
absentee
19
ballot
at
the
commissioner’s
office
from
8:00
a.m.
until
11:00
20
a.m.
on
election
day.
21
b.
A
registered
voter
may
make
written
application
to
the
22
commissioner
for
an
absentee
ballot.
A
written
application
23
for
an
absentee
ballot
must
be
received
by
the
commissioner
no
24
later
than
5:00
p.m.
on
the
same
day
as
the
voter
registration
25
deadline
provided
in
section
48A.9
for
the
election
for
which
26
the
ballot
is
requested,
except
when
the
absentee
ballot
is
27
requested
and
voted
at
the
commissioner’s
office
pursuant
to
28
section
53.10
.
A
written
application
for
an
absentee
ballot
29
delivered
to
the
commissioner
and
received
by
the
commissioner
30
more
than
one
hundred
twenty
seventy
days
prior
to
the
date
of
31
the
election
shall
be
returned
to
the
voter
with
a
notification
32
of
the
date
when
the
applications
will
be
accepted.
33
c.
The
commissioner
shall
not
send
an
absentee
ballot
34
application
to
a
voter.
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d.
In
the
event
of
a
public
health
disaster
declared
by
the
1
governor
pursuant
to
section
29C.6,
the
general
assembly
may
by
2
resolution
direct
the
state
commissioner
to
send
an
absentee
3
ballot
application
to
each
registered
voter
prior
to
a
primary
4
or
general
election
held
in
an
even-numbered
year.
If
the
5
general
assembly
is
not
in
session,
the
legislative
council
may
6
so
direct
the
state
commissioner
by
a
majority
vote.
7
Sec.
31.
Section
53.2,
subsection
2,
Code
2021,
is
amended
8
by
adding
the
following
new
paragraph:
9
NEW
PARAGRAPH
.
d.
No
absentee
ballot
application
shall
be
10
provided
to
a
registered
voter
with
any
field
prefilled,
except
11
that
the
absentee
ballot
application
may
have
the
fields
for
12
the
type
and
date
of
the
election
prefilled.
13
Sec.
32.
Section
53.2,
Code
2021,
is
amended
by
adding
the
14
following
new
subsection:
15
NEW
SUBSECTION
.
11.
If
an
application
for
an
absentee
16
ballot
is
received
between
5:00
p.m.
on
the
eleventh
day
17
before
an
election
and
5:00
p.m.
on
the
seventh
day
before
18
an
election,
the
commissioner
shall
notify
the
registered
19
voter
within
twenty-four
hours
that
the
absentee
ballot
20
request
cannot
be
processed
and
notify
the
registered
voter
21
of
ways
the
registered
voter
may
participate
in
the
election.
22
A
notification
sent
pursuant
to
this
subsection
shall
be
23
transmitted
in
the
same
manner
as
a
notification
transmitted
24
pursuant
to
subsection
4,
paragraph
“b”
.
25
Sec.
33.
NEW
SECTION
.
53.4
Absentee
ballots
——
reports.
26
1.
Beginning
on
the
first
day
that
absentee
ballots
are
27
mailed
in
each
primary
and
general
election
and
each
special
28
election
pursuant
to
section
69.14,
and
through
election
29
day,
the
state
commissioner
shall
publish
a
report
regarding
30
absentee
ballots
on
a
daily
basis.
The
report
shall
include,
31
at
a
minimum,
all
of
the
following
information:
32
a.
The
number
of
absentee
ballot
request
forms
received
by
33
a
county
commissioner.
34
b.
The
number
of
absentee
ballots
sent
by
a
county
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commissioner.
1
c.
The
total
number
of
absentee
ballots
received
by
a
county
2
commissioner,
and
the
total
delivered
by
each
of
the
following
3
methods:
4
(1)
Mail.
5
(2)
Delivery
to
a
drop
box.
6
(3)
Delivery
by
hand.
7
(4)
Voted
in
person
at
a
satellite
location.
8
2.
Each
county
commissioner
shall
provide
all
information
9
necessary
under
this
section
to
the
state
commissioner
in
a
10
manner
prescribed
by
the
state
commissioner.
11
Sec.
34.
Section
53.8,
subsection
1,
paragraph
a,
12
unnumbered
paragraph
1,
Code
2021,
is
amended
to
read
as
13
follows:
14
Upon
receipt
of
an
application
for
an
absentee
ballot
and
15
immediately
after
the
absentee
ballots
are
printed,
but
not
16
more
than
twenty-nine
eighteen
days
before
the
election,
the
17
commissioner
shall
mail
an
absentee
ballot
to
the
applicant
18
within
twenty-four
hours,
except
as
otherwise
provided
in
19
subsection
3
.
When
the
United
States
post
office
is
closed
20
in
observance
of
a
federal
holiday
and
is
not
delivering
mail
21
on
the
twenty-ninth
day
before
the
election,
the
first
day
to
22
mail
absentee
ballots
is
the
next
business
day
on
which
mail
23
delivery
is
available.
The
absentee
ballot
shall
be
sent
to
24
the
registered
voter
by
one
of
the
following
methods:
25
Sec.
35.
Section
53.8,
subsection
2,
paragraph
a,
Code
2021,
26
is
amended
to
read
as
follows:
27
a.
The
commissioner
shall
enclose
with
the
absentee
ballot
28
a
statement
informing
the
applicant
that
the
sealed
return
29
envelope
may
be
mailed
to
the
commissioner
by
the
registered
30
voter
or
the
voter’s
designee
,
may
be
returned
to
a
drop
box
31
established
by
the
commissioner
pursuant
to
section
53.17,
32
subsection
1,
by
the
registered
voter
or
the
voter’s
designee,
33
only
if
the
commissioner
has
established
such
a
drop
box,
or
34
may
be
personally
delivered
to
the
commissioner’s
office
by
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the
registered
voter
or
the
voter’s
designee.
The
statement
1
shall
also
inform
the
voter
that
the
voter
may
request
that
the
2
voter’s
designee
complete
a
receipt
when
retrieving
the
ballot
3
from
the
voter.
A
blank
receipt
shall
be
enclosed
with
the
4
absentee
ballot.
5
Sec.
36.
Section
53.8,
Code
2021,
is
amended
by
adding
the
6
following
new
subsection:
7
NEW
SUBSECTION
.
4.
The
commissioner
and
the
state
8
commissioner
shall
not
mail
an
absentee
ballot
to
a
person
who
9
has
not
submitted
an
application
for
an
absentee
ballot.
10
Sec.
37.
Section
53.10,
subsection
1,
Code
2021,
is
amended
11
to
read
as
follows:
12
1.
Not
more
than
twenty-nine
eighteen
days
before
the
13
date
of
the
primary
election
or
the
general
election,
the
14
commissioner
shall
provide
facilities
for
absentee
voting
in
15
person
at
the
commissioner’s
office.
This
service
shall
also
16
be
provided
for
other
elections
as
soon
as
the
ballots
are
17
ready,
but
in
no
case
shall
absentee
ballots
be
available
under
18
this
section
more
than
twenty-nine
eighteen
days
before
an
19
election.
20
Sec.
38.
Section
53.11,
subsection
1,
paragraph
a,
Code
21
2021,
is
amended
to
read
as
follows:
22
a.
Not
more
than
twenty-nine
eighteen
days
before
the
date
23
of
an
election,
satellite
absentee
voting
stations
may
be
24
established
throughout
the
cities
and
county
at
the
direction
25
of
the
commissioner
and
shall
be
established
upon
receipt
26
of
a
petition
signed
by
not
less
than
one
hundred
eligible
27
electors
requesting
that
a
satellite
absentee
voting
station
28
be
established
at
a
location
to
be
described
on
the
petition.
29
However,
if
a
special
election
is
scheduled
in
the
county
on
a
30
date
that
falls
between
the
date
of
the
regular
city
election
31
and
the
date
of
the
city
runoff
election,
the
commissioner
is
32
not
required
to
establish
a
satellite
absentee
voting
station
33
for
the
city
runoff
election.
34
Sec.
39.
Section
53.17,
subsection
1,
paragraph
b,
Code
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2021,
is
amended
to
read
as
follows:
1
b.
The
sealed
return
envelope
may
be
mailed
to
the
2
commissioner
by
the
registered
voter
or
by
the
voter’s
3
designee.
If
mailed
by
the
voter’s
designee,
the
envelope
4
must
be
mailed
within
seventy-two
hours
of
retrieving
it
from
5
the
voter
or
within
time
to
be
postmarked
or,
if
applicable,
6
to
have
the
postal
service
barcode
traced
to
a
date
of
entry
7
into
the
federal
mail
system
not
later
than
the
day
before
the
8
election,
as
provided
in
section
53.17A
,
whichever
is
earlier.
9
Sec.
40.
Section
53.17,
subsection
1,
Code
2021,
is
amended
10
by
adding
the
following
new
paragraph:
11
NEW
PARAGRAPH
.
c.
The
sealed
return
envelope
may
be
12
delivered
by
a
person
not
prohibited
to
collect
and
deliver
a
13
completed
ballot
pursuant
to
section
53.33
to
a
ballot
drop
14
box
established
by
the
commissioner
no
later
than
the
time
the
15
polls
are
closed
on
election
day.
However,
if
delivered
by
16
the
voter’s
designee,
the
envelope
shall
be
delivered
within
17
seventy-two
hours
of
retrieving
it
from
the
voter
or
before
the
18
closing
of
the
polls
on
election
day,
whichever
is
earlier.
A
19
commissioner
is
not
required
to
establish
a
ballot
drop
box.
A
20
ballot
drop
box
must
meet
all
of
the
following
requirements:
21
(1)
A
commissioner
shall
not
establish
more
than
one
22
ballot
drop
box,
which
shall
be
located
at
the
office
of
23
the
commissioner,
or
on
property
owned
and
maintained
by
the
24
county
that
directly
surrounds
the
building
where
the
office
25
is
located.
For
the
purposes
of
this
subparagraph,
“office
of
26
the
commissioner”
means
a
location
where
a
voter
may
receive
27
services
pursuant
to
section
48A.17,
50.20,
53.10,
or
53.18.
28
(2)
The
ballot
drop
box
shall
not
be
used
for
any
purpose
29
other
than
the
collection
of
absentee
ballots.
30
(3)
The
commissioner
shall
implement
all
reasonable
31
and
necessary
measures
to
ensure
that
the
ballot
drop
box
32
is
accessible
and
secure.
Security
measures
may
include
33
placing
the
ballot
drop
box
in
a
place
regularly
viewed
by
the
34
commissioner
or
the
commissioner’s
staff.
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(4)
A
video
surveillance
system
shall
be
used
to
monitor
all
1
activity
at
the
ballot
drop
box
at
all
times
while
the
ballot
2
drop
box
is
in
place.
The
system
shall
create
a
recording,
3
which
shall
be
reviewed
by
the
state
commissioner,
county
4
attorney,
and
law
enforcement
in
the
event
that
misconduct
5
occurs.
6
(5)
A
ballot
drop
box
shall
be
available
no
sooner
than
the
7
time
that
absentee
ballots
are
allowed
to
be
mailed
pursuant
8
to
section
53.8.
The
ballot
drop
box
shall
be
removed
or
9
restricted
from
accepting
deliveries
immediately
upon
the
10
closure
of
polls
on
election
day.
11
(6)
While
available,
a
ballot
drop
box
shall
be
securely
12
fastened
to
a
stationary
surface
or
an
immovable
object.
13
(7)
The
ballot
drop
box
shall
be
secured
by
a
lock
and
shall
14
include
a
tamper-evident
seal.
Only
the
commissioner
or
an
15
employee
of
the
commissioner
shall
have
access
to
the
means
to
16
unfasten
the
lock.
17
(8)
Materials
delivered
to
the
ballot
drop
box
shall
be
18
retrieved
in
an
expeditious
manner,
but
no
less
often
than
four
19
times
per
day.
20
(9)
The
commissioner
shall
maintain
a
log
of
each
time
21
materials
are
retrieved
from
the
ballot
drop
box,
including
the
22
date
and
time
materials
were
retrieved,
and
the
name
of
the
23
person
who
retrieved
the
materials.
The
commissioner
or
the
24
commissioner’s
employee
shall
record
on
the
ballot,
near
the
25
portion
of
the
envelope
including
the
affidavit
signed
by
the
26
voter,
that
the
materials
were
retrieved
from
a
drop
box,
the
27
date
and
time
of
the
retrieval,
and
the
initials
of
the
person
28
who
retrieved
the
materials.
29
(10)
A
ballot
retrieved
from
a
ballot
drop
box
shall
be
30
processed
in
the
same
manner
as
a
ballot
returned
pursuant
to
31
paragraph
“a”
.
32
Sec.
41.
Section
53.17,
subsection
2,
Code
2021,
is
amended
33
to
read
as
follows:
34
2.
In
order
for
the
ballot
to
be
counted,
the
return
35
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envelope
must
be
received
in
the
commissioner’s
office
before
1
the
polls
close
on
election
day
or
be
clearly
postmarked
by
an
2
officially
authorized
postal
service
or
bear
a
postal
service
3
barcode
traceable
to
a
date
of
entry
into
the
federal
mail
4
system
not
later
than
the
day
before
the
election,
as
provided
5
in
section
53.17A
,
and
received
by
the
commissioner
not
later
6
than
noon
on
the
Monday
following
the
election.
7
Sec.
42.
Section
53.17,
subsection
4,
paragraph
f,
Code
8
2021,
is
amended
to
read
as
follows:
9
f.
A
statement
that
the
completed
absentee
ballot
will
10
be
delivered
to
the
commissioner’s
office
within
seventy-two
11
hours
of
retrieving
it
from
the
voter
or
before
the
closing
of
12
the
polls
on
election
day,
whichever
is
earlier,
or
that
the
13
completed
absentee
ballot
will
be
mailed
to
the
commissioner
14
within
seventy-two
hours
of
retrieving
it
from
the
voter
or
15
within
time
to
be
postmarked
or,
if
applicable,
to
have
the
16
postal
service
barcode
traced
to
a
date
of
entry
into
the
17
federal
mail
system
not
later
than
the
day
before
the
election,
18
as
provided
in
section
53.17A
,
whichever
is
earlier.
19
Sec.
43.
Section
53.17,
Code
2021,
is
amended
by
adding
the
20
following
new
subsection:
21
NEW
SUBSECTION
.
5.
For
the
purposes
of
this
section,
22
“voter’s
designee”
means
a
person
not
prohibited
to
collect
and
23
deliver
a
completed
ballot
pursuant
to
section
53.33.
24
Sec.
44.
Section
53.17A,
subsection
2,
paragraphs
a
and
b,
25
Code
2021,
are
amended
by
striking
the
paragraphs.
26
Sec.
45.
Section
53.17A,
subsection
3,
paragraph
b,
Code
27
2021,
is
amended
to
read
as
follows:
28
b.
(1)
If
the
postmark
indicates
that
the
absentee
ballot
29
entered
the
federal
mail
system
by
the
deadline
specified
30
in
section
53.17
or
53.22
,
the
ballot
shall
be
included
for
31
canvass
by
the
absentee
and
special
voters
precinct
board.
32
(2)
If
the
postmark
is
illegible,
missing,
or
dated
on
33
or
after
election
day,
the
The
commissioner
shall
attempt
34
to
verify
the
ballot’s
date
of
entry
into
the
federal
mail
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system
by
querying
the
postal
service
barcode
in
the
tracking
1
information
database.
If
the
tracking
information
database
2
indicates
that
the
absentee
ballot
entered
the
federal
mail
3
system
by
the
deadline
specified
in
section
53.17
or
53.22
,
4
the
ballot
shall
be
included
for
canvass
by
the
absentee
and
5
special
voters
precinct
board.
A
postmark
shall
not
be
used
6
to
verify
the
date
the
absentee
ballot
entered
the
federal
7
mail
system.
The
commissioner
shall
provide
a
report
to
the
8
absentee
and
special
voters
precinct
board
regarding
the
9
information
available
in
the
tracking
information
database.
10
(3)
If
there
is
a
discrepancy
between
the
date
indicated
by
11
the
postmark
and
the
postal
service
barcode,
the
earlier
of
the
12
two
shall
determine
the
date
of
entry
of
the
absentee
ballot
13
into
the
federal
mail
system.
14
(4)
(2)
(a)
If
neither
the
postmark
nor
the
postal
service
15
barcode
indicates
does
not
indicate
that
the
absentee
ballot
16
entered
the
federal
mail
system
by
the
deadline
specified
in
17
section
53.17
or
53.22
,
the
absentee
ballot
shall
be
sent
to
18
the
absentee
and
special
voters
precinct
board
pursuant
to
19
subparagraph
division
(b)
with
the
numeric
value
assigned
to
20
the
postal
service
barcode
and
a
full
report
from
the
tracking
21
information
database.
22
(b)
Up
to
five
absentee
and
special
voters
precinct
board
23
members
from
each
political
party
for
partisan
elections,
24
or
any
two
members
of
the
board
for
nonpartisan
elections,
25
shall
review
the
postal
service
barcode
and
tracking
database
26
information
report
of
each
absentee
ballot
submitted
pursuant
27
to
subparagraph
division
(a)
and
certify
that
the
tracking
28
information
database
report
corresponds
to
the
absentee
ballot
29
by
initialing
the
report
and
the
absentee
ballot
envelope.
30
If
the
board
concludes
that
the
postal
service
barcode
and
31
tracking
information
database
report
verify
that
the
absentee
32
ballot
entered
the
federal
mail
system
by
the
deadline
33
specified
in
section
53.17
or
53.22
,
the
ballot
shall
be
34
counted.
Otherwise,
the
ballot
shall
not
be
counted.
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Sec.
46.
Section
53.18,
subsection
2,
Code
2021,
is
amended
1
to
read
as
follows:
2
2.
a.
If
the
commissioner
receives
the
return
envelope
3
containing
the
completed
absentee
ballot
by
5:00
p.m.
on
the
4
Saturday
before
the
election
for
general
elections
and
by
5:00
5
p.m.
on
the
Friday
before
the
election
for
all
other
elections,
6
the
commissioner
shall
review
the
affidavit
marked
on
the
7
return
envelope,
if
applicable,
for
completeness
or
shall
open
8
the
return
envelope
to
review
the
affidavit
for
completeness.
9
If
the
affidavit
is
incomplete,
the
commissioner
shall,
within
10
twenty-four
hours
of
the
time
the
envelope
was
received,
notify
11
the
voter
of
that
fact
and
that
the
voter
may
complete
the
12
affidavit
in
person
at
the
office
of
the
commissioner
by
5:00
13
p.m.
on
the
day
before
the
election,
vote
a
replacement
ballot
14
in
the
manner
and
within
the
time
period
provided
in
subsection
15
3
,
or
appear
at
the
voter’s
precinct
polling
place
on
election
16
day
and
cast
a
ballot
in
accordance
with
section
53.19,
17
subsection
3
.
If
the
affidavit
lacks
the
signature
of
the
18
registered
voter,
the
commissioner
shall,
within
twenty-four
19
hours
of
the
receipt
of
the
envelope,
notify
the
voter
of
the
20
deficiency
and
inform
the
voter
that
the
voter
may
vote
a
21
replacement
ballot
as
provided
in
subsection
3,
cast
a
ballot
22
as
provided
in
section
53.19,
subsection
3,
or
complete
the
23
affidavit
in
person
at
the
office
of
the
commissioner
not
later
24
than
the
time
polls
close
on
election
day.
25
b.
If
the
commissioner
receives
the
return
envelope
26
containing
the
completed
absentee
ballot
after
the
deadline
27
in
paragraph
“a”
,
the
commissioner
shall
submit
the
affidavit
28
to
the
absentee
and
special
voters
precinct
board
for
review.
29
If
the
absentee
and
special
voters
precinct
determines
that
30
the
affidavit
is
incomplete,
the
commissioner
shall,
within
31
twenty-four
hours
of
the
determination,
notify
the
voter.
If
32
the
affidavit
lacks
the
signature
of
the
registered
voter,
the
33
commissioner
shall
notify
the
voter
that
the
voter
may
complete
34
the
affidavit
in
person
at
the
office
of
the
commissioner
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not
later
than
noon
on
the
Monday
following
the
election,
or
1
if
the
law
authorizing
the
election
specifies
that
the
votes
2
be
canvassed
earlier
than
the
Monday
following
the
election,
3
before
the
canvass
of
the
election.
4
Sec.
47.
Section
53.18,
Code
2021,
is
amended
by
adding
the
5
following
new
subsection:
6
NEW
SUBSECTION
.
04.
For
the
purposes
of
this
section,
a
7
return
envelope
marked
with
the
affidavit
shall
be
considered
8
incomplete
if
the
affidavit
lacks
the
registered
voter’s
9
signature.
A
signature
or
marking
made
in
accordance
with
10
section
39.3,
subsection
17,
shall
not
cause
an
affidavit
to
be
11
considered
incomplete.
12
Sec.
48.
Section
53.19,
subsection
1,
Code
2021,
is
amended
13
to
read
as
follows:
14
1.
The
commissioner
shall
maintain
a
list
of
the
absentee
15
ballots
provided
to
registered
voters,
the
serial
number
16
appearing
on
the
unsealed
envelope,
the
date
the
application
17
for
the
absentee
ballot
was
received,
and
the
date
the
absentee
18
ballot
was
sent
to
the
registered
voter
requesting
the
absentee
19
ballot
,
the
date
the
absentee
ballot
was
received
by
the
20
commissioner,
the
date
the
absentee
ballot
outer
envelope
21
was
opened,
and
whether
the
ballot
was
delivered
by
mail,
22
in
person,
or
cast
in
person
at
a
satellite
location.
The
23
information
under
this
subsection
shall
be
reported
separately
24
at
the
same
time
as
the
information
reported
under
section
25
53.30,
subsection
3
.
26
Sec.
49.
Section
53.22,
subsection
3,
Code
2021,
is
amended
27
to
read
as
follows:
28
3.
Any
registered
voter
who
becomes
a
patient,
tenant,
or
29
resident
of
a
hospital,
assisted
living
program,
or
health
care
30
facility
in
the
county
where
the
voter
is
registered
to
vote
31
within
three
days
prior
to
the
date
of
any
election
after
the
32
deadline
to
make
a
written
application
for
an
absentee
ballot
33
as
provided
in
section
53.2
or
on
election
day
may
request
an
34
absentee
ballot
during
that
period
or
on
election
day.
As
an
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alternative
to
the
application
procedure
prescribed
by
section
1
53.2
,
the
registered
voter
may
make
the
request
directly
to
2
the
officers
who
are
delivering
and
returning
absentee
ballots
3
under
this
section
.
Alternatively,
the
request
may
be
made
by
4
telephone
to
the
office
of
the
commissioner
not
later
than
four
5
hours
before
the
close
of
the
polls.
If
the
requester
is
found
6
to
be
a
registered
voter
of
that
county,
these
officers
shall
7
deliver
the
appropriate
absentee
ballot
to
the
registered
voter
8
in
the
manner
prescribed
by
this
section
.
9
Sec.
50.
Section
53.22,
subsection
6,
Code
2021,
is
amended
10
to
read
as
follows:
11
6.
a.
If
the
registered
voter
becomes
a
patient,
tenant,
or
12
resident
of
a
hospital,
assisted
living
program,
or
health
care
13
facility
outside
the
county
where
the
voter
is
registered
to
14
vote
within
three
days
before
the
date
of
any
election
after
15
the
deadline
to
make
a
written
application
for
an
absentee
16
ballot
as
provided
in
section
53.2
or
on
election
day,
the
17
voter
may
designate
a
person
to
deliver
and
return
the
absentee
18
ballot.
The
designee
may
be
any
person
the
voter
chooses
19
except
that
no
candidate
for
any
office
to
be
voted
upon
for
20
the
election
for
which
the
ballot
is
requested
may
deliver
a
21
ballot
under
this
subsection
shall
be
a
person
not
prohibited
22
to
collect
and
deliver
a
completed
ballot
pursuant
to
section
23
53.33
.
The
request
for
an
absentee
ballot
may
be
made
by
24
telephone
to
the
office
of
the
commissioner
not
later
than
four
25
hours
before
the
close
of
the
polls.
If
the
requester
is
found
26
to
be
a
registered
voter
of
that
county,
the
ballot
shall
be
27
delivered
by
mail
or
by
the
person
designated
by
the
voter.
An
28
application
form
shall
be
included
with
the
absentee
ballot
and
29
shall
be
signed
by
the
voter
and
returned
with
the
ballot.
30
b.
Absentee
ballots
voted
under
this
subsection
shall
be
31
delivered
to
the
commissioner
no
later
than
the
time
the
polls
32
are
closed
on
election
day.
If
the
ballot
is
returned
by
mail
33
the
return
envelope
must
be
received
by
the
time
the
polls
34
close,
or
be
clearly
postmarked
by
an
officially
authorized
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postal
service
or
bear
a
postal
service
barcode
traceable
to
a
1
date
of
entry
into
the
federal
mail
system
not
later
than
the
2
day
before
the
election,
as
provided
in
section
53.17A
,
and
3
received
by
the
commissioner
no
later
than
the
time
established
4
for
the
canvass
by
the
board
of
supervisors
for
that
election.
5
Sec.
51.
Section
53.30,
Code
2021,
is
amended
to
read
as
6
follows:
7
53.30
Ballots,
ballot
envelopes,
and
other
information
8
preserved.
9
1.
At
the
conclusion
of
each
meeting
of
the
absentee
and
10
special
voter
precinct
board,
the
board
shall
reconcile
the
11
number
of
signed
affidavits
provided
to
the
board
by
the
12
commissioner
and
the
number
of
ballots
that
were
counted
and
13
tabulated.
The
board
shall
record
the
number
of
ballots
that
14
were
rejected
prior
to
opening
the
affidavit
envelope,
the
15
number
of
absentee
ballots
that
have
been
challenged
and
are
16
currently
unopened,
and
the
number
of
absentee
ballots
that
17
were
accepted
for
counting
and
tabulation.
The
board
shall
18
also
reconcile
the
number
of
provisional
ballots
provided
19
to
the
board
by
the
commissioner,
the
number
of
provisional
20
ballots
that
were
accepted
for
counting
and
tabulation,
and
the
21
number
of
provisional
ballots
that
were
rejected.
22
2.
At
the
conclusion
of
each
meeting
of
the
absentee
and
23
special
voters
precinct
board,
the
board
shall
securely
seal
24
all
ballots
counted
by
them
in
the
manner
prescribed
in
section
25
50.12
.
The
ballot
envelopes,
including
the
affidavit
envelope
26
if
an
affidavit
envelope
was
provided,
the
return
envelope,
and
27
secrecy
envelope
bearing
the
signatures
of
precinct
election
28
officials,
as
required
by
section
53.23
,
shall
be
preserved.
29
All
applications
for
absentee
ballots,
ballots
rejected
without
30
being
opened,
absentee
ballot
logs,
and
any
other
documents
31
pertaining
to
the
absentee
ballot
process
shall
be
preserved
32
until
such
time
as
the
documents
may
be
destroyed
pursuant
to
33
section
50.19
.
34
3.
Following
each
primary
and
general
election,
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commissioners
shall
report
to
the
state
commissioner
the
1
number
of
voted
absentee
ballots
received
by
the
commissioner,
2
the
total
number
of
absentee
ballots
counted
and
tabulated
3
by
the
board,
and
the
number
of
absentee
ballots
rejected
by
4
the
board.
The
commissioner
shall
also
provide
the
number
of
5
provisional
ballots
cast,
the
number
of
provisional
ballots
6
rejected,
and
the
number
of
provisional
ballots
that
were
7
counted
and
tabulated
by
the
board.
8
Sec.
52.
NEW
SECTION
.
53.33
Unlawful
return
of
ballot.
9
Notwithstanding
any
provision
of
law
to
the
contrary,
no
10
person
other
than
the
registered
voter
or
an
individual
who
11
lives
in
the
same
household
as
the
registered
voter,
the
12
registered
voter’s
immediate
family
member,
an
individual
13
serving
as
a
caretaker
for
the
registered
voter,
or
an
14
individual
pursuant
to
section
53.22
shall
collect
a
completed
15
ballot
and
return
the
ballot
by
mail
or
in
person
to
the
county
16
auditor’s
office
or
other
election
location.
A
violation
of
17
this
section
constitutes
election
misconduct
in
the
third
18
degree
under
section
39A.4.
19
Sec.
53.
Section
66.1A,
Code
2021,
is
amended
by
adding
the
20
following
new
subsection:
21
NEW
SUBSECTION
.
8.
For
failure
to
pay
a
fine
imposed
22
pursuant
to
section
39A.6
and
not
dismissed
pursuant
to
chapter
23
17A.
24
Sec.
54.
Section
69.14A,
subsection
2,
paragraph
a,
25
subparagraphs
(1)
and
(2),
Code
2021,
are
amended
to
read
as
26
follows:
27
(1)
The
appointment
shall
be
for
the
period
until
the
28
next
pending
election
as
defined
in
section
69.12
general
29
election
,
and
shall
be
made
within
forty
days
after
the
vacancy
30
occurs.
If
the
board
of
supervisors
chooses
to
proceed
under
31
this
paragraph,
the
board
shall
publish
notice
in
the
manner
32
prescribed
by
section
331.305
stating
that
the
board
intends
33
to
fill
the
vacancy
by
appointment
but
that
the
electors
of
34
the
county
have
the
right
to
file
a
petition
requiring
that
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the
vacancy
be
filled
by
special
election.
The
board
may
1
publish
notice
in
advance
if
an
elected
official
submits
a
2
resignation
to
take
effect
at
a
future
date.
The
board
may
3
make
an
appointment
to
fill
the
vacancy
after
the
notice
is
4
published
or
after
the
vacancy
occurs,
whichever
is
later.
A
5
person
appointed
to
an
office
under
this
subsection
,
except
for
6
a
county
attorney,
shall
have
actually
resided
in
the
county
7
which
the
appointee
represents
sixty
days
prior
to
appointment.
8
A
person
appointed
to
the
office
of
county
attorney
shall
be
a
9
resident
of
the
county
at
the
time
of
appointment.
10
(2)
However,
if
within
fourteen
days
after
publication
11
of
the
notice
or
within
fourteen
days
after
the
appointment
12
is
made,
a
petition
is
circulated
and
filed
with
the
county
13
auditor
requesting
a
special
election
to
fill
the
vacancy,
14
the
appointment
is
temporary
and
a
special
election
shall
be
15
called
as
provided
in
paragraph
“b”
.
The
petition
shall
meet
16
the
requirements
of
section
331.306
.
A
signature
shall
not
be
17
considered
valid
if
the
signature
is
dated
prior
to
the
date
on
18
which
the
appointment
was
made.
19
Sec.
55.
Section
69.14A,
subsection
2,
paragraph
b,
20
subparagraph
(1),
Code
2021,
is
amended
to
read
as
follows:
21
(1)
The
board
of
supervisors
may,
on
its
own
motion,
or
22
shall,
upon
receipt
of
a
petition
as
provided
in
paragraph
23
“a”
,
call
for
a
special
election
to
fill
the
vacancy
in
lieu
24
of
appointment.
The
supervisors
shall
order
the
special
25
election
at
the
earliest
practicable
date,
but
giving
at
least
26
thirty-two
days’
notice
of
the
election.
A
special
election
27
called
under
this
section
shall
be
held
on
a
Tuesday
and
shall
28
not
be
held
on
the
same
day
as
a
school
election
within
the
29
county
.
30
Sec.
56.
Section
331.756,
Code
2021,
is
amended
by
adding
31
the
following
new
subsection:
32
NEW
SUBSECTION
.
75.
Bring
actions
under
chapter
66
for
33
failure
to
pay
fines
imposed
pursuant
to
section
39A.6
and
not
34
dismissed
pursuant
to
chapter
17A.
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Sec.
57.
EFFECTIVE
DATE.
This
Act,
being
deemed
of
1
immediate
importance,
takes
effect
upon
enactment.
2
Sec.
58.
APPLICABILITY.
The
following
apply
to
all
3
candidates
seeking
election
to
an
office
that
will
appear
on
a
4
ballot
in
or
after
2022:
5
1.
The
sections
of
this
Act
amending
section
43.20.
6
2.
The
section
of
this
Act
amending
section
44.1.
7
3.
The
section
of
this
Act
amending
section
45.1.
8
EXPLANATION
9
The
inclusion
of
this
explanation
does
not
constitute
agreement
with
10
the
explanation’s
substance
by
the
members
of
the
general
assembly.
11
This
bill
relates
to
the
conduct
of
elections.
12
The
bill
allows
the
state
commissioner
of
elections
to
issue
13
guidance
outside
of
the
rulemaking
process
to
clarify
election
14
laws
and
rules.
The
bill
makes
failure
to
follow
or
implement
15
such
guidance
election
misconduct
in
the
first
degree,
which
16
is
a
class
“D”
felony.
A
class
“D”
felony
is
punishable
by
17
confinement
for
no
more
than
five
years
and
a
fine
of
at
least
18
$1,025
but
not
more
than
$10,245.
The
bill
also
makes
the
19
failure
to
perform
election
duties
and
performance
of
election
20
duties
in
such
a
way
as
to
hinder
or
disregard
the
object
of
the
21
law
election
misconduct
in
the
first
degree.
22
The
bill
makes
interference
by
a
precinct
election
official
23
or
county
commissioner
with
a
person
who
is
allowed
to
be
at
a
24
polling
place
election
misconduct
in
the
third
degree,
which
25
is
a
serious
misdemeanor.
A
serious
misdemeanor
is
punishable
26
by
confinement
for
no
more
than
one
year
and
a
fine
of
at
least
27
$430
but
not
more
than
$2,560.
28
The
bill
expressly
grants
state
and
local
law
enforcement
29
agencies
the
authority
to
take
all
reasonable
actions
to
30
prevent
the
violation
of
Code
chapter
50
(canvass
of
votes).
31
The
bill
makes
failure
to
adequately
perform
voter
list
32
maintenance
by
an
election
official
election
misconduct
in
33
the
second
degree,
an
aggravated
misdemeanor.
An
aggravated
34
misdemeanor
is
punishable
by
confinement
for
no
more
than
two
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years
and
a
fine
of
at
least
$855
but
not
more
than
$8,540.
1
The
bill
allows
a
county
commissioner
of
elections
to
2
establish
a
single
drop
box
where
voters
can
return
completed
3
absentee
ballots.
The
bill
requires
the
drop
box
to
be
located
4
at
or
near
the
office
of
the
county
commissioner
and
sets
5
certain
requirements
regarding
the
security,
maintenance,
and
6
documentation
of
ballot
drop
boxes.
The
bill
makes
conforming
7
changes
regarding
the
return
of
absentee
ballots.
8
The
bill
requires
the
state
commissioner
of
elections
to
9
issue
a
fine
of
up
to
$10,000,
to
be
paid
into
the
general
10
fund,
to
a
county
commissioner
of
elections
when
the
state
11
commissioner
issues
a
technical
infraction
to
a
county
12
commissioner.
A
county
commissioner
shall
pay
or
appeal
the
13
fine
within
60
days.
A
county
commissioner
who
fails
to
pay
a
14
fine
that
is
not
dismissed
within
60
days
shall
be
suspended
15
from
office
for
no
longer
than
two
years.
If
a
county
16
commissioner
is
suspended
from
office,
the
state
commissioner
17
shall
direct
the
deputy
county
commissioner
to
fulfill
the
18
duties
of
the
office,
and
the
state
commissioner
may
direct
19
the
state
commissioner’s
staff
to
assist
the
deputy
county
20
commissioner.
The
bill
also
requires
the
state
commissioner
21
to
report
a
technical
infraction
to
the
attorney
general
and
22
relevant
county
attorney
if
the
infraction
constitutes
or
23
may
constitute
election
misconduct.
The
attorney
general
or
24
county
attorney
shall
report
the
results
of
the
investigation
25
to
the
state
commissioner
of
elections
and
explain
whether
the
26
attorney
will
pursue
charges.
27
The
bill
requires
the
attorney
general
or
county
attorney
28
to
investigate
allegations
of
election
misconduct,
and
to
29
investigate
misconduct
by
election
officials
for
prosecution
30
under
Code
chapter
721
(official
misconduct).
31
The
bill
prohibits
a
person
who
has
been
nominated
by
a
32
political
party
from
being
nominated
by
a
nonparty
political
33
organization
for
the
same
office
in
the
same
election.
34
The
bill
changes
the
number
of
signatures
required
to
be
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received
for
the
nomination
of
candidates
for
partisan
office
1
to
be
the
same
as
provided
for
in
Code
section
45.1.
The
bill
2
sets
the
signature
requirements
for
candidates
for
president
3
and
vice
president,
governor
and
lieutenant
governor,
and
4
United
States
senator
to
3,500
signatures,
with
at
least
100
5
signatures
each
from
at
least
19
counties;
for
other
statewide
6
offices
to
2,500
signatures,
with
at
least
77
signatures
each
7
from
at
least
18
counties;
and
for
representative
in
the
United
8
States
house
of
representatives
to
1,726
signatures,
with
at
9
least
47
signatures
from
at
least
half
of
the
counties
in
the
10
congressional
district.
11
The
bill
changes
the
required
convention
or
caucus
size
for
12
nominees
from
nonparty
political
organizations.
13
The
bill
prohibits
county
commissioners
of
elections
from
14
exercising
home
rule
powers
with
respect
to
the
administration
15
of
elections.
16
The
bill
requires
the
state
registrar
of
voters
to
verify
17
each
record
in
the
statewide
voter
registration
file
in
18
the
first
quarter
of
each
calendar
year.
The
verification
19
procedure
shall
include
cross-referencing
the
records
in
20
the
statewide
voter
registration
file
with
similar
records
21
maintained
by
other
states.
If
the
state
registrar
identifies
22
an
invalid
registration,
the
state
registrar
shall
cancel
that
23
registration.
The
bill
requires
the
state
registrar
to
submit
24
a
report
to
the
general
assembly
by
April
30
of
each
year
25
regarding
the
number
of
registrations
canceled
pursuant
to
the
26
provisions
of
the
bill.
The
state
registrar
shall
also
post
27
the
report
on
the
state
registrar’s
internet
site.
28
The
bill
allows
the
state
registrar
to
contract
with
a
29
third-party
vendor
to
develop
or
provide
a
program
to
allow
30
the
state
registrar
to
verify
the
status
of
records
in
the
31
statewide
voter
registration
file
and
identify
ineligible
32
voters
on
an
ongoing
basis.
33
The
bill
changes
the
earliest
date
before
an
election
on
34
which
a
registered
voter
may
request
an
absentee
ballot
from
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120
days
before
the
election
to
70
days
before
the
election.
1
The
bill
prohibits
county
commissioners
of
elections
from
2
sending
an
absentee
ballot
application
to
a
voter.
In
the
3
event
of
a
public
health
disaster
declared
by
the
governor,
the
4
bill
allows
the
general
assembly
to,
by
resolution,
direct
the
5
state
commissioner
to
send
an
absentee
ballot
application
to
6
each
registered
voter
prior
to
a
primary
or
general
election
7
held
in
an
even-numbered
year.
If
the
general
assembly
is
8
not
is
session,
the
bill
allows
the
legislative
council
to
so
9
direct
the
state
commissioner
by
a
majority
vote.
10
The
bill
prohibits
an
absentee
ballot
application
from
being
11
provided
to
a
voter
with
any
information
other
than
the
date
12
and
type
of
election
prefilled.
The
bill
requires
a
county
13
commissioner
who
receives
an
application
for
an
absentee
ballot
14
between
5:00
p.m.
on
the
11th
day
before
an
election
and
5:00
15
p.m.
on
the
7th
day
before
an
election
to
notify
the
registered
16
voter
within
24
hours
that
the
application
cannot
be
processed
17
and
provide
options
for
the
registered
voter
to
participate
in
18
the
election.
19
The
bill
requires
the
state
commissioner
of
elections
to
20
publish
daily
reports
regarding
absentee
ballots
during
the
21
duration
of
certain
elections.
The
bill
requires
county
22
commissioners
of
elections
to
provide
any
necessary
information
23
for
such
reports
to
the
state
commissioner
of
elections.
24
The
bill
requires
the
state
registrar
of
voters
to
use
25
information
from
the
electronic
registration
information
center
26
to
update
information
in
the
statewide
voter
registration
27
system.
The
bill
enumerates
certain
reports
that
the
state
28
registrar
of
voters
is
required
to
use.
29
The
bill
requires
each
county
commissioner
of
registration
30
to
participate
in
the
United
States
postal
service
national
31
change
of
address
program.
The
bill
requires
the
county
32
commissioner
to
send
a
notice
to
and
mark
as
inactive
a
voter
33
who
has
not
participated
in
the
most
recent
general
election
34
and
who
has
not
reported
a
change
of
address
or
registered
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again.
Current
law
requires
that
such
voters
be
marked
1
inactive
after
having
not
voted
in
two
consecutive
general
2
elections.
The
bill
repeals
an
alternative
to
participation
in
3
the
national
change
of
address
program.
4
The
bill
requires
each
commissioner
of
registration
to
5
annually
submit
to
the
state
registrar
of
voters
a
report
6
regarding
voter
registration
maintenance
activities.
The
state
7
registrar
of
voters
shall
publish
such
reports
on
the
internet
8
site
of
the
state
registrar
of
voters.
9
The
bill
requires
the
state
registrar
of
voters
to
conduct
10
an
audit
of
the
voter
registration
maintenance
activities
of
11
each
county
commissioner
of
registration
in
April
of
each
12
odd-numbered
year.
If
the
state
registrar
of
voters
discovers
13
that
a
county
commissioner
of
registration
has
failed
to
14
perform
adequate
maintenance
activities,
the
state
registrar
of
15
voters
shall
transmit
the
audit
to
the
relevant
county
attorney
16
and
attorney
general
for
investigation
of
election
misconduct.
17
The
bill
allows
the
state
commissioner
of
elections
to
18
oversee
the
activities
of
a
county
commissioner
of
elections
19
during
a
period
beginning
60
days
before
an
election
and
ending
20
60
days
after
an
election.
The
state
commissioner
may
correct
21
any
activity
not
in
accordance
with
law,
including
by
the
22
issuance
of
technical
infractions.
23
The
bill
requires
that
a
person
serving
on
a
precinct
24
election
board
for
an
election
including
partisan
offices
or
25
for
an
election
in
which
candidates’
names
appear
under
the
26
heading
of
political
parties
who
changes
party
affiliation
27
within
30
days
before
an
election
shall
be
immediately
removed
28
from
the
board
and
replaced
with
a
substitute.
29
The
bill
prohibits
a
voter
from
selecting
as
a
person
to
30
assist
the
voter
in
casting
a
ballot
at
the
polling
place
a
31
person
who
is
standing
for
election
on
the
ballot.
32
The
bill
changes
the
earliest
date
before
an
election
on
33
which
a
county
commissioner
of
elections
may
mail
an
absentee
34
ballot
from
29
days
before
the
election
to
18
days
before
the
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election.
The
bill
strikes
a
provision
altering
the
first
1
day
on
which
an
absentee
ballot
may
be
mailed
when
the
United
2
States
post
office
is
closed
and
not
delivering
mail
on
that
3
day.
4
The
bill
prohibits
the
county
commissioner
of
elections
5
and
state
commissioner
of
elections
from
mailing
an
absentee
6
ballot
to
a
person
who
has
not
submitted
an
application
for
an
7
absentee
ballot.
8
The
bill
repeals
a
provision
allowing
a
county
commissioner
9
of
elections
to
establish
satellite
absentee
voting
locations
10
at
the
commissioner’s
discretion.
The
bill
does
not
alter
11
a
provision
requiring
a
county
commissioner
of
elections
to
12
establish
satellite
absentee
voting
locations
upon
receipt
of
13
a
petition.
14
The
bill
changes
the
earliest
date
on
which
a
person
can
vote
15
absentee
in
person
at
the
county
commissioner’s
office
from
29
16
days
before
an
election
to
18
days
before
an
election.
17
The
bill
removes
a
postmark
as
a
method
by
which
the
date
on
18
which
an
absentee
ballot
was
mailed
may
be
verified.
The
bill
19
prohibits
a
postmark
from
being
used
for
such
purpose.
20
The
bill
removes
certain
requirements
that
county
21
commissioners
of
elections
must
meet
before
implementing
or
22
discontinuing
the
use
of
a
postal
service
barcode
for
the
23
purpose
of
tracking
absentee
ballots.
24
The
bill
changes
the
process
for
a
county
commissioner
to
25
notify
a
voter
that
an
absentee
ballot
affidavit
is
incomplete.
26
The
bill
requires
a
county
commissioner
to
notify
a
voter
27
within
24
hours
of
receipt
of
an
affidavit
lacking
a
signature
28
that
the
voter
may
vote
a
replacement
ballot,
cast
a
ballot
29
at
the
polls,
or
complete
the
affidavit
at
the
office
of
the
30
county
commissioner.
If
the
county
commissioner
receives
31
an
absentee
ballot
after
5:00
p.m.
on
the
Saturday
before
32
a
general
election
or
after
5:00
p.m.
on
the
Friday
before
33
any
other
election,
the
county
commissioner
shall
submit
the
34
affidavit
to
the
special
voters
precinct
board.
If
the
board
35
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finds
that
the
affidavit
is
incomplete,
the
county
commissioner
1
shall
notify
the
voter
that
the
voter
may
complete
the
2
affidavit
in
person
at
the
county
commissioner’s
office.
The
3
bill
defines
an
incomplete
affidavit
as
one
lacking
the
voter’s
4
signature.
5
The
bill
adds
the
date
the
absentee
ballot
was
received
by
6
the
county
commissioner,
the
date
the
absentee
ballot
outer
7
envelope
was
opened,
and
how
the
ballot
was
delivered
to
8
the
county
commissioner
to
the
information
that
the
county
9
commissioner
must
maintain
regarding
absentee
ballots.
The
10
bill
requires
such
information
to
be
reported
to
the
state
11
commissioner
of
elections.
12
The
bill
allows
a
person
who
becomes
a
patient,
tenant,
or
13
resident
of
a
hospital,
assisted
living
program,
or
health
14
care
facility
in
the
county
where
the
voter
is
registered
to
15
vote
after
the
deadline
to
make
a
written
application
for
an
16
absentee
ballot
to
request
an
absentee
ballot
by
phone
or
in
17
person
to
election
officers
delivering
or
collecting
such
18
ballots.
19
The
bill
requires
the
absentee
and
special
voter
precinct
20
board
to
reconcile
the
number
of
signed
affidavits
provided
21
by
the
county
commissioner
of
elections
with
the
number
of
22
ballots
counted
and
tabulated
by
the
board,
as
well
as
the
23
number
of
provisional
ballots
provided
to
the
board,
the
number
24
rejected
by
the
board,
and
the
number
counted
and
tabulated
by
25
the
board.
The
board
shall
also
record
the
number
of
ballots
26
rejected
prior
to
opening
the
affidavit
envelope,
the
number
27
of
absentee
ballots
that
have
been
challenged
and
remain
28
unopened,
and
the
number
of
absentee
ballots
that
were
accepted
29
for
counting
and
tabulation.
Following
each
primary
and
30
general
election,
the
bill
requires
the
county
commissioner
to
31
report
to
the
state
commissioner
certain
information
regarding
32
absentee
ballots.
33
The
bill
prohibits
a
person
other
than
a
registered
voter,
34
the
registered
voter’s
immediate
family
member,
an
individual
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in
the
voter’s
household,
an
individual
acting
as
a
caretaker
1
for
the
registered
voter,
or
an
election
official
assisting
2
a
confined
person
from
collecting
and
returning
a
completed
3
absentee
ballot,
including
to
a
ballot
drop
box.
A
person
who
4
violates
this
provision
of
the
bill
commits
election
misconduct
5
in
the
third
degree
and
is
guilty
of
a
serious
misdemeanor.
A
6
serious
misdemeanor
is
punishable
by
confinement
for
no
more
7
than
one
year
and
a
fine
of
at
least
$430
but
not
more
than
8
$2,560.
9
The
bill
changes
the
period
of
appointment
for
a
person
10
appointed
to
fill
a
vacancy
in
an
elected
county
office
from
11
until
the
next
pending
election
to
until
the
next
general
12
election.
For
petitions
requesting
a
special
election
to
fill
13
the
vacancy,
the
bill
requires
a
petition
to
be
circulated
and
14
filed
within
14
days
after
the
appointment.
The
bill
requires
15
signatures
on
such
a
petition
to
be
dated
on
or
after
the
16
date
of
the
appointment.
The
bill
repeals
a
prohibition
on
a
17
special
election
to
fill
a
vacancy
in
a
county
elected
office
18
being
held
on
the
same
day
as
a
school
election
within
the
19
county.
20
The
bill
takes
effect
upon
enactment.
The
provisions
of
the
21
bill
relating
to
nominations
of
candidates
apply
to
candidates
22
seeking
election
to
an
office
on
a
ballot
in
or
after
2022.
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