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Iowa Election Code

Title II – Chapter 62

CHAPTER 62 – CONTESTING ELECTIONS OF COUNTY OFFICERS

62.1 Definitions.

As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires, “book”, “list”, “record”, or “schedule” kept by a county auditor, assessor, treasurer, recorder, sheriff, or other county officer means the county system as defined in section 445.1.

62.1A Contest court established.

The court for the trial of contested county elections shall consist of one member named by the contestant and one member named by the incumbent. If the incumbent fails to name a member, the chief judge of the judicial district shall be notified of the failure to appoint. The chief judge shall designate the second member within one week after the chief judge is notified. These two members shall meet within three days and select a third member to serve as the presiding member of the court. If they cannot agree on the third member of the court within three days after their initial meeting, the chief judge of the judicial district shall be notified of the failure to agree. The chief judge shall designate the presiding member within one week after the chief judge is notified.

62.2 Contest court members sworn.

Members of the contest court shall be sworn in the same manner and form as trial jurors are sworn in trials of civil actions. When a member fails to appear on the day of trial, that member’s place may be filled by the appointment of another member under the same rule.

62.3 Clerk.

The county auditor shall be clerk of this court, and keep all papers, and record the proceedings in the election book, in manner similar to the record of the proceedings of the district court, but when the county auditor is a party, the court shall appoint a suitable person as clerk, whose appointment shall be recorded.

62.4 Sheriff to attend.

The court or presiding judge may direct the attendance of the sheriff or a deputy when necessary.

62.5 Statement of intent to contest.

Within twenty days after the board of supervisors declares a winner from the canvass of an election, the contestant shall file with the commissioner a written statement of intention to contest the election. If a recount is held for the office in question, and the recount board finds that the winner was someone other than the person declared at the original canvass of votes, a contest may be filed within twenty days after the board of supervisors declares a winner from the recount of votes.
The contestant’s statement shall include the following:
The name of the contestant and that the contestant is qualified to hold such office.
The name of the incumbent.
The office contested.
The date of the election.
The particular causes of the contest pursuant to section 57.1, subsection 2. If a cause of the contest is an allegation that illegal votes were received or that legal votes were rejected, a statement shall be included setting forth the names of the persons who are alleged to have voted illegally or whose votes were rejected and the precinct where they voted or offered to vote.
The affidavit of the contestant, or some elector of the county, affirming the causes set forth are true.

62.6 Bond.

The contestant must also file with the county auditor a bond, with security to be approved by said auditor, conditioned to pay all costs in case the election be confirmed, or the statement be dismissed, or the prosecution fail.

62.7 When auditor is party.

When the auditor is a party, the county treasurer shall receive such statement and approve such bond.

62.8 Repealed by 2002 Acts, ch 1134, §114, 115. See §62.5.

62.9 Trial — notice.

The presiding judge shall fix a day for the trial, not more than thirty days thereafter, and shall cause a notice of such trial to be served on the incumbent, with a copy of the contestant’s statement, at least ten days before the day set for trial. If the trial date is set for less than twenty days from the day notice is given and either party is not ready, the presiding judge shall delay the trial.

62.10 Place of trial.

The trial of contested county elections shall take place at the county seat, unless some other place within the county is substituted by the consent of the court and parties.

62.11 Subpoenas.

Subpoenas for witnesses may be issued at any time after the notice of trial is served, either by the county treasurer or by the county auditor, and shall command the witnesses to appear at ……………….., on ……………., to testify in relation to a contested election, wherein ………………………….. (Insert contestant’s name) is contestant and ………………………….. (Insert incumbent’s name) is incumbent.

62.12 Postponement.

The trial shall proceed at the time appointed, unless postponed for good cause shown by affidavit, the terms of which postponement shall be in the discretion of the court.

62.13 Procedure — powers of court.

The proceedings shall be assimilated to those in an action, so far as practicable, but shall be under the control and direction of the court, which shall have all the powers of the district court necessary to the right hearing and determination of the matter, to compel the attendance of witnesses, swear them and direct their examination, to punish for contempt in its presence or by disobedience to its lawful mandate, to adjourn from day to day, to make any order concerning intermediate costs, and to enforce its orders by attachment. It shall be governed by the rules of law and evidence applicable to the case.

62.14 Sufficiency of statement.

The statement shall not be dismissed for want of form, if the particular causes of contest are alleged with such certainty as will sufficiently advise the incumbent of the real grounds of contest.

62.15 Amendment — continuance.

If any part of the causes are held insufficient, they may be amended, but the incumbent will be entitled to an adjournment, if the incumbent states on oath that the incumbent has matter of answer to the amended causes, for the preparation of which the incumbent needs further time. Such adjournment shall be upon such terms as the court thinks reasonable; but if all the causes are held insufficient and an amendment is asked, the adjournment shall be at the cost of contestant. If no amendment is asked for or made, or in case of entire failure to prosecute, the proceedings may be dismissed.

62.16 Testimony.

The testimony may be oral or by deposition, taken as in an action at law in the district court.

62.17 Voters required to testify.

The court may require any person called as a witness, who voted at such election, to answer touching the person’s qualifications as a voter, and, if the person was not a registered voter in the county where the person voted, then to answer for whom the person voted.

62.18 Judgment.

The court shall adjudge whether the incumbent or any other person was duly elected, and that the person elected is entitled to the certificate. If the court finds that the election resulted in a tie vote for any office, the tie shall be resolved pursuant to section 50.44. If the judgment is against the incumbent, and the incumbent has already received the certificate, the judgment shall annul the certificate. If the court finds that no person was elected, the judgment shall be that the election be set aside.

62.19 How enforced.

When either the contestant or incumbent shall be in possession of the office, by holding over or otherwise, the presiding judge shall, if the judgment be against the party so in possession of the office and in favor of the party’s antagonist, issue an order to carry into effect the judgment of the court, which order shall be under the seal of the county, and shall command the sheriff of the county to put the successful party into possession of the office without delay, and to deliver to the successful party all books and papers belonging to the same; and the sheriff shall execute such order as other writs.

62.20 Appeal.

The party against whom judgment is rendered may appeal within twenty days to the district court, but, if the party be in possession of the office, such appeal will not supersede the execution of the judgment of the court as provided in section 62.19, unless the party gives a bond, with security to be approved by the district judge in a sum to be fixed by the judge, and which shall be at least double the probable compensation of such officer for six months, which bond shall be conditioned that the party will prosecute the appeal without delay, and that, if the judgment appealed from be affirmed, the party will pay over to the successful party all compensation received by the party while in possession of said office after the judgment appealed from was rendered. The court shall hear the appeal in equity and determine anew all questions arising in the case.

62.21 Judgment.

If, upon appeal, the judgment is affirmed, the district court may render judgment upon the bond for the amount of damages, against the appellant and the sureties thereon.

62.22 Process — fees.

The style, form, and manner of service of process and papers, and the fees of officers and witnesses, shall be the same as in the district court, so far as the nature of the case admits.

62.23 Compensation.

The judges shall be entitled to receive one hundred dollars a day for the time occupied by the trial.

62.24 Costs.

The contestant and the incumbent are responsible for the expenses of the witnesses called by them, respectively. If the results of the election are upheld by the contest, if the statement is dismissed, or if the prosecution fails, the costs of the contest shall be paid by the contestant. If the court or tribunal trying the contest determines that the contestant won the election, or if the election is set aside, the costs of the contest shall be paid by the county.

62.25 How collected.

A transcript of the judgment may be filed and recorded in the office of the clerk of the district court and shall have the effect of a judgment of that court and execution may issue thereon.

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Title II – Chapter 63

CHAPTER 63 – TIME AND MANNER OF QUALIFYING

63.1 Time.

Each officer, elective or appointive, before entering upon the officer’s duties, shall qualify by taking the prescribed oath and by giving, when required, a bond, which qualification shall be perfected, unless otherwise specified, after being certified as elected but not later than noon of the first day which is not a Sunday or a legal holiday in January of the first year of the term for which the officer was elected. “Legal holiday” means those days provided in section 1C.1.

63.2 Reserved.

63.3 Unavoidable casualty.

When on account of sickness, the inclement state of the weather, unavoidable absence, or casualty, an officer has been prevented from qualifying within the prescribed time, the officer may do so within ten days after the time herein fixed.

63.4 Contest.

In case the election of an officer is contested, the successful party shall qualify within ten days after the decision is rendered.

63.5 Governor and lieutenant governor.

The governor and lieutenant governor shall each qualify within ten days after the result of the election shall be declared by the general assembly, by taking an oath in its presence, in joint convention assembled, administered by a judge of the supreme court, to the effect that each will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Iowa, and will faithfully and impartially, and to the best of the officer’s knowledge and ability, discharge the duties incumbent upon the officer as governor, or lieutenant governor, of this state.

63.6 Judges.

All judges of courts of record shall qualify before taking office following appointment by taking and subscribing an oath to the effect that they will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Iowa, and that, without fear, favor, affection, or hope of reward, they will, to the best of their knowledge and ability, administer justice according to the law, equally to the rich and the poor.

63.7 Officer holding over.

When it is ascertained that the incumbent is entitled to hold over by reason of the nonelection of a successor, or for the neglect or refusal of the successor to qualify, the incumbent shall qualify anew, within the time provided by section 63.8.

63.8 Vacancies — time to qualify.

Persons elected or appointed to fill vacancies, and officers entitled to hold over to fill vacancies occurring through a failure to elect, appoint, or qualify, as provided in chapter 69, shall qualify within ten days from the county board’s canvass of such election, or within ten days from such appointment or failure to elect, appoint, or qualify, in the same manner as those originally elected or appointed to such offices.

63.9 Temporary officer.

Any person temporarily appointed to fill an office during the incapacity or suspension of the regular incumbent shall qualify, in the manner required by this chapter, for the office so to be filled.

63.10 Other officers.

All other civil officers, elected by the people or appointed to any civil office, unless otherwise provided, shall take and subscribe an oath substantially as follows:

I, ……………………, do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Iowa, and that I will faithfully and impartially, to the best of my ability, discharge all the duties of the office of ……………….. (naming it) in (naming the township, city, county, district, or state, as the case may be), as now or hereafter required by law.

63.11 Oath on bond.

Every civil officer who is required to give bond shall take and subscribe the oath provided for in section 63.10, on the back of the bond, or on a paper attached thereto, to be certified by the officer administering it.

63.12 Reelected incumbent.

When the incumbent of an office is reelected, the incumbent shall qualify as above directed, but a judge retained at a judicial election need not requalify.

63.13 Approval conditioned.

When the reelected officer has had public funds or property in the officer’s control, under color of the officer’s office, the officer’s bond shall not be approved until the officer has produced and fully accounted for such funds and property to the proper person to whom the officer should account therefor; and the officer or board approving the bond shall endorse upon the bond, before its approval, the fact that the said officer has fully accounted for and produced all funds and property before that time under the officer’s control as such officer.

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Title II – Chapter 63A

CHAPTER 63A – ADMINISTRATION OF OATHS

63A.1 General authority.

The following officers are empowered to administer oaths and to take affirmations:

Justices of the supreme court and judges of the court of appeals and district courts, including district associate judges and judicial magistrates.
Official court reporters of district courts in taking depositions under appointment or by agreement of counsel.
The clerk and deputy clerks of the supreme court and the clerks of the district court and their designees.
Notaries public.
Certified shorthand reporters.

63A.2 Limited authority.

The following officers and persons are empowered to administer oaths and to take affirmations in any matter pertaining to the business of their respective office, position, or appointment:

Governor, secretary of state, secretary of agriculture, auditor of state, treasurer of state, attorney general.
Members of all boards, commissions, or bodies created by law.
All county officers other than those named in section 63A.1.
Mayors and clerks of cities, precinct election officials, township clerks, assessors, and surveyors.
All duly appointed referees or appraisers.
All investigators for supplementary assistance as provided for under chapter 249.
The director and employees of the department of revenue, as authorized by the director, and as set forth in chapters 421 and 422.

63A.3 Jurat by deputy.

In preparing a jurat to an oath or affirmation administered by a deputy, it shall be sufficient for the deputy to affix the deputy’s own name, together with the designation of the deputy’s official position, and the seal of principal, if any.

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Title II – Chapter 68A

SUBTITLE 2 – PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES

CHAPTER 68A – CAMPAIGN FINANCE

SUBCHAPTER I – GENERAL PROVISIONS

68A.101 Citation and administration.

This chapter may be cited as the “Campaign Disclosure – Income Tax Checkoff Act”. The Iowa ethics and campaign disclosure board shall administer this chapter as provided in sections 68B.32, 68B.32A, 68B.32B, 68B.32C, and 68B.32D.

68A.102 Definitions.

As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:

“Ballot issue” means a question, other than the nomination or election of a candidate to a public office, which has been approved by a political subdivision or the general assembly or is required by law to be placed before the voters of the political subdivision by a commissioner of elections, or to be placed before the voters by the state commissioner of elections.
“Board” means the Iowa ethics and campaign disclosure board established under section 68B.32.
“Campaign function” means any meeting related to a candidate’s campaign for election.
“Candidate” means any individual who has taken affirmative action to seek nomination or election to a public office and shall also include any judge standing for retention in a judicial election.
“Candidate’s committee” means the committee designated by the candidate for a state, county, city, or school office to receive contributions in excess of one thousand dollars in the aggregate, expend funds in excess of one thousand dollars in the aggregate, or incur indebtedness on behalf of the candidate in excess of one thousand dollars in the aggregate in any calendar year.
“Clearly identified” means that a communication contains an unambiguous reference to a particular candidate or ballot issue, including but not limited to one or more of the following:
Use of the name of the candidate or ballot issue.
Use of a photograph or drawing of the candidate, or the use of a particular symbol associated with a specific ballot issue.
Use of a candidate’s initials, nickname, office, or status as a candidate, or use of acronym, popular name, or characterization of a ballot issue.
“Commissioner” means the county auditor of each county, who is designated as the county commissioner of elections pursuant to section 47.2.
“Committee” includes a political committee and a candidate’s committee.
“Consultant” means a person who provides or procures services including but not limited to consulting, public relations, advertising, fundraising, polling, managing or organizing services.
a. “Contribution” means:

(1) A gift, loan, advance, deposit, rebate, refund, or transfer of money or a gift in kind.

(2) The payment, by any person other than a candidate or political committee, of compensation for the personal services of another person which are rendered to a candidate or political committee for any such purpose.

“Contribution” shall not include:

(1) Services provided without compensation by individuals volunteering their time on behalf of a candidate’s committee or political committee or a state or county statutory political committee except when organized or provided on a collective basis by a business, trade association, labor union, or any other organized group or association.

(2) Refreshments served at a campaign function so long as such refreshments do not exceed fifty dollars in value or transportation provided to a candidate so long as its value computed at the current rate of reimbursement allowed under the standard mileage rate method for computation of business expenses pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code does not exceed one hundred dollars in value in any one reporting period.

(3) Something provided to a candidate for the candidate’s personal consumption or use and not intended for or on behalf of the candidate’s committee.

“County office” includes the office of drainage district trustee.
“County statutory political committee” means a committee as described in section 43.100 that accepts contributions in excess of one thousand dollars in the aggregate, makes expenditures in excess of one thousand dollars in the aggregate, or incurs indebtedness in excess of one thousand dollars in the aggregate in any one calendar year to expressly advocate the nomination, election, or defeat of a candidate for public office.
“Disclosure report” means a statement of contributions received, expenditures made, and indebtedness incurred on forms prescribed by rules adopted by the board in accordance with chapter 17A.
“Express advocacy” or to “expressly advocate” means communication that can be characterized according to at least one of the following descriptions:
The communication is political speech made in the form of a contribution.
In advocating the election or defeat of one or more clearly identified candidates or the passage or defeat of one or more clearly identified ballot issues, the communication includes explicit words that unambiguously indicate that the communication is recommending or supporting a particular outcome in the election with regard to any clearly identified candidate or ballot issue.
“Fundraising event” means any campaign function to which admission is charged or at which goods or services are sold.
“National political party” means a party which meets the definition of a political party established for this state by section 43.2, and which also meets the statutory definition of the term “political party” or a term of like import in at least twenty-five other states of the United States.
“Person” means, without limitation, any individual, corporation, government or governmental subdivision or agency, business trust, estate, trust, partnership or association, labor union, or any other legal entity.
“Political committee” means any of the following:
A committee, but not a candidate’s committee, that accepts contributions in excess of one thousand dollars in the aggregate, makes expenditures in excess of one thousand dollars in the aggregate, or incurs indebtedness in excess of one thousand dollars in the aggregate in any one calendar year to expressly advocate the nomination, election, or defeat of a candidate for public office, or to expressly advocate the passage or defeat of a ballot issue.
An association, lodge, society, cooperative, union, fraternity, sorority, educational institution, civic organization, labor organization, religious organization, or professional organization that accepts contributions in excess of one thousand dollars in the aggregate, makes expenditures in excess of one thousand dollars in the aggregate, or incurs indebtedness in excess of one thousand dollars in the aggregate in any one calendar year to expressly advocate the nomination, election, or defeat of a candidate for public office, or to expressly advocate the passage or defeat of a ballot issue.
A person, other than an individual, that accepts contributions in excess of one thousand dollars in the aggregate, makes expenditures in excess of one thousand dollars in the aggregate, or incurs indebtedness in excess of one thousand dollars in the aggregate in any one calendar year to expressly advocate that an individual should or should not seek election to a public office prior to the individual becoming a candidate as defined in subsection 4.
“Political purpose” or “political purposes” means the express advocacy of a candidate or ballot issue.
“Public office” means any state, county, city, or school office filled by election.
“State income tax liability” means the state individual income tax imposed under section 422.5, less the amounts of nonrefundable credits allowed under chapter 422, division II.
“State statutory political committee” means a committee as defined in section 43.111.

68A.103 Applicability to federal candidates.

The requirements of this chapter relative to disclosure of contributions shall apply to candidates and political committees for federal office only in the event such candidates are not subject to a federal law requiring the disclosure of campaign financing. Any such federal law shall supersede the provisions of this chapter.
The provisions of this chapter under which money from the Iowa election campaign fund may be made available to or used for the benefit of candidates and candidates’ committees shall apply to candidates for federal office and their candidates’ committees only if matching funds to pay a portion of their campaign expenses are not available to such candidates or their committees from the federal government.

68A.104 Certain accounts by officeholders prohibited.

A holder of public office shall not maintain an account, other than a campaign account, to receive contributions for the purpose of publishing and distributing newsletters or performing other constituent services related to the official duties of public office. This section applies whether or not the officeholder is a candidate.

SUBCHAPTER II – COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION —DUTIES OF OFFICERS

68A.201 Organization statement.

a. Every committee, as defined in this chapter, shall file a statement of organization within ten days from the date of its organization. Unless formal organization has previously occurred, a committee is deemed to have organized as of the date that committee transactions exceed the financial activity threshold established in section 68A.102, subsection 5 or 18. If committee transactions exceed the financial activity threshold prior to the due date for filing a disclosure report as established under section 68A.402, the committee shall file a disclosure report whether or not a statement of organization has been filed by the committee.
A person who makes one or more independent expenditures and files all statements required by section 68A.404 shall not be required to organize a committee or file the statement of organization required under this section.
The statement of organization shall include:
The name, purpose, mailing address, and telephone number of the committee. The committee name shall not duplicate the name of another committee organized under this section. For candidate’s committees filing initial statements of organization on or after July 1, 1995, the candidate’s name shall be contained within the committee name.
The name, mailing address, and position of the committee officers.
The name, address, office sought, and the party affiliation of all candidates whom the committee is supporting and, if the committee is supporting the entire ticket of any party, the name of the party. If, however, the committee is supporting several candidates who are not identified by name or are not of the same political affiliation, the committee may provide a statement of purpose in lieu of candidate names or political party affiliation.
Such other information as may be required by this chapter or rules adopted pursuant to this chapter.
A signed statement by the treasurer of the committee and the candidate, in the case of a candidate’s committee, which shall verify that they are aware of the requirement to file disclosure reports if the committee, the committee officers, the candidate, or both the committee officers and the candidate receive contributions in excess of one thousand dollars in the aggregate, make expenditures in excess of one thousand dollars in the aggregate, or incur indebtedness in excess of one thousand dollars in the aggregate in a calendar year to expressly advocate the nomination, election, or defeat of any candidate for public office. In the case of political committees, statements shall be made by the treasurer of the committee and the chairperson.
The identification of any parent entity or other affiliates or sponsors.
The name of the financial institution in which the committee receipts will be deposited.
Any change in information previously submitted in a statement of organization or notice in case of dissolution of the committee shall be reported to the board not more than thirty days from the date of the change or dissolution.
A list, by office and district, of all candidates who have filed an affidavit of candidacy in the office of the secretary of state shall be prepared by the secretary of state and delivered to the board not more than ten days after the last day for filing nomination papers.

68A.201A Contributions from federal and out-of-state committees or organizations.

When either a committee or organization not organized as a committee under section 68A.201 makes a contribution to a committee organized in Iowa, that committee or organization shall disclose each contribution in excess of fifty dollars to the board.
A committee or organization not organized as a committee under section 68A.201 that is not registered and filing full disclosure reports of all financial activities with the federal election commission or another state’s disclosure commission shall register and file full disclosure reports with the board pursuant to this chapter. The committee or organization shall either appoint an eligible Iowa elector as committee or organization treasurer, or shall maintain all committee funds in an account in a financial institution located in Iowa.
A committee that is currently filing a disclosure report in another jurisdiction shall either file a statement of organization under section 68A.201 and file disclosure reports under section 68A.402, or shall file a verified statement with the board within fifteen days of the contribution being made.
The verified statement shall be on forms prescribed by the board and shall attest that the committee is filing reports with the federal election commission or in a jurisdiction with reporting requirements which are substantially similar to those of this chapter, and that the contribution is made from an account that does not accept contributions that would be in violation of section 68A.503.
The verified statement shall include the complete name, address, and telephone number of the contributing committee, the state or federal jurisdiction under which it is registered or operates, the identification of any parent entity or other affiliates or sponsors, its purpose, the name and address of an Iowa resident authorized to receive service of original notice, the name and address of the receiving committee, the amount of the cash or in-kind contribution, and the date the contribution was made.
Effective January 1, 2011, the verified statement shall be filed in an electronic format by 4:30 p.m. of the day the filing is due.

68A.202 Candidate’s committee.

Each candidate for state, county, city, or school office shall organize one, and only one, candidate’s committee for a specific office sought when the candidate receives contributions in excess of one thousand dollars in the aggregate, makes expenditures in excess of one thousand dollars in the aggregate, or incurs indebtedness in excess of one thousand dollars in the aggregate in a calendar year.
a. A political committee shall not be established to expressly advocate the nomination, election, or defeat of only one candidate for office. However, a political committee may be established to expressly advocate the passage or defeat of approval of a single judge standing for retention. A permanent organization, as defined in section 68A.402, subsection 9, may make a one-time contribution to only one candidate for office in excess of one thousand dollars.
The prohibition in paragraph “a” does not apply to a political committee described in section 68A.102, subsection 18, paragraph “c”, until the individual becomes a candidate for public office. A political committee organized to expressly advocate that an individual should or should not seek election to a public office prior to the individual becoming a candidate for public office shall be dissolved when the individual becomes a candidate for public office.

68A.203 Committee treasurer and chairperson — duties.

a. Every candidate’s committee shall appoint a treasurer who shall be an Iowa resident who has reached the age of majority. Every political committee, state statutory political committee, and county statutory political committee shall appoint both a treasurer and a chairperson, each of whom shall have reached the age of majority.
Every candidate’s committee shall maintain all of the committee’s funds in bank accounts in a financial institution located in Iowa. Every political committee, state statutory political committee, and county statutory political committee shall either have an Iowa resident as treasurer or maintain all of the committee’s funds in bank accounts in a financial institution located in Iowa.
An expenditure shall not be made by the treasurer or treasurer’s designee for or on behalf of a committee without the approval of the chairperson of the committee, or the candidate. Expenditures shall be remitted to the designated recipient within fifteen days of the date of the issuance of the payment.
a. An individual who receives contributions for a committee without the prior authorization of the chairperson of the committee or the candidate shall be responsible for either rendering the contributions to the treasurer within fifteen days of the date of receipt of the contributions, or depositing the contributions in the account maintained by the committee within seven days of the date of receipt of the contributions.
A person, other than a candidate or committee officer, who receives contributions for a committee shall, not later than fifteen days from the date of receipt of the contributions or on demand of the treasurer, render to the treasurer the contributions and an account of the total of all contributions, including the name and address of each person making a contribution in excess of twenty-five dollars, the amount of the contributions, and the date on which the contributions were received.
The treasurer shall deposit all contributions within seven days of receipt by the treasurer in an account maintained by the committee.
All funds of a committee shall be segregated from any other funds held by officers, members, or associates of the committee or the committee’s candidate. However, if a candidate’s committee receives contributions only from the candidate, or if a permanent organization temporarily engages in activity that qualifies it as a political committee and all expenditures of the organization are made from existing general operating funds and funds are not solicited or received for this purpose from sources other than operating funds, then that committee is not required to maintain a separate account in a financial institution.
Committee funds or committee property shall not be used for the personal benefit of a candidate, officer, member, or associate of the committee. The funds of a committee are not attachable for the personal debt of the committee’s candidate or an officer, member, or associate of the committee.
The treasurer of a committee shall keep a detailed and exact account of:
All contributions made to or for the committee.
The name and mailing address of every person making contributions in excess of twenty-five dollars, and the date and amount of the contribution.
All disbursements made from contributions by or on behalf of the committee.
The name and mailing address of every person to whom any expenditure is made, the purpose of the expenditure, the date and amount of the expenditure and the name and address of, and office sought by each candidate, if any, on whose behalf the expenditure was made. Notwithstanding this paragraph, the treasurer may keep a miscellaneous account for disbursements of less than five dollars which need only show the amount of the disbursement so long as the aggregate miscellaneous disbursements to any one person during a calendar year do not exceed one hundred dollars.
Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection 3, paragraph “d”, of this section, when an expenditure is made by a committee in support of the entire state or local political party ticket, only the name of the party shall be given.
The treasurer and candidate in the case of a candidate’s committee, and the treasurer and chairperson in the case of a political committee, shall preserve all records required to be kept by this section for a period of five years. However, a committee is not required to preserve any records for more than three years from the certified date of dissolution of the committee. For purposes of this section, the five-year period shall commence with the due date of the disclosure report covering the activity documented in the records.

SUBCHAPTER III – CAMPAIGN FUNDS AND PROPERTY

68A.301 Campaign funds.

A candidate’s committee shall not accept contributions from, or make contributions to, any other candidate’s committee including candidate’s committees from other states or for federal office, unless the candidate for whom each committee is established is the same person. For purposes of this section, “contributions” includes monetary and in-kind contributions but does not include travel costs incurred by a candidate in attending a campaign event of another candidate and does not include the sharing of information in any format.
This section shall not be construed to prohibit a candidate or candidate’s committee from using campaign funds or accepting contributions for tickets to meals if the candidate attends solely for the purpose of enhancing the person’s candidacy or the candidacy of another person.

68A.302 Uses of campaign funds.

A candidate and the candidate’s committee shall use campaign funds only for campaign purposes, educational and other expenses associated with the duties of office, or constituency services, and shall not use campaign funds for personal expenses or personal benefit. The purchase of subscriptions to newspapers from or which circulate within the area represented by the office which a candidate is seeking or holds is presumed to be an expense that is associated with the duties of the campaign for and duties of office.
Campaign funds shall not be used for any of the following purposes:
Payment of civil or criminal penalties. However, payment of civil penalties relating to campaign finance and disclosure requirements is permitted.
Satisfaction of personal debts, other than campaign loans.
Personal services, including the services of attorneys, accountants, physicians, and other professional persons. However, payment for personal services directly related to campaign activities is permitted.
Clothing or laundry expense of a candidate or members of the candidate’s family.
Purchase of or installment payments for a motor vehicle. However, a candidate may lease a motor vehicle during the duration of the campaign if the vehicle will be used for campaign purposes. If a vehicle is leased, detailed records shall be kept on the use of the vehicle and the cost of noncampaign usage shall not be paid from campaign funds. Candidates and campaign workers may be reimbursed for actual mileage for campaign-related travel at a rate not to exceed the current rate of reimbursement allowed under the standard mileage rate method for computation of business expenses pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code.
Mortgage payments, rental payments, furnishings, or renovation or improvement expenses for a permanent residence of a candidate or family member, including a residence in the state capital during a term of office or legislative session.
Membership in professional organizations.
Membership in service organizations, except those organizations which the candidate joins solely for the purpose of enhancing the candidacy.
Meals, groceries, or other food expense, except for tickets to meals that the candidate attends solely for the purpose of enhancing the candidacy or the candidacy of another person. However, payment for food and drink purchased for campaign-related purposes and for entertainment of campaign volunteers is permitted.
Payments clearly in excess of the fair market value of the item or service purchased.
Payment to a candidate or the candidate’s immediate family member as a salary, gratuity, or other compensation. However, reimbursement of expenses as otherwise authorized in this section is permitted. For purposes of this paragraph, “immediate family member” means the spouse or dependent child of a candidate.
The board shall adopt rules which list items that represent proper campaign expenses.

68A.303 Transfer of campaign funds.

In addition to the uses permitted under section 68A.302, a candidate’s committee may only transfer campaign funds in one or more of the following ways:
Contributions to charitable organizations unless the candidate or the candidate’s spouse, child, stepchild, brother, brother-in-law, stepbrother, sister, sister-in-law, stepsister, parent, parent-in-law, or stepparent is employed by the charitable organization and will receive a direct financial benefit from a contribution.
Contributions to national, state, or local political party central committees, or to partisan political committees organized to represent persons within the boundaries of a congressional district.
Transfers to the treasurer of state for deposit in the general fund of the state, or to the appropriate treasurer for deposit in the general fund of a political subdivision of the state.
Return of contributions to contributors on a pro rata basis, except that any contributor who contributed five dollars or less may be excluded from the distribution.
Contributions to another candidate’s committee when the candidate for whom both committees are formed is the same person.
If an unexpended balance of campaign funds remains when a candidate’s committee dissolves, the unexpended balance shall be transferred pursuant to subsection 1.
A candidate or candidate’s committee making a transfer of campaign funds pursuant to subsection 1 or 2 shall not place any requirements or conditions on the use of the campaign funds transferred.
A candidate or candidate’s committee shall not transfer campaign funds except as provided in this section.
A candidate, candidate’s committee, or any other person shall not directly or indirectly receive or transfer campaign funds with the intent of circumventing the requirements of this section. A candidate for statewide or legislative office shall not establish, direct, or maintain a political committee.
A person shall not knowingly make transfers or contributions to a candidate or candidate’s committee for the purpose of transferring the funds to another candidate or candidate’s committee to avoid the disclosure of the source of the funds pursuant to this chapter. A candidate or candidate’s committee shall not knowingly accept transfers or contributions from any person for the purpose of transferring funds to another candidate or candidate’s committee as prohibited by this subsection. A candidate or candidate’s committee shall not accept transfers or contributions which have been transferred to another candidate or candidate’s committee as prohibited by this subsection. The board shall notify candidates of the prohibition of such transfers and contributions under this subsection.

68A.304 Campaign property.

a. Equipment, supplies, or other materials purchased with campaign funds or received in-kind are campaign property.
Campaign property belongs to the candidate’s committee and not to the candidate.
Campaign property that has a value of five hundred dollars or more at the time it is acquired by the committee shall be separately disclosed as committee inventory on reports filed pursuant to section 68A.402, including a declaration of the approximate current value of the property. The campaign property shall continue to be reported as committee inventory until it is disposed of by the committee or until the property has been reported once as having a residual value of less than one hundred dollars.
Consumable campaign property is not required to be reported as committee inventory, regardless of the initial value of the consumable campaign property. “Consumable campaign property”, for purposes of this section, means stationery, campaign signs, and other campaign materials that have been permanently imprinted to be specific to a candidate or election.
Upon dissolution of the candidate’s committee, a report accounting for the disposition of all items of campaign property, excluding consumable campaign property, having a residual value of one hundred dollars or more shall be filed with the board. Campaign property, excluding consumable campaign property, having a residual value of one hundred dollars or more shall be disposed of by one of the following methods:
Sale of the property at fair market value, in which case the proceeds shall be treated the same as other campaign funds.
Donation of the property under one of the options for transferring campaign funds set forth in section 68A.303.
Consumable campaign property may be disposed of in any manner by the candidate’s committee. A candidate’s committee shall not transfer consumable campaign property to another candidate without receiving fair market value compensation unless the candidate in both campaigns is the same person.
The board shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A defining “fair market value” for purposes of this section.

SUBCHAPTER IV – REPORTS — INDEPENDENT EXPENDITURES — POLITICAL MATERIAL

68A.401 Reports filed with board.

All statements and reports required to be filed under this chapter shall be filed with the board as provided in this section and section 68A.402, subsection 1. The board shall post on its internet site all statements and reports filed under this chapter. For purposes of this section, the term “statement” does not include a bank statement.
A state statutory political committee, a county statutory political committee, a political committee expressly advocating for or against the nomination, election, or defeat of a candidate for statewide office or the general assembly, and a candidate’s committee of a candidate for statewide office or the general assembly shall file all statements and reports in an electronic format by 4:30 p.m. of the day the filing is due and according to rules adopted by the board.
Any other candidate or committee involved in a county, city, school, or other political subdivision election that accepts monetary or in-kind contributions in excess of two thousand dollars, or incurs indebtedness in excess of two thousand dollars in the aggregate in a calendar year, or makes expenditures in excess of two thousand dollars in a calendar year to expressly advocate for or against a clearly identified candidate or ballot issue shall file all statements and reports in an electronic format by 4:30 p.m. of the day the filing is due and according to rules adopted by the board. The committee shall continue to file subsequent statements and reports in an electronic format until being certified as dissolved under section 68A.402B.
Effective January 1, 2016, any other candidate or political committee not described in paragraphs “a” and “b” shall file all statements and reports in an electronic format by 4:30 p.m. of the day the filing is due according to rules adopted by the board pursuant to chapter 17A.
If the board determines that a violation of this subsection has occurred, the board may impose any of the remedies or penalties provided for under section 68B.32D, except that the board shall not refer any complaint or supporting information of a violation of this section to the attorney general or any county attorney for prosecution.
The board shall retain filed statements and reports for at least five years from the date of the election in which the committee is involved, or at least five years from the certified date of dissolution of the committee, whichever date is later.
The candidate of a candidate’s committee, or the chairperson of any other committee, is responsible for filing statements and reports under this chapter. The board shall send notice to a committee that has failed to file a disclosure report at the time required under section 68A.402. A candidate of a candidate’s committee, or the chairperson of any other committee, may be subject to a civil penalty for failure to file a disclosure report required under section 68A.402.
Political committees expressly advocating the nomination, election, or defeat of candidates for both federal office and any elected office created by law or the Constitution of the State of Iowa shall file statements and reports with the board in addition to any federal reports required to be filed with the board. However, a political committee that is registered and filing full disclosure reports of all financial activities with the federal election commission may file verified statements as provided in section 68A.201A.

68A.401A Reporting of contributions and expenditures relating to issue advocacy.

A political organization that is required to file reports with the internal revenue service, pursuant to 26 U.S.C. §527, shall file a report with the board if that organization does both of the following:
Creates or disseminates a communication of issue advocacy in this state.
Receives or expects to receive twenty-five thousand dollars or more in gross receipts in any taxable year.
A report required under this section shall contain the following information:
The amount, date, and purpose of each expenditure made to a person if the aggregate amount of expenditures to such person during the calendar year equals or exceeds five hundred dollars and the name and address of the person, and, in the case of an individual, the occupation and name of employer of the individual.
The name and address, and, in the case of an individual, the occupation and name of employer of such individual, of all contributors which contributed an aggregate amount of two hundred dollars or more to the organization during the calendar year and the amount and date of the contribution.
The board shall by rule establish a procedure for the filing of reports required by this section. To the extent practicable the reporting periods and filing due dates shall be the same as set out in 26 U.S.C. §527(j)(2).
The term “issue advocacy” means any print, radio, televised, telephonic, or electronic communication in any form or content, which is disseminated to the general public or a segment of the general public, that refers to a clearly identified candidate for the general assembly or statewide office.
The penalty set out in section 68A.701 does not apply to a violation of this section. The penalties for a violation of this section are as set out in section 68B.32D.

68A.402 Disclosure report due dates — permanent organization temporarily engaging in political activity required to file reports.

Filing methods. Each committee shall file with the board reports disclosing information required under this section on forms prescribed by rule. Except as set out in section 68A.401, reports shall be filed on or before the required due dates by using any of the following methods: mail bearing a United States postal service postmark, hand-delivery, facsimile transmission, electronic mail attachment, or electronic filing as prescribed by rule. Any report that is required to be filed five days or less prior to an election must be physically received by the board to be considered timely filed. For purposes of this section, “physically received” means the report is either electronically filed using the board’s electronic filing system or is received by the board prior to 4:30 p.m. on the report due date.
Statewide office, general assembly, and county elections.
Election year. A candidate’s committee of a candidate for statewide office, the general assembly, or county office shall file reports in an election year as follows:

Report due: Covering period:

May 19 January 1 through May 14

July 19 May 15 or Wednesday

preceding primary

election through July 14

October 19 July 15 through October 14

January 19 (next October 15 or Wednesday

calendar year) preceding general election through December 31

Supplementary report — statewide and general assembly elections.

(1) A candidate’s committee of a candidate for statewide office or the general assembly shall file a supplementary report in a year in which a primary, general, or special election for that office is held. The supplementary reports shall be filed if contributions are received after the close of the period covered by the last report filed prior to that primary, general, or special election if any of the following applies:

(a) The committee of a candidate for governor receives ten thousand dollars or more.

(b) The committee of a candidate for any other statewide office receives five thousand dollars or more.

(2) The amount of any contribution causing a supplementary report under this paragraph “b” shall include the estimated fair market value of any in-kind contribution. The report shall be filed by the Friday immediately preceding the election and be current through the Tuesday immediately preceding the election.

Nonelection year. A candidate’s committee of a candidate for statewide office, the general assembly, or county office shall file reports in a nonelection year as follows:

Report due: Covering period:

January 19 January 1 through

December 31

of the previous year

City offices.
Election year. A candidate’s committee of a candidate for city office shall file a report in an election year as follows:

Report due: Covering period:

Five days before Date of initial activity

primary election through ten days before

primary election

Five days before Nine days before primary

general election election through ten days

before general election

Five days before Nine days before the

runoff election general election through

(if applicable) ten days before the

runoff election

January 19 (next Cutoff date from

calendar year) previously filed report

through December 31

Nonelection year. A candidate’s committee of a candidate for city office shall file a report in a nonelection year as follows:

Report due: Covering period:

January 19 (next January 1 through

calendar year) December 31

of nonelection year

Runoff elections. Only a candidate who is eligible to participate in a runoff election is required to file a report five days before the runoff election.
School board and other political subdivision elections.
Election year. A candidate’s committee of a candidate for school board or any other political subdivision office, except for county and city office, shall file a report in an election year as follows:

Report due: Covering period:

Five days before Date of initial activity

election through ten days before

election

January 19 (next Nine days before election

calendar year) through December 31

Nonelection year. A candidate’s committee of a candidate for school board or any other political subdivision office, except for county and city office, shall file a report in a nonelection year as follows:

Report due: Covering period:

January 19 (next January 1 through

calendar year) December 31

of nonelection year

Special elections.
A candidate’s committee shall file a report by the fifth day prior to a special election that is current through the tenth day prior to the special election.
Special elections — nonelection year. A candidate’s committee at a special election shall file a report in a nonelection year as follows:

Report due: Covering period:

January 19 (next January 1 through

calendar year) December 31

of nonelection year

Statutory political committees.
A state statutory political committee shall file a report on the same dates as a candidate’s committee is required to file reports under subsection 2, paragraphs “a” and “c”.
A county statutory political committee shall file a report on the same dates as a candidate’s committee is required to file reports under subsection 2, paragraphs “a” and “c”.
Political committees.
Statewide office and general assembly elections.

(1) Election year. A political committee expressly advocating the nomination, election, or defeat of candidates for statewide office or the general assembly shall file a report on the same dates as a candidate’s committee is required to file reports under subsection 2, paragraph “a”.

(2) Nonelection year. A political committee expressly advocating the nomination, election, or defeat of candidates for statewide office or the general assembly shall file a report as follows:

Report due: Covering period:

July 19 January 1 through

June 30

January 19 (next July 1 through

calendar year) December 31

County elections. A political committee expressly advocating the nomination, election, or defeat of candidates for county office shall file reports on the same dates as a candidate’s committee is required to file reports under subsection 2, paragraphs “a” and “c”.
City elections. A political committee expressly advocating the nomination, election, or defeat of candidates for city office shall file reports on the same dates as candidates for city office are required to file reports under subsection 3.
School board and other political subdivision elections. A political committee expressly advocating the nomination, election, or defeat of candidates for school board or other political subdivision office, except for county office or city office, shall file reports on the same dates as candidates for school board or other political subdivision office are required to file reports under subsection 4.
Political committees — ballot issues. A political committee expressly advocating the passage or defeat of a ballot issue shall file reports on the same dates as a candidate’s committee is required to file reports under subsection 2, paragraphs “a” and “c” and another report five days before an election covering the period from the previous report or date of initial activity through ten days before the election.
Permanent organizations. A permanent organization temporarily engaging in activity described in section 68A.102, subsection 18, shall organize a political committee and shall keep the funds relating to that political activity segregated from its operating funds. The political committee shall file reports on the appropriate due dates as required by this section. The reports filed under this subsection shall identify the source of the original funds used for a contribution made to a candidate or a committee organized under this chapter. When the permanent organization ceases to be involved in the political activity, the permanent organization shall dissolve the political committee. As used in this subsection, “permanent organization” means an organization that is continuing, stable, and enduring, and was originally organized for purposes other than engaging in election activities.
Election year defined. As used in this section, “election year” means a year in which the name of the candidate or ballot issue that is expressly advocated for or against appears on any ballot to be voted on by the electors of the state of Iowa. For state and county statutory political committees, and all other political committees except for political committees that advocate for or against ballot issues, “election year” means a year in which primary and general elections are held.

68A.402A Information disclosed on reports.

Each report filed under section 68A.402 shall disclose:
The amount of cash on hand at the beginning of the reporting period.
The name and mailing address of each person who has made one or more contributions of money to the committee when the aggregate amount in a calendar year exceeds the amount specified in the following schedule:

(1) For any candidate for school or other political subdivision office: $ 25

(2) For any candidate for city office: $ 25

(3) For any candidate for county office: $ 25

(4) For any candidate for the general assembly: $ 25

(5) For any candidate for statewide office: $ 25

(6) For any state statutory political committee: $200

(7) For any county statutory political committee: $ 50

(8) For any political committee: $ 25

The total amount of contributions made to the committee during the reporting period and not reported under paragraph “b”.
The name and mailing address of each person who has made one or more in-kind contributions to the committee when the aggregate market value of the in-kind contributions in a calendar year exceeds the applicable amount specified in paragraph “b”. In-kind contributions shall be designated on a separate schedule from schedules showing contributions of money and shall identify the nature of the contribution and provide its estimated fair market value. A committee receiving an in-kind contribution shall report the estimated fair market value of the in-kind contribution at the time it is provided to the committee. A person providing an in-kind contribution to a committee shall notify the committee of the estimated fair market value of the in-kind contribution at the time the in-kind contribution is provided to the committee. For purposes of this section, the estimated fair market value of the in-kind contribution shall be reported regardless of whether the person has been billed for the cost of the in-kind contribution.
Each loan to any person or committee within the calendar year if in the aggregate the amount of the loan or loans exceeds the applicable amount specified in paragraph “b”, together with the name and mailing address of the lender and endorsers, the date and amount of each loan received, and the date and amount of each loan repayment. Loans received and loan repayments shall be reported on a separate schedule.
The name and mailing address of each person to whom disbursements or loan repayments have been made by the committee from contributions during the reporting period and the amount, purpose, and date of each disbursement except that disbursements of less than five dollars may be shown as miscellaneous disbursements so long as the aggregate miscellaneous disbursements to any one person during a calendar year do not exceed one hundred dollars.
Disbursements made to a consultant and disbursements made by the consultant during the reporting period disclosing the name and address of the recipient, amount, purpose, and date.
The amount and nature of debts and obligations owed by the committee in excess of the applicable amounts specified in the schedule in paragraph “b”. Loans made to a committee and reported under paragraph “e” shall not be considered a debt or obligation under this paragraph. A loan made by a committee to any person shall be considered a disbursement.
If a person listed under paragraph “b”, “d”, “e”, or “f” as making a contribution or loan to or purchase from a candidate’s committee is related to the candidate within the third degree of consanguinity or affinity, the existence of that person’s family relationship shall be indicated on the report.
Campaign property belonging to a candidate’s committee pursuant to section 68A.304.
Other pertinent information required by this chapter, by rules adopted pursuant to this chapter, or forms prescribed by the board.
If a report is the first report filed by a committee, the report shall include all information required under subsection 1 covering the period from the beginning of the committee’s financial activity, even if from a different calendar year, through the end of the current reporting period. If no contributions have been accepted, no disbursements have been made, and no indebtedness has been incurred during that reporting period, the treasurer of the committee shall file a disclosure statement that discloses only the amount of cash on hand at the beginning of the reporting period.

68A.402B Committee dissolution — inactivity — reports.

If a committee, after having filed a statement of organization or one or more disclosure reports, dissolves or determines that it will no longer receive contributions or make disbursements, the committee shall notify the board within thirty days following such dissolution or determination by filing a dissolution report on forms prescribed by the board.
A committee shall not dissolve until all loans, debts, and obligations are paid, forgiven, or transferred and the remaining moneys in the committee’s account are distributed according to sections 68A.302 and 68A.303. If a loan is transferred or forgiven, the amount of the transferred or forgiven loan must be reported as an in-kind contribution and deducted from the loans payable balance on the disclosure form. If, upon review of a committee’s statement of dissolution and final report, the board determines that the requirements for dissolution have been satisfied, the dissolution shall be certified and the committee relieved of further filing requirements.
A person who makes one or more independent expenditures and files all statements required by section 68A.404 shall not be required to file a statement of dissolution under this section.

68A.403 Reports signed and preserved.

Unless filed in an electronic format, a report or statement required to be filed under this chapter shall be signed by the person filing the report.
A copy of every report or statement shall be preserved by the person filing it or the person’s successor for at least three years following the filing of the report or statement.

68A.404 Independent expenditures.

As used in this section, “independent expenditure” means one or more expenditures in excess of one thousand dollars in the aggregate for a communication that expressly advocates the nomination, election, or defeat of a clearly identified candidate or the passage or defeat of a ballot issue that is made without the prior approval or coordination with a candidate, candidate’s committee, or a ballot issue committee.
a. A person, other than an individual or individuals, shall not make an independent expenditure or disburse funds from its treasury to pay for, in whole or in part, an independent expenditure made by another person without the authorization of a majority of the person’s board of directors, executive council, or similar organizational leadership body of the use of treasury funds for an independent expenditure involving a candidate or ballot issue committee. Such authorization must occur in the same calendar year in which the independent expenditure is incurred.
Such authorization shall expressly provide whether the board of directors, executive council, or similar organizational leadership body authorizes one or more independent expenditures that expressly advocate the nomination or election of a candidate or passage of a ballot issue or authorizes one or more independent expenditures that expressly advocate the defeat of a candidate or ballot issue.
A foreign national shall not make an independent expenditure, directly or indirectly, that advocates the nomination, election, or defeat of any candidate or the passage or defeat of any ballot issue. As used in this section, “foreign national” means a person who is not a citizen of the United States and who is not lawfully admitted for permanent residence. “Foreign national” includes a foreign principal, such as a government of a foreign country or a foreign political party, partnership, association, corporation, organization, or other combination of persons that has its primary place of business in or is organized under the laws of a foreign country. “Foreign national” does not include a person who is a citizen of the United States or who is a national of the United States.
This section does not apply to a candidate, candidate’s committee, state statutory political committee, county statutory political committee, or a political committee. This section does not apply to a federal committee or an out-of-state committee that makes an independent expenditure. A person who makes one or more independent expenditures and files all statements required by this section shall not be required to organize a committee or file the statement of organization required under section 68A.201.
A person, other than a committee registered under this chapter, that makes one or more independent expenditures shall file an independent expenditure statement. All statements required by this section shall be filed in an electronic format as prescribed by rule.
a. An independent expenditure statement shall be filed within forty-eight hours of the making of an independent expenditure in excess of one thousand dollars in the aggregate, or within forty-eight hours of disseminating the communication to its intended audience, whichever is earlier. For purposes of this section, an independent expenditure is made when the independent expenditure communication is purchased or ordered regardless of whether or not the person making the independent expenditure has been billed for the cost of the independent expenditure.
An independent expenditure statement shall be filed with the board and the board shall immediately make the independent expenditure statement available for public viewing.
For purposes of this section, an independent expenditure is made at the time that the cost is incurred.
The independent expenditure statement shall contain all of the following information:
Identification of the individuals or persons filing the statement.
Description of the position advocated by the individuals or persons with regard to the clearly identified candidate or ballot issue.
Identification of the candidate or ballot issue benefited by the independent expenditure.
The dates on which the expenditure or expenditures took place or will take place.
Description of the nature of the action taken that resulted in the expenditure or expenditures.
The fair market value of the expenditure or expenditures.
A certification by an officer representing the person, if the person is other than an individual or individuals, that the board of directors, executive council, or similar organizational leadership body expressly authorized the independent expenditure or use of treasury funds for the independent expenditure by resolution or other affirmative action within the calendar year when the independent expenditure was incurred.
The name and address of every contributor or source of funding that provided anything of value that was provided for the purpose of furthering the independent expenditure. A person making an independent expenditure shall not be required to disclose the names and addresses of individual members who pay dues to a labor union, organization, or association or individual stockholders of a business corporation.
Any person making an independent expenditure shall comply with the attribution requirements of section 68A.405.
A person making an independent expenditure shall not engage or retain an advertising firm or consultant that has also been engaged or retained within the prior six months by the candidate, candidate’s committee, or ballot issue committee that is benefited by the independent expenditure.
a. The board shall develop, prescribe, furnish, and distribute forms for the independent expenditure statements required by this section.
The board shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A for the implementation of this section.

68A.405 Attribution statement on published material.

a. For purposes of this subsection:

(1) “Individual” includes a candidate for public office who has not filed a statement of organization under section 68A.201.

(2) “Organization” includes an organization established to advocate the passage or defeat of a ballot issue but that has not filed a statement of organization under section 68A.201.

(3) “Published material” means any newspaper, magazine, shopper, outdoor advertising facility, poster, direct mailing, brochure, internet site, campaign sign, or any other form of printed or electronic general public political advertising. “Published material” includes television, video, or motion picture advertising.

(1) Except as set out in subsection 2, published material designed to expressly advocate the nomination, election, or defeat of a candidate for public office or the passage or defeat of a ballot issue shall include on the published material an attribution statement disclosing who is responsible for the published material.

(2) The person who is responsible for the published material has the sole responsibility and liability for the attribution statement required by this section.

If the person paying for the published material is an individual, the words “paid for by” and the name and address of the person shall appear on the material.
If more than one individual is responsible, the words “paid for by”, the names of the individuals, and either the addresses of the individuals or a statement that the addresses of the individuals are on file with the Iowa ethics and campaign disclosure board shall appear on the material.
If the person responsible is an organization, the words “paid for by”, the name and address of the organization, and the name of one officer of the organization shall appear on the material.
If the person responsible is a corporation, the words “paid for by”, the name and address of the corporation, and the name and title of the corporation’s chief executive officer shall appear on the material.
If the person responsible is a committee that has filed a statement of organization pursuant to section 68A.201, the words “paid for by” and the name of the committee shall appear on the material.
If the published material is the result of an independent expenditure subject to section 68A.404, the published material shall include a statement that the published material was not authorized by any candidate, candidate’s committee, or ballot issue committee.
The requirement to include an attribution statement does not apply to any of the following:
The editorials or news articles of a newspaper, magazine, television station, or other print or electronic media that are not paid political advertisements.
Small items upon which the inclusion of the statement is impracticable including but not limited to campaign signs as provided in section 68A.406, subsection 3, bumper stickers, pins, buttons, pens, political business cards, and matchbooks.
T-shirts, caps, and other articles of clothing.
Any published material that is subject to federal regulations regarding an attribution requirement.
Any material published by an individual, acting independently, who spends one hundred dollars or less of the individual’s own money to advocate the passage or defeat of a ballot issue.
For television, video, or motion picture advertising, the attribution statement shall be displayed on the screen in a clearly readable manner for at least four seconds.
The board shall adopt rules relating to the placing of an attribution statement on published materials.

68A.406 Campaign signs — yard signs.

Campaign signs may be placed with the permission of the property owner or lessee on any of the following:
Residential property.
Agricultural land owned by individuals or by a family farm operation as defined in section 9H.1, subsections 9, 10, and 11.
Property leased for residential purposes including but not limited to apartments, condominiums, college housing facilities, and houses if placed only on leased property space that is actually occupied.
Vacant lots owned by a person who is not a prohibited contributor under section 68A.503.
Property owned by an organization that is not a prohibited contributor under section 68A.503.
Property leased by a candidate, committee, or an organization established to advocate the nomination, election, or defeat of a candidate or the passage or defeat of a ballot issue that has not yet registered pursuant to section 68A.201, when the property is used as campaign headquarters or a campaign office and the placement of the sign is limited to the space that is actually leased.
a. Campaign signs shall not be placed on any of the following:

(1) Any property owned by the state or the governing body of a county, city, or other political subdivision of the state, including all property considered the public right-of-way. Upon a determination by the board that a sign has been improperly placed, the sign shall be removed by highway authorities as provided in section 318.5, or by county or city law enforcement authorities in a manner consistent with section 318.5.

(2) Property owned, leased, or occupied by a prohibited contributor under section 68A.503 unless the sign advocates the passage or defeat of a ballot issue or is exempted under subsection 1.

(3) On any property without the permission of the property owner or lessee.

(4) On election day either on the premises of any polling place or within three hundred feet of any outside door of any building affording access to any room where the polls are held, or of any outside door of any building affording access to any hallway, corridor, stairway, or other means of reaching the room where the polls are held.

(5) On the premises of or within three hundred feet of any outside door of any building affording access to an absentee voting site during the hours when absentee ballots are available in the office of the county commissioner of elections as provided in section 53.10.

(6) On the premises of or within three hundred feet of any outside door of any building affording access to a satellite absentee voting station during the hours when absentee ballots are available at the satellite absentee voting station as provided in section 53.11.

Paragraph “a”, subparagraphs (4), (5), and (6) shall not apply to the posting of signs on private property not a polling place, except that the placement of a sign on a motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer, or any attachment to a motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer parked on public property within three hundred feet of any outside door of any building affording access to any room serving as a polling place, which sign is more than ninety square inches in size, is prohibited.
Campaign signs with dimensions of thirty-two square feet or less are exempt from the attribution statement requirement in section 68A.405. Campaign signs in excess of thirty-two square feet, or signs that are affixed to buildings or vehicles regardless of size except for bumper stickers, are required to include the attribution statement required by section 68A.405. The placement or erection of campaign signs shall be exempt from the requirements of chapter 480 relating to underground facilities information.

SUBCHAPTER V – PROHIBITED ACTS — CONTRIBUTIONS, PUBLIC MONEYS, CAMPAIGN PRACTICES

68A.501 Funds from unknown source — escheat.

The expenditure of funds from an unknown or unidentifiable source received by a candidate or committee is prohibited. Such funds received by a candidate or committee shall escheat to the state. Any candidate or committee receiving such contributions shall remit such contributions to the board which shall forward it to the treasurer of state for deposit in the general fund of the state. Persons requested to make a contribution at a fundraising event shall be advised that it is illegal to make a contribution in excess of twenty-five dollars unless the person making the contribution also provides the person’s name and address.

68A.502 Contribution in name of another — prohibited.

A person shall not make a contribution or expenditure in the name of another person, and a person shall not knowingly accept a contribution or expenditure made by one person in the name of another. For the purpose of this section, a contribution or expenditure made by one person which is ultimately reimbursed by another person who has not been identified as the ultimate source or recipient of the funds is considered to be an illegal contribution or expenditure in the name of another.
Any candidate or committee receiving funds, the original source of which was a loan, shall be required to list the lender as a contributor. No candidate or committee shall knowingly receive funds from a contributor who has borrowed the money without listing the original source of said money.

68A.503 Financial institution, insurance company, and corporation contributions — sham newspapers.

Except as provided in subsections 3, 4, 5, and 6, an insurance company, savings association, bank, credit union, or corporation shall not make a monetary or in-kind contribution to a candidate or committee except for a ballot issue committee.
Except as provided in subsection 3, a candidate or committee, except for a ballot issue committee, shall not receive a monetary or in-kind contribution from an insurance company, savings association, bank, credit union, or corporation.
An insurance company, savings association, bank, credit union, or corporation may use money, property, labor, or any other thing of value of the entity for the purposes of soliciting its stockholders, administrative officers, professional employees, and members for contributions to a political committee sponsored by that entity and for financing the administration of a political committee sponsored by that entity. The entity’s employees to whom the foregoing authority does not extend may voluntarily contribute to such a political committee but shall not be solicited for contributions. A candidate or committee may solicit, request, and receive money, property, labor, and any other thing of value from a political committee sponsored by an insurance company, savings association, bank, credit union, or corporation as permitted by this subsection.
The prohibitions in subsections 1 and 2 shall not apply to an insurance company, savings association, bank, credit union, or corporation engaged in any of the following activities:
Using its funds to encourage registration of voters and participation in the political process or to publicize public issues.
Using its funds to expressly advocate the passage or defeat of ballot issues.
Using its funds for independent expenditures as provided in section 68A.404.
Using its funds to place campaign signs as permitted under section 68A.406.
a. The prohibitions in subsections 1 and 2 shall not apply to media organizations when discussing candidates, nominations, public officers, or public questions.
Notwithstanding paragraph “a”, the board shall adopt rules requiring the owner, publisher, or editor of a sham newspaper that promotes in any way the candidacy of a person for any public office to comply with this section and section 68A.404. As used in this subsection, “sham newspaper” means a newspaper publication that is published for the primary purpose of evading the requirements of this section or section 68A.404, and “owner” means a person having an ownership interest exceeding ten percent of the equity or profits of the publication.
The prohibitions in subsections 1 and 2 shall not apply to a nonprofit organization communicating with its own members. The board shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A to administer this subsection.
For purposes of this section “corporation” means a for-profit or nonprofit corporation organized pursuant to the laws of this state, the United States, or any other state, territory, or foreign country.

68A.504 Prohibiting contributions during the legislative session.

A lobbyist or political committee, other than a state statutory political committee, county statutory political committee, or a national political party, shall not contribute to, act as an agent or intermediary for contributions to, or arrange for the making of monetary or in-kind contributions to the campaign of an elected state official, member of the general assembly, or candidate for state office on any day during the regular legislative session and, in the case of the governor or a gubernatorial candidate, during the thirty days following the adjournment of a regular legislative session allowed for the signing of bills. Except as set out in subsection 2, an elected state official, member of the general assembly, or candidate for state office shall not accept a contribution as prohibited in this subsection.
The prohibition in subsection 1 shall not apply to the following:
The receipt of contributions by an elected state official, member of the general assembly, or candidate for state office who has taken affirmative action to seek nomination or election to a federal elective office so long as the contribution is placed in a federal campaign account.
The receipt of contributions by a candidate for state office who filed nomination papers for an office for which a special election is called or held during the regular legislative session, if the candidate receives the contribution during the period commencing on the date that at least two candidates have been nominated for the office and ending on the date the election is held. A person who is an elected state official shall not solicit contributions during a legislative session from any lobbyist or political committee, other than a state statutory political committee, county statutory political committee, or a national political party, for another candidate for a state office for which a special election is held.

68A.505 Use of public moneys for political purposes.

The state and the governing body of a county, city, or other political subdivision of the state shall not expend or permit the expenditure of public moneys for political purposes, including expressly advocating the passage or defeat of a ballot issue.
This section shall not be construed to limit the freedom of speech of officials or employees of the state or of officials or employees of a governing body of a county, city, or other political subdivision of the state. This section also shall not be construed to prohibit the state or a governing body of a political subdivision of the state from expressing an opinion on a ballot issue through the passage of a resolution or proclamation.

68A.506 Use of false caller identification for campaign purposes prohibited.

A person shall not knowingly use or provide to another person either of the following:
False caller identification information with intent to defraud for purposes related to expressly advocating the nomination, election, or defeat of a clearly identified candidate or for the passage or defeat of a clearly identified ballot issue.
Caller identification information pertaining to an actual person without that person’s consent and with intent to deceive the recipient of a call about the identity of the caller.
This section shall not apply to conduct that was lawfully authorized as investigative, protective, or intelligence activity of a law enforcement agency of the United States, a state, or a political subdivision of a state.
As used in this section:
“Caller identification information” means information regarding the origination of the telephone call, such as the name or the telephone number of the caller.
“Telephone call” means a call made using or received on a telecommunications service or voice over internet protocol service.
“Voice over internet protocol service” means a service to which all of the following apply:

(1) The service provides real-time two-way voice communications transmitted using internet protocol, or a successor protocol.

(2) The service is offered to the public, or such classes of users as to be effectively available to the public.

(3) The service has the capability to originate traffic to, or terminate traffic from, the public switched telephone network or a successor network.

The board shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A to administer this section.
A person who violates this section is subject to sections 68A.701 and 68B.32D.

SUBCHAPTER VI – INCOME TAX CHECKOFF

68A.601 Checkoff — income tax.

For tax years beginning before January 1, 2017, a person whose state income tax liability for any taxable year is one dollar and fifty cents or more may direct that one dollar and fifty cents of that liability be paid over to the Iowa election campaign fund when submitting the person’s state income tax return to the department of revenue. In the case of a joint return of husband and wife having a state income tax liability of three dollars or more, each spouse may direct that one dollar and fifty cents be paid to the fund. For tax years beginning before January 1, 2017, the director of revenue shall draft the income tax form to provide spaces on the tax return which the taxpayer may use to designate that contributions made under this section be credited to a specified political party as defined by section 43.2, or to the Iowa election campaign fund as a contribution to be shared by all such political parties in the manner prescribed by section 68A.602. The form shall inform the taxpayer of the consequences of the choices provided under this section, but this information may be contained in a footnote or other suitable form if the director of revenue finds it is not feasible to place the information immediately above the signature line. The action taken by a person for the checkoff is irrevocable.

68A.602 Fund created.

The Iowa election campaign fund is created within the office of the treasurer of state. The fund shall consist of funds paid by persons as provided in section 68A.601. The treasurer of state shall maintain within the fund a separate account for each political party as defined in section 43.2. The director of revenue shall remit funds collected as provided in section 68A.601 to the treasurer of state who shall deposit such funds in the appropriate account within the Iowa election campaign fund. All contributions directed to the Iowa election campaign fund by taxpayers who do not designate any one political party to receive their contributions shall be divided by the director of revenue equally among each account currently maintained in the fund. However, at any time when more than two accounts are being maintained within the fund, contributions to the fund by taxpayers who do not designate any one political party to receive their contributions shall be divided among the accounts in the same proportion as the number of registered voters declaring affiliation with each political party for which an account is maintained bears to the total number of registered voters who have declared an affiliation with a political party. Any interest income received by the treasurer of state from investment of moneys deposited in the fund shall be deposited in the Iowa election campaign fund. Such funds shall be subject to payment to the chairperson of the specified political party as authorized by the director of revenue on warrants issued by the director of the department of administrative services in the manner provided by section 68A.605.

68A.603 Rules promulgated.

The Iowa ethics and campaign disclosure board shall administer the provisions of sections 68A.601 through 68A.609 and shall promulgate all necessary rules in accordance with chapter 17A.

68A.604 Funds.

Any candidate for a partisan public office, except as otherwise provided by section 68A.103, subsection 2, may receive campaign funds from the Iowa election campaign fund through the state central committee of the candidate’s political party. However, the state central committee of each political party shall have discretion as to which of the party’s candidates for public office shall be allocated campaign funds out of money received by that party from the Iowa election campaign fund.

68A.605 Distribution of campaign fund — restrictions on use.

The money accumulated in the Iowa election campaign fund to the account of each political party in the state shall be remitted to the party on the first business day of each month by warrant of the director of the department of administrative services drawn upon the fund in favor of the state chairperson of that party. The money received by each political party under this section shall be used as directed by the party’s state statutory political committee.
Funds distributed to statutory political committees pursuant to this chapter shall not be used to expressly advocate the nomination, election, or defeat of any candidate during the primary election. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to prohibit a statutory political committee from using such funds to pay expenses incurred in arranging and holding a nominating convention.

68A.606 Funds — campaign expenses only.

The chairperson of the state statutory political committee shall produce evidence to the Iowa ethics and campaign disclosure board not later than the twenty-fifth day of January each year, that all income tax checkoff funds expended for campaign expenses have been utilized exclusively for campaign expenses.
The Iowa ethics and campaign disclosure board shall issue, prior to the payment of any money, guidelines that explain which expenses and evidence thereof qualify as acceptable campaign expenses.
Should the Iowa ethics and campaign disclosure board determine that any part of the funds have been used for noncampaign or improper expenses, the board may order the political party or the candidate to return all or any part of the total funds paid to that political party for that election. When such funds are returned, they shall be deposited in the general fund of the state.

68A.607 Reversion of funds.

All funds on account for the campaign expenses of any designated political party which are not utilized by that political party by January 1 of the year following a general election, shall revert to the general fund of the state.

68A.608 Income tax form — checkoff space.

The director of revenue shall provide space for this campaign finance income tax checkoff on the most frequently used Iowa income tax form. An explanation shall be included which clearly states that this checkoff does not constitute an additional tax liability. The form shall provide for the taxpayer to designate that the checkoff shall go either to the political party of the taxpayer’s choice or be divided among all political parties as prescribed by section 68A.602.

68A.609 Appropriation.

There is appropriated from the Iowa election campaign fund within the office of the treasurer of state such funds as are legally payable from such fund in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.

SUBCHAPTER VII – PENALTY

68A.701 Penalty.

Any person who willfully violates any provisions of this chapter shall upon conviction, be guilty of a serious misdemeanor.

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Title II – Chapter 39

Current as of 2020 legislative session

TITLE II – ELECTIONS AND OFFICIAL DUTIES

SUBTITLE 1 – ELECTIONS

CHAPTER 39 – ELECTIONS, ELECTORS, APPOINTMENTS, TERMS, AND OFFICERS

39.1 General election.

The general election shall be held throughout the state on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of each even-numbered year.

39.2 Special elections.

1. 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 the first, second, third, and fourth Tuesdays preceding and following the primary and the general elections.

b. A special election shall not be held in conjunction with the primary election. A special election shall not be held in conjunction with a regularly scheduled or special city primary or city runoff election.

2. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 1, a special election may be held on the same day as a regularly scheduled election if the two elections are not in conflict within the meaning of section 47.6, subsection 2. A special election may be held on the same day as a regularly scheduled election with which it does so conflict if the commissioner who is responsible for conducting the elections concludes that to do so will cause no undue difficulties, except that a special election for a city, school district, or merged area shall not be scheduled to coincide with the general election.

3. a. When voting is to occur on the same day in any one precinct for two or more elections, they shall be considered one election for purposes of administration including but not limited to publishing notice of the election, preparation of the precinct election register and completion of tally sheets after the polling place has closed.

b. If a special election to fill a vacancy is held in conjunction with a regularly scheduled election, the filing deadlines for the special election shall coincide with the filing deadlines for the regularly scheduled election. An election to fill a vacancy in a city office cannot be held in conjunction with a general election if the city election procedures provide for a primary election.

4. Unless otherwise provided by law, special elections on public measures are limited to the following dates:

a. For a county, in an odd-numbered year, the first Tuesday in March, the second Tuesday in September, or the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November. For a county, in an even-numbered year, the first Tuesday in March or the second Tuesday in September.

b. For a city, in an odd-numbered year, the first Tuesday in March, the second Tuesday in September, or the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November. For a city, in an even-numbered year, the first Tuesday in March or the second Tuesday in September.

c. For a school district or merged area, in the odd-numbered year, the first Tuesday in March, the second Tuesday in September, or the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November. For a school district or merged area, in the even-numbered year, the first Tuesday in March, or the second Tuesday in September.

39.3 Definitions.

The definitions established by this section shall apply wherever the terms so defined appear in this chapter and in chapters 39A, 43, 44, 45, 47, 48A through 53, and 68A unless the context in which any such term is used clearly requires otherwise.

“Absentee ballot” means any ballot authorized by chapter 53.
“City” means a municipal corporation not including a county, township, school district, or any special purpose district or authority. When used in relation to land area, “city” includes only the land area within the city limits.
“City election” means any election held in a city for nomination or election of the officers thereof including a city primary or runoff election.
“Commissioner” means the county commissioner of elections as defined in section 47.2.
“Election” means a general election, primary election, city election, school election or special election.
“Eligible elector” means a person who possesses all of the qualifications necessary to entitle the person to be registered to vote, whether or not the person is in fact so registered.
“General election” means the biennial election for national or state officers, members of Congress and of the general assembly, county and township officers, and for the choice of other officers or the decision of questions as provided by law.
“Infamous crime” means a felony as defined in section 701.7, or an offense classified as a felony under federal law.
“Primary election” means that election by the members of various political parties for the purpose of placing in nomination candidates for public office held as required by chapter 43.
“Public measure” means any question authorized or required by law to be submitted to the voters at an election.
“Registered voter” means a person who is registered to vote pursuant to chapter 48A.
“Registrar” means the state registrar of voters designated by section 47.7.
“Registration commission” means the state voter registration commission established by section 47.8.
“School election” means that election held pursuant to section 277.1.
“Special election” means any other election held for any purpose authorized or required by law.
“State commissioner” means the state commissioner of elections as defined in section 47.1.
“Written” and “in writing” may include any mode of representing words or letters in general use. A signature, when required by law, must be made by the writing or markings of the person whose signature is required. If a person is unable due to a physical disability to make a written signature or mark, that person may substitute either of the following in lieu of a signature required by law:
The name of the person with a disability written by another upon the request and in the presence of the person with a disability.
A rubber stamp reproduction of the name or facsimile of the actual signature of the person with a disability when adopted by that person for all purposes requiring a signature and then only when affixed by that person or another upon the request and in the presence of the person with a disability.

39.4 Proclamation concerning revision of Constitution.

In the years in which the Constitution requires, or at other times when the general assembly by law provides for, a vote on the question of calling a convention and revising the Constitution, the governor shall at least sixty days before the general election issue a proclamation directing that at the general election there be proposed to the people the following question:

Shall there be a convention to revise the Constitution, and propose amendment or amendments to same?

39.5 Elections authorized. Repealed by 98 Acts, ch 1123, §17, 18.

39.6 Notice of special election.

A proclamation shall be issued before any election ordered by the governor, designating the office to be filled or the public question to be submitted at the election and designating the time at which such election shall be held; and the commissioner of each county in which such election is to be held shall give notice thereof, as provided in section 49.53.

39.7 Time of choosing officer.

At the general election next preceding the expiration of the term of any officer, a successor shall be elected.

39.8 Term of office.

The term of office of all officers chosen at a general election for a full term shall commence on the first day of January following the election which is not a Sunday or legal holiday, except when otherwise provided by the Constitution or by statute; that of an officer chosen to fill a vacancy shall commence as soon as the officer has qualified therefor.

39.9 State officers — term.

The governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, auditor of state, treasurer of state, secretary of agriculture, and attorney general shall be elected for a term of four years at the general election held in the year 1974 and every four years thereafter.

39.10 United States senators.

Senators in the Congress of the United States shall be elected in the same manner in which state officers are elected.

39.11 More than one office prohibited.

Statewide elected officials and members of the general assembly shall not hold more than one elective office at a time. All other elected officials shall not hold more than one elective office at the same level of government at a time. This section does not apply to the following offices: county agricultural extension council or soil and water conservation district commission.

39.12 Failure to vacate.

An elected official who has been elected to another elective office to which section 39.11 applies shall choose only one office in which to serve. The official shall resign from all but one of the offices to which section 39.11 applies before the beginning of the term of the office to which the person was most recently elected. Failure to submit the required resignation will result in a vacancy in all elective offices to which the person was elected.

39.13 and 39.14Reserved.

39.15 State senators.

Senators in the general assembly shall be elected at the general election in the respective senatorial districts and shall hold office for the term of four years.

39.16 Representatives.

Members of the house of representatives shall be elected at the general election in the respective representative districts and hold office for the term of two years.

39.17 County officers.

There shall be elected in each county at the general election to be held in the year 1976 and every four years thereafter, an auditor and a sheriff, each to hold office for a term of four years.
There shall be elected in each county at the general election to be held in 1974 and each four years thereafter, a treasurer, a recorder, and a county attorney who shall each hold office for a term of four years.

39.18 Board of supervisors.

There shall be elected biennially in counties, members of the board of supervisors to succeed those whose terms of office will expire on the first day of January following the election which is not a Sunday or legal holiday. The term of office of each supervisor shall be four years, except as otherwise provided by section 331.208 or 331.209.

39.19 Reserved.

39.20 City officers.

The times at which officers of cities shall be elected and their terms of office shall be as provided by or established pursuant to sections 376.1 and 376.2.

39.21 Nonpartisan offices.

There shall be elected at each general election, on a nonpartisan basis, the following officers:

County public hospital trustees as required by section 347.25.
Soil and water conservation district commissioners as required by section 161A.5.
County agricultural extension council members as provided in section 176A.6.
Township officers as provided in section 39.22, subsection 2.

39.22 Township officers.

The offices of township trustee and township clerk shall be filled by appointment or election as follows:

By appointment.
The county board of supervisors may pass a resolution in favor of filling the offices of trustee and clerk within a township by appointment by the board, and may direct the county commissioner of elections to submit the question to the registered voters of the township at the next general election. In a township which does not include a city, the voters of the entire township are eligible to vote on the question. In a township which includes a city, only those voters who reside outside the corporate limits of a city are eligible to vote on the question. The resolution shall apply to all townships which have not approved a proposition to fill township offices by appointment. If the proposition to fill the township offices by appointment is approved by a majority of those voting on the question, the board shall fill the offices by appointment as the terms of office of the incumbent township officers expire.
The election of the trustees and clerk of a township may be restored after approval of the appointment process under this subsection by a resolution of the board of supervisors submitting the question to the registered voters who are eligible to vote for township officers of the township at the next general election. If the proposition to restore the election process is approved by a majority of those voting on the question, the election of the township officers shall commence with the next general election. A resolution submitting the question of restoring the election of township officers at the next general election shall be adopted by the board of supervisors upon receipt of a petition signed by eligible electors residing in the township equal in number to at least ten percent of the registered voters of a township. The initial terms of the trustees shall be determined by lot, one for two years, and two for four years. However, if a proposition to change the method of selecting township officers is adopted by the electorate, a resolution to change the method shall not be submitted to the electorate for four years.
By election. If the county board of supervisors does not have the power provided under subsection 1 to fill the offices of trustee and clerk within a township by appointment, then the offices of township trustee and township clerk shall be filled by election on a nonpartisan basis. Township trustees and the township clerk, in townships which do not include a city, shall be elected by the voters of the entire township. In townships which include a city, the officers shall be elected by the voters of the township who reside outside the corporate limits of the city, but a township officer may be a resident of the city.
Township officers. The election of township officers shall take place at the general election on ballots which shall not reflect a nominee’s political affiliation. A person seeking election as township officer shall file an affidavit of candidacy with the county commissioner of elections pursuant to section 45.3. A plurality is sufficient to elect the township officers.
Township trustees. Township trustees shall be elected biennially to succeed those whose terms of office expire on the first day of January following the election which is not a Sunday or legal holiday. The term of office of each elected township trustee is four years, except as provided in subsection 1 for initial terms following restoration of the election process.
Township clerk. At the general election held in the year 1990 and every four years thereafter, in each civil township one township clerk shall be elected who shall hold office for the term of four years.

39.23 Reserved.

39.24 School officers.

Members of boards of directors of community and independent school districts, and boards of directors of merged areas shall be elected at the school election. Their terms of office shall be four years, except as otherwise provided by section 260C.11, 260C.13, 275.23A, 275.37, or 275.37A.

39.25 Sex no disqualification.

No person shall be disqualified on account of sex from holding any office created by the statutes of this state.

39.26 Candidate qualifications.

Any person seeking election to an elective office under the laws of this state shall be an eligible elector at the time of any election at which the person’s name appears on the ballot.

39.27 Qualifications for public office.

Any person elected to an office under the laws of this state shall be an eligible elector. At the time an elected official takes office the official shall be a resident of the state, district, county, township, city, or ward by or for which the person was elected, or in which the duties of the office are to be exercised. An elected official shall continue to be a resident of the state, district, county, township, city, or ward by or for which the person was elected, or in which the duties of the office are to be exercised for the duration of the term of office. This section shall not apply to United States senators or representatives in Congress or to members of the general assembly.

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Title II – Chapter 39A

CHAPTER 39A – ELECTION MISCONDUCT

39A.1 Title and purpose — election officials defined.

This chapter may be cited and referred to as the “Election Misconduct and Penalties Act”.
The purpose of this chapter is to identify actions which threaten the integrity of the election process and to impose significant sanctions upon persons who intentionally commit those acts. It is the intent of the general assembly that offenses with the greatest potential to affect the election process be vigorously prosecuted and strong punishment meted out through the imposition of felony sanctions which, as a consequence, remove the voting rights of the offenders. Other offenses are still considered serious, but based on the factual context in which they arise, they may not rise to the level of offenses to which felony penalties attach. The general assembly also recognizes that instances may arise in which technical infractions of chapters 39 through 53 may occur which do not merit any level of criminal sanction. In such instances, administrative notice from the state or county commissioner of elections is sufficient. Mandates or proscriptions in chapters 39 through 53 which are not specifically included in this chapter shall be considered to be directive only, without criminal sanction.
For the purposes of this chapter, “election officials” include the state commissioner, the county commissioner, employees of the state commissioner and county commissioner who are responsible for carrying out functions or duties under chapters 39 through 53, and precinct election officials appointed pursuant to sections 49.12, 49.14, 49.18, and 53.23.

39A.2 Election misconduct in the first degree.

A person commits the crime of election misconduct in the first degree if the person willfully commits any of the following acts:
Registration fraud.

(1) Produces, procures, submits, or accepts a voter registration application that is known by the person to be materially false, fictitious, forged, or fraudulent.

(2) Falsely swears to an oath required pursuant to section 48A.7A.

Vote fraud.

(1) Destroys, delivers, or handles an application for a ballot or an absentee ballot with the intent of interfering with the voter’s right to vote.

(2) Produces, procures, submits, or accepts a ballot or an absentee ballot, or produces, procures, casts, accepts, or tabulates a ballot that is known by the person to be materially false, fictitious, forged, or fraudulent.

(3) Votes or attempts to vote more than once at the same election, or votes or attempts to vote at an election knowing oneself not to be qualified.

(4) Makes a false or untrue statement in an application for an absentee ballot or makes or signs a false certification or affidavit in connection with an absentee ballot.

(5) Otherwise deprives, defrauds, or attempts to deprive or defraud the citizens of this state of a fair and impartially conducted election process.

Duress. Intimidates, threatens, or coerces, or attempts to intimidate, threaten, or coerce, a person to do or to refrain from doing any of the following:

(1) To register to vote, to vote, or to attempt to register to vote.

(2) To urge or aid a person to register to vote, to vote, or to attempt to register to vote.

(3) To sign a petition nominating a candidate for public office or a petition requesting an election for which a petition may legally be submitted.

(4) To exercise a right under chapters 39 through 53.

Bribery.

(1) Pays, offers to pay, or causes to be paid money or any other thing of value to a person to influence the person’s vote.

(2) Pays, offers to pay, or causes to be paid money or any other thing of value to an election official conditioned on some act done or omitted to be done contrary to the person’s official duty in relation to an election.

(3) Receives money or any other thing of value knowing that it was given in violation of subparagraph (1) or (2).

Conspiracy. Conspires with or acts as an accessory with another to commit an act in violation of paragraphs “a” through “d”.
Voting equipment tampering. Intentionally alters or damages any computer software or any physical part of voting equipment, automatic tabulating equipment, or any other part of a voting system.
Election misconduct in the first degree is a class “D” felony.

39A.3 Election misconduct in the second degree.

A person commits the crime of election misconduct in the second degree if the person willfully commits any of the following acts:

a. Interference with validity of election.

(1) Possesses an official ballot outside of the voting room unless the person is an election official or other person authorized by law to possess such a ballot.

(2) Makes or possesses a counterfeit of an official election ballot.

(3) Solicits or encourages a person to vote in an election knowing that person is not qualified to vote in the election.

(4) Files a challenge containing false information under section 48A.14 or 49.79.

(5) Falsely or fraudulently signs nomination papers on behalf of another person.

b. Actions by election official. As an election official:

(1) Refuses to register a person who is entitled to register to vote under chapter 48A.

(2) Accepts a fee from an applicant applying for registration.

(3) While the polls are open, opens a ballot received from a voter, except as permitted by law.

(4) Marks a ballot by folding or otherwise so as to be able to recognize it.

(5) Attempts to learn how a voter marked a ballot.

(6) Causes a voter to cast a vote contrary to the voter’s intention.

(7) Changes a ballot, or in any way causes a vote to be recorded contrary to the intention of the person casting that vote.

(8) Allows a person to do any of the acts proscribed by subparagraphs (1) through (7).

c. Miscellaneous offenses. Uses voter registration information, including resale or redistribution of the voter registration list without written permission of the state registrar, for purposes other than those permitted by section 48A.39.

Election misconduct in the second degree is an aggravated misdemeanor.

39A.4 Election misconduct in the third degree.

A person commits the crime of election misconduct in the third degree if the person willfully commits any of the following acts:
Election day acts. Any of the following on election day:

(1) Loitering, congregating, electioneering, posting signs, treating voters, or soliciting votes, during the receiving of the ballots, either on the premises of a polling place or within three hundred feet of an outside door of a building affording access to a room where the polls are held, or of an outside door of a building affording access to a hallway, corridor, stairway, or other means of reaching the room where the polls are held. This subparagraph does not apply to the posting of signs on private property not a polling place, except that the placement of a sign that is more than ninety square inches in size on a motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer, or its attachment to a motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer parked on public property within three hundred feet of a polling place is prohibited.

(2) Interrupting, hindering, or opposing a voter while in or approaching the polling place for the purpose of voting.

(3) As a voter, submitting a false statement as to the voter’s ability to mark a ballot.

(4) Interfering or attempting to interfere with a voter when the voter is inside the enclosed voting space, or when the voter is marking a ballot.

(5) Endeavoring to induce a voter to show how the voter marks or has marked a ballot.

(6) Marking, or causing in any manner to be marked, on a ballot, any character for the purpose of identifying such ballot.

Actions by election official. As an election official:

(1) Serving as a member of a challenging committee or observer under section 49.104, subsection 2, 5, or 6, while serving as a precinct election official at the polls.

(2) Failing to perform duties prescribed by chapters 39 through 53, or performing those duties in such a way as to hinder the object of the law.

(3) Disclosing the manner in which a person’s ballot has been voted to anyone except as ordered by a court.

(4) Failing to carry out a duty with regard to access under chapter 22 to a public record that relates to an election or voter registration.

(5) Furnishing a voter with a ballot other than the proper ballot to be used at an election.

(6) Making or consenting to a false entry on the list of voters or poll books.

(7) Placing or permitting another election official to place anything other than a ballot into a ballot box as provided in section 49.85, or permitting a person other than an election official to place anything into a ballot box.

(8) Taking or permitting to be taken out of a ballot box a ballot deposited in the ballot box, except in the manner prescribed by law.

(9) Destroying or altering a ballot that has been given to a voter.

(10) Permitting a person to vote in a manner prohibited by law.

(11) Refusing or rejecting the vote of a voter qualified to vote.

(12) Wrongfully acting or refusing to act for the purpose of avoiding an election, or of rendering invalid a ballot cast from a precinct or other voting district.

(13) Having been deputized to carry the poll books of an election to the place where they are to be canvassed, failing to deliver them to such place, safe, with seals unbroken, and within the time specified by law.

Miscellaneous offenses.

(1) As a party committee member or a primary election officer or public officer upon whom a duty is imposed by chapter 43 or by a statute applicable to chapter 43, neglecting to perform any such duty, or performing any such duty in such a way as to hinder the object of the statute, or by disclosing to anyone, except as may be ordered by a court, the manner in which a ballot may have been voted.

(2) As a person who is designated pursuant to section 43.4 to report the results of a precinct caucus as it relates to the selection and reporting of delegates selected as part of the presidential nominating process or who is designated pursuant to section 43.4 to tabulate and report the number of persons attending the caucus favoring each presidential candidate, failing to perform those duties, falsifying the information, or omitting information required to be reported under section 43.4.

(3) Making a false answer under chapter 43 relative to a person’s qualifications and party affiliations.

(4) Paying, offering to pay, or receiving compensation for voter registration assistance in violation of section 48A.25.

(5) Using voter registration information in violation of section 48A.39.

(6) As a candidate, making a promise to name or appoint another person to a position or to secure a position for another person in violation of section 49.120.

(7) Soliciting the use of influence from a candidate in violation of section 49.121.

(8) As a public official or employee, or a person acting under color of a public official or employee, knowingly requiring a public employee to act in connection with an absentee ballot in violation of section 53.7.

(9) As a person designated by the county commissioner of elections or by the voter casting an absentee ballot, failing to return an absentee ballot in violation of section 53.35A.

(10) As an incumbent officeholder of, or a candidate for, an office being voted for at the election in progress, serving as a member of a challenging committee or observer under section 49.104, subsection 2, 5, or 6, or section 53.23, subsection 4.

(11) Returning a voted absentee ballot, by mail or in person, to the commissioner’s office and the person returning the ballot is not the voter, the voter’s designee, or a special precinct election official designated pursuant to section 53.22, subsection 2.

(12) Making a false or untrue statement reporting that a voted absentee ballot was returned to the commissioner’s office, by mail or in person, by a person other than the voter, the voter’s designee, or a special precinct election official designated pursuant to section 53.22, subsection 2.

Election misconduct in the third degree is a serious misdemeanor.

39A.5 Election misconduct in the fourth degree.

A person commits the crime of election misconduct in the fourth degree if the person willfully commits any of the following acts:
Election day acts.

(1) As an employer, denying an employee the privilege conferred by section 49.109, or subjecting an employee to a penalty or reduction of wages because of the exercise of that privilege.

(2) Failing or refusing to comply with an order or command of an election official made pursuant to chapter 49 for which another penalty is not provided.

(3) Circulating, communicating, or attempting to circulate or communicate information with reference to the result of the counted ballots or making a compilation of vote subtotals before the polls are closed in violation of section 53.23.

(4) Destroying, defacing, tearing down, or removing a list of candidates, card of instruction, or sample ballot posted as provided by law prior to the closing of the polls.

(5) Removing or destroying the supplies or articles furnished for the purpose of enabling voters to prepare their ballots.

(6) Violating or attempting to violate any of the provisions or requirements of chapter 49 to which another penalty does not apply.

Miscellaneous offenses.

(1) As a public employee, acting in connection with an absentee ballot in violation of section 53.7.

(2) Violating any provision of chapter 53 for which another penalty is not provided.

(3) Violating any provision of chapter 48A for which another penalty is not provided.

Election misconduct in the fourth degree is a simple misdemeanor.

39A.6 Technical infractions — notice.

1. If the state commissioner or county commissioner becomes aware of an apparent technical violation of a provision of chapters 39 through 53, the state commissioner or county commissioner may administratively provide a written notice and letter of instruction to the responsible person regarding proper compliance procedures.

2. If the state commissioner sends a notice of such a technical infraction to a county commissioner, the state commissioner may require a written explanation of the occurrence, and measures that the person took to redress the issues contained within the notice.

3. This notice is not a final determination of facts or law in the matter, and does not entitle a person to a proceeding under chapter 17A.

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Title II – Chapter 40

CHAPTER 40 – CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS

40.1 Congressional districts.

The state of Iowa is hereby organized and divided into four congressional districts, which shall be composed, respectively, of the following counties:

The first district shall consist of the counties of Worth, Mitchell, Howard, Winneshiek, Allamakee, Bremer, Fayette, Clayton, Black Hawk, Buchanan, Delaware, Dubuque, Marshall, Tama, Benton, Linn, Jones, Jackson, Poweshiek, and Iowa.
The second district shall consist of the counties of Jasper, Johnson, Cedar, Clinton, Marion, Mahaska, Keokuk, Washington, Louisa, Muscatine, Scott, Clarke, Lucas, Monroe, Wapello, Jefferson, Henry, Des Moines, Decatur, Wayne, Appanoose, Davis, Van Buren, and Lee.
The third district shall consist of the counties of Guthrie, Dallas, Polk, Pottawattamie, Cass, Adair, Madison, Warren, Mills, Montgomery, Adams, Union, Fremont, Page, Taylor, and Ringgold.
The fourth district shall consist of the counties of Lyon, Osceola, Dickinson, Emmet, Kossuth, Winnebago, Sioux, O’Brien, Clay, Palo Alto, Hancock, Cerro Gordo, Floyd, Chickasaw, Plymouth, Cherokee, Buena Vista, Pocahontas, Humboldt, Wright, Franklin, Butler, Woodbury, Ida, Sac, Calhoun, Webster, Hamilton, Hardin, Grundy, Monona, Crawford, Carroll, Greene, Boone, Story, Harrison, Shelby, and Audubon.

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Title II – Chapter 41

CHAPTER 41 – STATE SENATORIAL AND REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICTS

41.1 Representative districts.

The state of Iowa is hereby divided into one hundred representative districts as follows:

The first representative district shall consist of:
Lyon county.
Osceola county.
In Dickinson county:

(1) The city of West Okoboji.

(2) Silver Lake, Diamond Lake, Spirit Lake, Superior, Excelsior, Lakeville, and Richland townships, and that portion of Center Grove township not contained in the second representative district.

The second representative district shall consist of:
Clay county.
Palo Alto county.
In Dickinson county:

(1) Westport, Milford, and Lloyd townships, and that portion of Okoboji township lying outside the corporate limits of the city of West Okoboji.

(2) That portion of Center Grove township bounded by a line commencing at the point the west corporate limit of the city of Milford intersects the south boundary of Center Grove township, then proceeding first north, then in a clockwise manner along the corporate limits of the city of Milford until it intersects the south boundary of Center Grove township, then proceeding west along the boundary of Center Grove township to the point of origin.

The third representative district shall consist of:
O’Brien county.
Cherokee county.
In Sioux county, Floyd, Grant, Lynn, and Sheridan townships.
In Plymouth county, Henry township, that portion of Meadow township and Remsen township lying outside the corporate limits of the city of Remsen, and that portion of Garfield township lying outside the corporate limits of the city of Kingsley.
The fourth representative district in Sioux county shall consist of Buncombe, Capel, Center, Eagle, East Orange, Garfield, Holland, Lincoln, Logan, Nassau, Plato, Reading, Rock, Settlers, Sherman, Sioux, Washington, Welcome, and West Branch townships.
The fifth representative district shall consist of:
In Plymouth county:

(1) The cities of Remsen and Kingsley.

(2) America, Elgin, Elkhorn, Fredonia, Grant, Hancock, Hungerford, Johnson, Liberty, Lincoln, Marion, Perry, Plymouth, Portland, Preston, Sioux, Stanton, Union, Washington, and Westfield townships.

In Woodbury county:

(1) The cities of Lawton and Correctionville.

(2) Arlington, Banner, Grant, Moville, Rutland, Union, West Fork, and Wolf Creek townships, and that portion of Kedron township lying outside the corporate limits of the city of Anthon.

The sixth representative district in Woodbury county shall consist of:
The city of Sergeant Bluff.
Grange, Lakeport, and Liberty townships, those portions of Woodbury township lying outside the corporate limits of the city of Sioux City, and that portion of Floyd township lying outside the corporate limits of the city of Lawton.
That portion of the city of Sioux City bounded by a line commencing at the point the east corporate limit of the city of Sioux City intersects Stone avenue, then proceeding west along Stone avenue until it intersects Morningside avenue, then proceeding southeasterly along Morningside avenue until it intersects Peters avenue, then proceeding west along Peters avenue until it intersects South Paxton street, then proceeding north along South Paxton street until it intersects Stone avenue, then proceeding west along Stone avenue until it intersects South Cecelia street, then proceeding north along South Cecelia street until it intersects Morningside avenue, then proceeding southeasterly, then northerly along Morningside avenue until it intersects South Cecelia street, then proceeding northerly along South Cecelia street, then Cecelia street south until it intersects Leech avenue, then proceeding west along Leech avenue until it intersects Alice street South, then proceeding north along Alice street South until it intersects Correctionville road, then proceeding west along Correctionville road until it intersects South Westcott street, then proceeding south along South Westcott street until it intersects Gordon drive, then proceeding west along Gordon drive until it intersects South Court street, then proceeding southerly along South Court street and its extension until it intersects the boundary of the state of Iowa and the corporate limit of the city of Sioux City, then proceeding first southerly, then in a counterclockwise manner along the corporate limits of the city of Sioux City to the point of origin.
The seventh representative district shall consist of:
Emmet county.
Winnebago county.
In Kossuth county:

(1) That portion of the city of Algona bounded by a line commencing at the point the east corporate limit of the city of Algona intersects the south boundary of Plum Creek township, then proceeding first south, then in a clockwise manner along the corporate limits of the city of Algona to the point of origin.

(2) Burt, Eagle, Fenton, Grant, Harrison, Hebron, Ledyard, Lincoln, Seneca, Springfield, Swea, and Union townships, and that portion of Greenwood township lying outside the corporate limits of the city of Bancroft.

The eighth representative district shall consist of:
Hancock county.
Wright county.
In Kossuth county:

(1) The city of Bancroft and that portion of the city of Algona not contained in the seventh representative district.

(2) Buffalo, Cresco, Garfield, German, Irvington, Lotts Creek, Lu Verne, Plum Creek, Portland, Prairie, Ramsey, Riverdale, Sherman, Wesley, and Whittemore townships.

The ninth representative district in Webster county shall consist of:
The cities of Duncombe and Fort Dodge.
Badger, Colfax, Cooper, Deer Creek, Douglas, Elkhorn, Jackson, and Newark townships.
The tenth representative district shall consist of:
Calhoun county.
Humboldt county.
Pocahontas county.
In Webster county, Clay, Fulton, Gowrie, Johnson, Lost Grove, and Roland townships.
The eleventh representative district shall consist of:
Buena Vista county.
Sac county.
The twelfth representative district shall consist of:
Audubon county.
Carroll county.
In Crawford county, Hayes, Iowa, Jackson, Milford, Nishnabotny, Stockholm, and West Side townships, and that portion of East Boyer township lying outside the corporate limits of the city of Denison.
The thirteenth representative district in Woodbury county shall consist of:
Concord township.
That portion of the city of Sioux City bounded by a line commencing at the point the north boundary of Woodbury county intersects Hamilton boulevard, then proceeding east along the boundary of Woodbury county until it intersects the east corporate limit of the city of Sioux City, then proceeding southerly along the corporate limits of the city of Sioux City until it intersects Stone avenue, then proceeding west along Stone avenue until it intersects Morningside avenue, then proceeding southeasterly along Morningside avenue until it intersects Peters avenue, then proceeding west along Peters avenue until it intersects South Paxton street, then proceeding north along South Paxton street until it intersects Stone avenue, then proceeding west along Stone avenue until it intersects South Cecelia street, then proceeding north along South Cecelia street until it intersects Morningside avenue, then proceeding southeasterly, then northerly along Morningside avenue until it intersects South Cecelia street, then proceeding northerly along South Cecelia street, then Cecelia street south until it intersects Leech avenue, then proceeding west along Leech avenue until it intersects Alice street South, then proceeding north along Alice street South until it intersects Correctionville road, then proceeding west along Correctionville road until it intersects South Westcott street, then proceeding south along South Westcott street until it intersects Gordon drive, then proceeding west along Gordon drive until it intersects South Court street, then proceeding southerly along South Court street and its extension until it intersects the boundary of the state of Iowa, then proceeding westerly along the boundary of the state of Iowa until it intersects Wesley parkway, then proceeding northerly along Wesley parkway until it intersects Perry street, then proceeding northeasterly along Perry street until it intersects West Eighth street, then proceeding northwesterly along West Eighth street until it intersects Bluff street, then proceeding northerly along Bluff street until it intersects Summit street, then proceeding northerly along Summit street until it intersects Twelfth street, then proceeding east along Twelfth street until it intersects Nebraska street, then proceeding north along Nebraska street until it intersects Thirteenth street, then proceeding east along Thirteenth street until it intersects Jackson street, then proceeding south along Jackson street until it intersects Twelfth street, then proceeding east along Twelfth street until it intersects Court street, then proceeding north along Court street until it intersects Fourteenth street, then proceeding easterly along Fourteenth street until it intersects Floyd boulevard, then proceeding south along Floyd boulevard until it intersects Thirteenth street, then proceeding easterly along Thirteenth street until it intersects the Union Pacific Railroad tracks, then proceeding northerly along the Union Pacific Railroad tracks until it intersects Nineteenth street, then proceeding westerly along Nineteenth street until it intersects Iowa street, then proceeding south along Iowa street until it intersects Eighteenth street, then proceeding west along Eighteenth street until it intersects Court street, then proceeding south along Court street until it intersects Sixteenth street, then proceeding west along Sixteenth street until it intersects Virginia street, then proceeding north along Virginia street until it intersects Seventeenth street, then proceeding west along Seventeenth street until it intersects Ingleside avenue, then proceeding southerly along Ingleside avenue until it intersects Seventeenth street, then proceeding west along Seventeenth street until it intersects Pierce street, then proceeding north along Pierce street until it intersects Twenty-second street, then proceeding east along Twenty-second street until it intersects Nebraska street, then proceeding north along Nebraska street until it intersects Twenty-third street, then proceeding west along Twenty-third street until it intersects Pierce street, then proceeding north along Pierce street until it intersects Stone Park boulevard, then proceeding northwesterly along Stone Park boulevard until it intersects West Clifton avenue, then proceeding easterly along West Clifton avenue and its extension until it intersects Hamilton boulevard, then proceeding northerly along Hamilton boulevard until it intersects Perry creek, then proceeding southerly along Perry creek until it intersects Thirty-fourth street and its extension, then proceeding east along Thirty-fourth street and its extension until it intersects Jones street, then proceeding north along Jones street until it intersects Thirty-eighth street, then proceeding easterly along Thirty-eighth street until it intersects Thirty-seventh street, then proceeding south and then east along Thirty-seventh street until it intersects Cheyenne boulevard, then proceeding northerly along Cheyenne boulevard until it intersects Outer drive North, then proceeding easterly along Outer drive North until it intersects Buckwalter drive, then proceeding northwesterly along Buckwalter drive until it intersects Hamilton boulevard, then proceeding northerly along Hamilton boulevard to the point of origin.
The fourteenth representative district in Woodbury county shall consist of that portion of the city of Sioux City bounded by a line commencing at the point the boundary of the state of Iowa intersects the north boundary of Woodbury county, then proceeding east along the boundary of Woodbury county until it intersects Hamilton boulevard, then proceeding southerly along Hamilton boulevard until it intersects Buckwalter drive, then proceeding southeasterly along Buckwalter drive until it intersects Outer drive North, then proceeding westerly along Outer drive North until it intersects Cheyenne boulevard, then proceeding southerly along Cheyenne boulevard until it intersects Thirty-seventh street, then proceeding west and then north along Thirty-seventh street until it intersects Thirty-eighth street, then proceeding westerly along Thirty-eighth street until it intersects Jones street, then proceeding southerly along Jones street until it intersects Thirty-fourth street, then proceeding westerly along Thirty-fourth street and its extension until it intersects Perry creek, then proceeding northerly along Perry creek until it intersects Hamilton boulevard, then proceeding southerly along Hamilton boulevard until it intersects West Clifton avenue and its extension, then proceeding westerly along West Clifton avenue and its extension until it intersects Stone Park boulevard, then proceeding southeasterly along Stone Park boulevard until it intersects Pierce street, then proceeding south along Pierce street until it intersects Twenty-third street, then proceeding east along Twenty-third street until it intersects Nebraska street, then proceeding south along Nebraska street until it intersects Twenty-second street, then proceeding west along Twenty-second street until it intersects Pierce street, then proceeding south along Pierce street until it intersects Seventeenth street, then proceeding east along Seventeenth street until it intersects Ingleside avenue, then proceeding northerly along Ingleside avenue until it intersects Seventeenth street, then proceeding east along Seventeenth street until it intersects Virginia street, then proceeding south along Virginia street until it intersects Sixteenth street, then proceeding east along Sixteenth street until it intersects Court street, then proceeding north along Court street until it intersects Eighteenth street, then proceeding east along Eighteenth street until it intersects Iowa street, then proceeding north along Iowa street until it intersects Nineteenth street, then proceeding easterly along Nineteenth street until it intersects the Union Pacific Railroad tracks, then proceeding southerly along the Union Pacific Railroad tracks until it intersects Thirteenth street, then proceeding westerly along Thirteenth street until it intersects Floyd boulevard, then proceeding north along Floyd boulevard until it intersects Fourteenth street, then proceeding westerly along Fourteenth street until it intersects Court street, then proceeding south along Court street until it intersects Twelfth street, then proceeding west along Twelfth street until it intersects Jackson street, then proceeding north along Jackson street until it intersects Thirteenth street, then proceeding west along Thirteenth street until it intersects Nebraska street, then proceeding south along Nebraska street until it intersects Twelfth street, then proceeding west along Twelfth street until it intersects Summit street, then proceeding southerly along Summit street until it intersects Bluff street, then proceeding southerly along Bluff street until it intersects West Eighth street, then proceeding southeasterly along West Eighth street until it intersects Perry street, then proceeding southwesterly along Perry street until it intersects Wesley parkway, then proceeding southerly along Wesley parkway until it intersects the boundary of the state of Iowa, then proceeding first west, then in a clockwise manner along the boundary of the state of Iowa to the point of origin.
The fifteenth representative district in Pottawattamie county shall consist of:
The city of Carter Lake.
That portion of the city of Council Bluffs bounded by a line commencing at the point the corporate limits of the city of Council Bluffs and the boundary of the state of Iowa intersect the Union Pacific Railroad tracks, then proceeding easterly along the Union Pacific Railroad tracks until it intersects Ninth avenue, then proceeding east along Ninth avenue until it intersects South Twelfth street, then proceeding northerly along South Twelfth street until it intersects Seventh avenue, then proceeding east along Seventh avenue until it intersects South Ninth street, then proceeding north along South Ninth street until it intersects West Broadway, then proceeding east along West Broadway until it intersects North Eighth street, then proceeding north along North Eighth street until it intersects West Washington avenue, then proceeding easterly along West Washington avenue until it intersects North Main street, then proceeding southerly along North Main street until it intersects Kanesville boulevard, then proceeding northeasterly along Kanesville boulevard until it intersects North First street and its extension, then proceeding southerly along North First street and its extension until it intersects East Broadway, then proceeding northeasterly along East Broadway until it intersects Union street, then proceeding southeasterly along Union street until it intersects East Pierce street, then proceeding northeasterly along East Pierce street until it intersects Frank street, then proceeding northwesterly along Frank street until it intersects East Broadway, then proceeding northeasterly along East Broadway until it intersects East Kanesville boulevard, then proceeding southwesterly along East Kanesville boulevard until it intersects Harrison street, then proceeding northerly along Harrison street until it intersects Mount Vernon street, then proceeding easterly along Mount Vernon street until it intersects Trail Ridge drive, then proceeding northerly along Trail Ridge drive until it intersects Grand avenue, then proceeding northerly along Grand avenue until it intersects South Sierra drive, then proceeding easterly, then northerly, along South Sierra drive until it intersects North Sierra drive, then proceeding westerly along North Sierra drive until it intersects Grand avenue, then proceeding northerly along Grand avenue until it intersects the north corporate limit of the city of Council Bluffs, then proceeding first west, then in a counterclockwise manner along the corporate limits of the city of Council Bluffs to the point of origin.
The sixteenth representative district in Pottawattamie county shall consist of that portion of the city of Council Bluffs bounded by a line commencing at the point the corporate limits of the city of Council Bluffs and the boundary of the state of Iowa intersect the Union Pacific Railroad tracks, then proceeding easterly along the Union Pacific Railroad tracks until it intersects Ninth avenue, then proceeding east along Ninth avenue until it intersects South Twelfth street, then proceeding northerly along South Twelfth street until it intersects Seventh avenue, then proceeding east along Seventh avenue until it intersects South Ninth street, then proceeding north along South Ninth street until it intersects West Broadway, then proceeding east along West Broadway until it intersects North Eighth street, then proceeding north along North Eighth street until it intersects West Washington avenue, then proceeding easterly along West Washington avenue until it intersects North Main street, then proceeding southerly along North Main street until it intersects Kanesville boulevard, then proceeding easterly along Kanesville boulevard until it intersects North First street and its extension, then proceeding southerly along North First street and its extension until it intersects East Broadway, then proceeding northeasterly along East Broadway until it intersects Union street, then proceeding southeasterly along Union street until it intersects East Pierce street, then proceeding northeasterly along East Pierce street until it intersects Frank street, then proceeding northwesterly along Frank street until it intersects East Broadway, then proceeding northeasterly along East Broadway until it intersects East Kanesville boulevard, then proceeding southwesterly along East Kanesville boulevard until it intersects Harrison street, then proceeding northerly along Harrison street until it intersects Mount Vernon street, then proceeding easterly along Mount Vernon street until it intersects Trail Ridge drive, then proceeding northerly along Trail Ridge drive until it intersects Grand avenue, then proceeding northerly along Grand avenue until it intersects South Sierra drive, then proceeding easterly, then northerly, along South Sierra drive until it intersects North Sierra drive, then proceeding westerly along North Sierra drive until it intersects Grand avenue, then proceeding northerly along Grand avenue until it intersects the north corporate limit of the city of Council Bluffs, then proceeding first east, then in a clockwise manner along the corporate limits of the city of Council Bluffs until it intersects McPherson avenue, then proceeding westerly along McPherson avenue until it intersects Gleason avenue, then proceeding westerly along Gleason avenue until it intersects Morningside avenue, then proceeding north along Morningside avenue until it intersects Park lane, then proceeding westerly along Park lane until it intersects Lincoln avenue, then proceeding southerly along Lincoln avenue until it intersects Franklin avenue, then proceeding southeasterly along Franklin avenue until it intersects Bennett avenue, then proceeding southwesterly along Bennett avenue until it intersects Madison avenue, then proceeding southeasterly along Madison avenue until it intersects Valley View drive, then proceeding southerly along Valley View drive until it intersects the east corporate limit of the city of Council Bluffs, then proceeding first southerly, then in a clockwise manner along the corporate limits of the city of Council Bluffs to the point of origin.
The seventeenth representative district shall consist of:
Ida county.
Monona county.
In Harrison county, Allen, Boyer, Calhoun, Cincinnati, Clay, Jackson, Lincoln, Little Sioux, Magnolia, Morgan, Raglan, St. John, and Taylor townships.
In Woodbury county:

(1) The city of Anthon.

(2) Liston, Little Sioux, Miller, Morgan, Oto, Sloan, and Willow townships, and that portion of Rock township lying outside the corporate limits of the city of Correctionville.

The eighteenth representative district shall consist of:
Shelby county.
In Crawford county:

(1) The city of Denison.

(2) Boyer, Charter Oak, Denison, Goodrich, Hanover, Morgan, Otter Creek, Paradise, Soldier, Union, Washington, and Willow townships.

In Harrison county, Cass, Douglas, Harrison, Jefferson, La Grange, Union, and Washington townships.
The nineteenth representative district shall consist of:
The city of Granger.
In Polk county:

(1) That portion of the city of Sheldahl in Polk county.

(2) That portion of Polk county bounded by a line commencing at the point the west boundary of Polk county intersects the middle channel of the Des Moines river, then proceeding first north, then east, along the boundary of Polk county until it intersects the west boundary of Lincoln township, then proceeding south along the boundary of Lincoln township until it intersects the north corporate limit of the city of Polk City, then proceeding first east, then in a clockwise manner along the corporate limits of the city of Polk City until it intersects the east boundary of census block 191530115002185, then proceeding south along the east boundary of census block 191530115002185 and census block 191530115002184 until it intersects the middle channel of the Des Moines river, then proceeding northwesterly along the middle channel of the Des Moines river to the point of origin.

In Dallas county, Adams, Adel, Beaver, Colfax, Des Moines, Grant, Sugar Grove, and Union townships, and those portions of Boone, Van Meter, and Walnut townships not contained in the forty-fourth representative district.
The twentieth representative district shall consist of:
Adair county.
Guthrie county.
In Cass county, Benton, Franklin, Grant, and Lincoln townships.
In Dallas county, Dallas, Lincoln, Linn, Spring Valley, and Washington townships.
The twenty-first representative district shall consist of:
Adams county.
Union county.
In Cass county, Bear Grove, Brighton, Cass, Edna, Grove, Massena, Noble, Pleasant, Pymosa, Union, Victoria, and Washington townships.
In Pottawattamie county, Grove, Layton, Lincoln, Waveland, and Wright townships, and that portion of Center township lying outside the corporate limits of the city of Oakland.
The twenty-second representative district in Pottawattamie county shall consist of:
The city of Oakland.
Belknap, Boomer, Carson, Crescent, Hardin, Hazel Dell, James, Keg Creek, Knox, Macedonia, Minden, Neola, Norwalk, Pleasant, Rockford, Silver Creek, Valley, Washington, and York townships, and those portions of Garner, Lake, and Lewis townships lying outside the corporate limits of the city of Council Bluffs.
That portion of the city of Council Bluffs bounded by a line commencing at the point the east corporate limit of the city of Council Bluffs intersects McPherson avenue, then proceeding westerly along McPherson avenue until it intersects Gleason avenue, then proceeding westerly along Gleason avenue until it intersects Morningside avenue, then proceeding north along Morningside avenue until it intersects Park lane, then proceeding westerly along Park lane until it intersects Lincoln avenue, then proceeding southerly along Lincoln avenue until it intersects Franklin avenue, then proceeding southeasterly along Franklin avenue until it intersects Bennett avenue, then proceeding southwesterly along Bennett avenue until it intersects Madison avenue, then proceeding southeasterly along Madison avenue until it intersects Valley View drive, then proceeding southerly along Valley View drive until it intersects the corporate limits of the city of Council Bluffs, then proceeding first easterly, then in a counterclockwise manner along the corporate limits of the city of Council Bluffs to the point of origin.
The twenty-third representative district shall consist of:
Fremont county.
Mills county.
In Montgomery county, Douglas, Garfield, Lincoln, Pilot Grove, Red Oak, Sherman, and Washington townships, and that portion of Frankfort township lying outside the corporate limits of the city of Stanton.
The twenty-fourth representative district shall consist of:
Page county.
Ringgold county.
Taylor county.
In Montgomery county:

(1) The city of Stanton.

(2) East, Grant, Scott, and West townships.

The twenty-fifth representative district shall consist of:
The city of Bevington.
Madison county.
In Warren county:

(1) The cities of Milo and Norwalk.

(2) Jackson, Otter, Squaw, Virginia, and White Oak townships, and that portion of Linn township not contained in the forty-second representative district.

The twenty-sixth representative district in Warren county shall consist of:
The city of Indianola.
Allen, Liberty, Lincoln, Palmyra, Richland, Union, and White Breast townships, that portion of Belmont township lying outside the corporate limits of the city of Milo, that portion of Greenfield township lying outside the corporate limits of the city of Norwalk, and that portion of Jefferson township lying outside the corporate limits of the city of Bevington.
The twenty-seventh representative district shall consist of:
Clarke county.
Decatur county.
Wayne county.
In Lucas County:

(1) That portion of the city of Chariton and Lincoln township bounded by a line commencing at the point the north corporate limit of the city of Chariton intersects the east boundary of Whitebreast township, then proceeding first east, then in a clockwise manner along the corporate limits of the city of Chariton to the point of origin.

(2) Jackson, Otter Creek, Union, Warren, and Whitebreast townships.

The twenty-eighth representative district shall consist of:
In Jasper county, Elk Creek, Fairview, and Lynn Grove townships, and that portion of Palo Alto township lying outside the corporate limits of the city of Newton.
In Lucas county, Benton, Cedar, English, Liberty, Pleasant, and Washington townships, and that portion of Lincoln township not contained in the twenty-seventh representative district.
In Marion county, Clay, Dallas, Franklin, Indiana, Knoxville, Liberty, Pleasant Grove, Red Rock, Summit, Union, and Washington townships.
The twenty-ninth representative district in Jasper county shall consist of:
The city of Newton.
Buena Vista, Clear Creek, Des Moines, Hickory Grove, Independence, Kellogg, Malaka, Mariposa, Mound Prairie, Newton, Poweshiek, Richland, Rock Creek, Sherman, and Washington townships.
The thirtieth representative district in Polk county shall consist of:
The city of Altoona.
Beaver, Camp, Elkhart, Franklin, and Washington townships.
That portion of Douglas township not contained in the thirty-seventh representative district, that portion of Allen township not contained in the thirty-third representative district, and those portions of Clay and Four Mile townships not contained in the thirty-first representative district.
The thirty-first representative district shall consist of that portion of Polk county bounded by a line commencing at the point East Fifteenth street intersects the eastbound lanes of Interstate 235, then proceeding easterly along the eastbound lanes of Interstate 235 until it intersects East University avenue, then proceeding east along East University avenue until it intersects East Twenty-seventh street, then proceeding northerly along East Twenty-seventh street until it intersects Guthrie avenue, then proceeding west along Guthrie avenue until it intersects Hubbell avenue, then proceeding northeasterly along Hubbell avenue until it intersects Arthur avenue, then proceeding east along Arthur avenue until it intersects East Twenty-ninth street, then proceeding north along East Twenty-ninth street until it intersects East Euclid avenue, then proceeding easterly along East Euclid avenue until it intersects Hubbell avenue, then proceeding northeasterly along Hubbell avenue until it intersects East Douglas avenue, then proceeding easterly along East Douglas avenue until it intersects the corporate limits of the city of Des Moines, then proceeding first east, then in a clockwise manner along the corporate limits of the city of Des Moines until it intersects East Four Mile creek, then proceeding south, then west, along the corporate limits of the city of Des Moines until it intersects the east boundary of Delaware township, then proceeding south along the boundary of Delaware township until it intersects Iowa Interstate Railroad tracks, then proceeding south along the boundary of Delaware township until it intersects the corporate limits of the city of Pleasant Hill, then proceeding first south, then in a clockwise manner along the corporate limits of the city of Pleasant Hill until it intersects the south boundary of Clay township, then proceeding easterly along the boundary of Clay township until it intersects the east corporate limit of the city of Pleasant Hill, then proceeding first south, then in a clockwise manner along the corporate limits of the city of Pleasant Hill until it intersects Dean avenue, then proceeding westerly along Dean avenue until it intersects East Thirtieth street, then proceeding south along East Thirtieth street until it intersects Southeast Thirtieth street, then proceeding south along Southeast Thirtieth street until it intersects Iowa Interstate Railroad tracks, then proceeding westerly along Iowa Interstate Railroad tracks until it intersects Southeast Eighteenth street, then proceeding north along Southeast Eighteenth street until it intersects East Eighteenth street, then proceeding north along East Eighteenth street until it intersects Dean avenue, then proceeding west along Dean avenue until it intersects East Seventeenth street, then proceeding northerly along East Seventeenth street until it intersects Lyon street, then proceeding westerly along Lyon street and its extension until it intersects East Fifteenth street, then proceeding northerly along East Fifteenth street to the point of origin.
The thirty-second representative district in Polk county shall consist of that portion of the city of Des Moines bounded by a line commencing at the point East Fifteenth street intersects the eastbound lanes of Interstate 235, then proceeding easterly along the eastbound lanes of Interstate 235 until it intersects East University avenue, then proceeding east along East University avenue until it intersects East Twenty-seventh street, then proceeding northerly along East Twenty-seventh street until it intersects Guthrie avenue, then proceeding west along Guthrie avenue until it intersects Hubbell avenue, then proceeding northeasterly along Hubbell avenue until it intersects Arthur avenue, then proceeding east along Arthur avenue until it intersects East Twenty-ninth street, then proceeding north along East Twenty-ninth street until it intersects East Euclid avenue, then proceeding easterly along East Euclid avenue until it intersects Hubbell avenue, then proceeding northeasterly along Hubbell avenue until it intersects East Douglas avenue, then proceeding easterly along East Douglas avenue, until it intersects the corporate limits of the city of Des Moines, then proceeding first north, then in a counterclockwise manner along the corporate limits of the city of Des Moines until it intersects East Fourteenth street, then proceeding south along East Fourteenth street until it intersects East Euclid avenue, then proceeding west along East Euclid avenue until it intersects North Union street, then proceeding northerly along North Union street until it intersects East Madison avenue, then proceeding west along East Madison avenue until it intersects Cambridge street, then proceeding south along Cambridge street until it intersects East Euclid avenue, then proceeding west along East Euclid avenue until it intersects Euclid avenue, then proceeding west along Euclid avenue until it intersects Second avenue, then proceeding south along Second avenue until it intersects the middle channel of the Des Moines river, then proceeding southerly along the middle channel of the Des Moines river until it intersects Court avenue, then proceeding easterly along Court avenue until it intersects East Court avenue, then proceeding easterly along East Court avenue until it intersects East Seventh street, then proceeding southerly along East Seventh street until it intersects Iowa Interstate Railroad tracks, then proceeding easterly along Iowa Interstate Railroad tracks until it intersects Southeast Fourteenth street, then proceeding south along Southeast Fourteenth street until it intersects Union Pacific Railroad tracks, then proceeding easterly along Union Pacific Railroad tracks until it intersects Iowa Interstate Railroad tracks, then proceeding easterly along Iowa Interstate Railroad tracks until it intersects Southeast Eighteenth street, then proceeding north along Southeast Eighteenth street until it intersects East Eighteenth street, then proceeding north along East Eighteenth street until it intersects Dean avenue, then proceeding west along Dean avenue until it intersects East Seventeenth street, then proceeding northerly along East Seventeenth street until it intersects Lyon street, then proceeding westerly along Lyon street and its extension until it intersects East Fifteenth street, then proceeding northerly along East Fifteenth street to the point of origin.
The thirty-third representative district in Polk county shall consist of that portion of the city of Des Moines bounded by a line commencing at the point the south boundary of Polk county intersects U.S. highway 69, then proceeding northwesterly along U.S. highway 69 until it intersects Southeast Fourteenth street, then proceeding northerly along Southeast Fourteenth street until it intersects East Army Post road, then proceeding west along East Army Post road until it intersects Southeast Fifth street, then proceeding north along Southeast Fifth street until it intersects East Watrous avenue, then proceeding west along East Watrous avenue until it intersects South Union street, then proceeding north along South Union street until it intersects Olinda avenue, then proceeding west along Olinda avenue until it intersects Southwest Ninth street, then proceeding northerly along Southwest Ninth street until it intersects the middle channel of the Raccoon river, then proceeding easterly along the middle channel of the Raccoon river until it intersects the middle channel of the Des Moines river, then proceeding northerly along the middle channel of the Des Moines river until it intersects Court avenue, then proceeding easterly along Court avenue until it intersects East Court avenue, then proceeding easterly along East Court avenue until it intersects East Seventh street, then proceeding southerly along East Seventh street until it intersects Iowa Interstate Railroad tracks, then proceeding easterly along Iowa Interstate Railroad tracks until it intersects Southeast Fourteenth street, then proceeding south along Southeast Fourteenth street until it intersects Union Pacific Railroad tracks, then proceeding easterly along Union Pacific Railroad tracks until it intersects Iowa Interstate Railroad tracks, then proceeding easterly along Iowa Interstate Railroad tracks until it intersects Southeast Thirtieth street, then proceeding north along Southeast Thirtieth street until it intersects East Thirtieth street, then proceeding north along East Thirtieth street until it intersects Dean avenue, then proceeding easterly along Dean avenue until it intersects the east corporate limit of the city of Des Moines, then proceeding first south, then in a clockwise manner along the corporate limits of the city of Des Moines until it intersects Southeast Sixty-fourth avenue, then proceeding first west, then southerly, along the corporate limits of the city of Des Moines until it intersects the south boundary of Polk county, then proceeding easterly along the south boundary of Polk county to the point of origin.
The thirty-fourth representative district in Polk county shall consist of that portion of Bloomfield township and the city of Des Moines bounded by a line commencing at the point the south boundary of Polk county intersects U.S. highway 69, then proceeding northwesterly along U.S. highway 69 until it intersects Southeast Fourteenth street, then proceeding northerly along Southeast Fourteenth street until it intersects East Army Post road, then proceeding west along East Army Post road until it intersects Southeast Fifth street, then proceeding north along Southeast Fifth street until it intersects East Watrous avenue, then proceeding west along East Watrous avenue until it intersects South Union street, then proceeding north along South Union street until it intersects Olinda avenue, then proceeding west along Olinda avenue until it intersects Southwest Ninth street, then proceeding northerly along Southwest Ninth street until it intersects the middle channel of the Raccoon river, then proceeding easterly along the middle channel of the Raccoon river until it intersects the middle channel of the Des Moines river, then proceeding northerly along the middle channel of the Des Moines river until it intersects the eastbound lanes of Interstate 235, then proceeding westerly along the eastbound lanes of Interstate 235 until it intersects Martin Luther King Jr. parkway, then proceeding south along Martin Luther King Jr. parkway until it intersects School street, then proceeding easterly along School street until it intersects the entrance ramp to the eastbound lanes of Interstate 235, then proceeding easterly along the entrance ramp to the eastbound lanes of Interstate 235 until it intersects Eighteenth street and its extension, then proceeding south along Eighteenth street and its extension until it intersects Center street, then proceeding east along Center street until it intersects Seventeenth street, then proceeding southerly along Seventeenth street until it intersects Grand avenue, then proceeding westerly along Grand avenue until it intersects Eighteenth street, then proceeding southerly along Eighteenth street until it intersects Fleur drive, then proceeding southerly along Fleur drive until it intersects the south boundary of Polk county, then proceeding easterly along the boundary of Polk county to the point of origin.
The thirty-fifth representative district in Polk county shall consist of that portion of the city of Des Moines bounded by a line commencing at the point Lower Beaver road intersects the south boundary of Webster township, then proceeding easterly along the south boundary of Webster township until it intersects the corporate limits of the city of Des Moines, then proceeding first east, then in a clockwise manner along the corporate limits of the city of Des Moines until it intersects East Fourteenth street, then proceeding south along East Fourteenth street until it intersects East Euclid avenue, then proceeding west along East Euclid avenue until it intersects North Union street, then proceeding northerly along North Union street until it intersects East Madison avenue, then proceeding west along East Madison avenue until it intersects Cambridge street, then proceeding south along Cambridge street until it intersects East Euclid avenue, then proceeding west along East Euclid avenue until it intersects Euclid avenue, then proceeding west along Euclid avenue until it intersects Second avenue, then proceeding south along Second avenue until it intersects the middle channel of the Des Moines river, then proceeding southerly along the middle channel of the Des Moines river until it intersects the eastbound lanes of Interstate 235, then proceeding westerly along the eastbound lanes of Interstate 235 until it intersects Twenty-eighth street, then proceeding north along Twenty-eighth street until it intersects School street, then proceeding east along School street until it intersects Twenty-fifth street, then proceeding north along Twenty-fifth street until it intersects University avenue, then proceeding west along University avenue until it intersects Thirtieth street and its extension, then proceeding north along Thirtieth street and its extension until it intersects Euclid avenue, then proceeding northwesterly along Euclid avenue until it intersects Douglas avenue, then proceeding easterly along Douglas avenue until it intersects Thirtieth street, then proceeding north along Thirtieth street until it intersects Fleming avenue, then proceeding west along Fleming avenue until it intersects Lawnwoods drive, then proceeding north along Lawnwoods drive until it intersects Madison avenue, then proceeding west along Madison avenue until it intersects Lower Beaver road, then proceeding northerly along Lower Beaver road to the point of origin.
The thirty-sixth representative district shall consist of that portion of Polk county bounded by a line commencing at the point the west corporate limit of the city of Des Moines intersects University avenue, then proceeding east along University avenue until it intersects Forty-first street, then proceeding north along Forty-first street until it intersects Forest avenue, then proceeding east along Forest avenue until it intersects Thirtieth street, then proceeding northerly along Thirtieth street until it intersects Euclid avenue, then proceeding northwesterly along Euclid avenue until it intersects Douglas avenue, then proceeding easterly along Douglas avenue until it intersects Thirtieth street, then proceeding north along Thirtieth street until it intersects Fleming avenue, then proceeding west along Fleming avenue until it intersects Lawnwoods drive, then proceeding north along Lawnwoods drive until it intersects Madison avenue, then proceeding west along Madison avenue until it intersects Lower Beaver road, then proceeding northerly along Lower Beaver road until it intersects the south boundary of Webster township, then proceeding easterly along the south boundary of Webster township until it intersects the middle channel of the Des Moines river, then proceeding northerly along the middle channel of the Des Moines river until it intersects the south corporate limit of the city of Johnston, then proceeding first west, then in a clockwise manner along the corporate limits of the city of Johnston until it intersects the north corporate limit of the city of Urbandale, then proceeding south along the corporate limits of the city of Urbandale until it intersects the north corporate limit of the city of Des Moines, then proceeding first south, then in a counterclockwise manner along the corporate limits of the city of Des Moines to the point of origin.
The thirty-seventh representative district in Polk county shall consist of:
That portion of Lincoln township lying outside the corporate limits of the cities of Polk City and Sheldahl.
That portion of Polk county bounded by a line commencing at the point the west corporate limit of the city of Ankeny intersects the south boundary of Lincoln township, then proceeding first south, then in a counterclockwise manner along the corporate limits of the city of Ankeny until it intersects Southwest Magazine drive, then proceeding east along Southwest Magazine drive until it intersects Northwest Sixteenth street, then proceeding northerly along Northwest Sixteenth street until it intersects West First street, then proceeding east along West First street until it intersects Union Pacific Railroad tracks, then proceeding southeasterly along Union Pacific Railroad tracks until it intersects Southwest Maple street, then proceeding southerly along Southwest Maple street until it intersects Southwest Third street, then proceeding east along Southwest Third street until it intersects Southwest Cherry street, then proceeding south along Southwest Cherry street until it intersects Union Pacific Railroad tracks, then proceeding southeasterly along Union Pacific Railroad tracks until it intersects South Ankeny boulevard, then proceeding south along South Ankeny boulevard until it intersects Southeast Magazine road, then proceeding east along Southeast Magazine road until it intersects Southeast Trilein drive, then proceeding north along Southeast Trilein drive until it intersects Southeast Peterson drive, then proceeding east along Southeast Peterson drive until it intersects Northeast Twenty-second street, then proceeding north along Northeast Twenty-second street until it intersects East First street, then proceeding east along East First street until it intersects the corporate limits of the city of Ankeny, then proceeding first south, then in a clockwise manner along the corporate limits of the city of Ankeny until it intersects the south boundary of Douglas township, then proceeding east along the boundary of Douglas township until it intersects the west corporate limit of the city of Bondurant, then proceeding first north, then in a clockwise manner along the corporate limits of the city of Bondurant until it intersects the east boundary of Douglas township, then proceeding first north, then west, along the boundary of Douglas township until it intersects the south boundary of Lincoln township, then proceeding west along the boundary of Lincoln township to the point of origin.
The thirty-eighth representative district shall consist of that portion of Polk county bounded by a line commencing at the point the north corporate limit of the city of Des Moines intersects the middle channel of the Des Moines river, then proceeding northerly along the middle channel of the Des Moines river until it intersects the south boundary of census block 191530114042143 and the corporate limits of the city of Johnston, then proceeding northerly along the corporate limits of the city of Johnston until it intersects Saylorville reservoir lake and the middle channel of the Des Moines river, then proceeding northerly along the middle channel of the Des Moines river until it intersects the east boundary of census block 191530115002184, then proceeding north along the east boundary of census block 191530115002184 and census block 191530115002185 until it intersects the corporate limits of the city of Polk City, then proceeding first east, then in a counterclockwise manner along the corporate limits of the city of Polk City until it intersects the south boundary of Lincoln township, then proceeding east along the boundary of Lincoln township until it intersects the west corporate limit of the city of Ankeny, then proceeding first south, then in a counterclockwise manner along the corporate limits of the city of Ankeny until it intersects Southwest Magazine drive, then proceeding east along Southwest Magazine drive until it intersects Northwest Sixteenth street, then proceeding northerly along Northwest Sixteenth street until it intersects West First street, then proceeding east along West First street until it intersects Union Pacific Railroad tracks, then proceeding southeasterly along Union Pacific Railroad tracks until it intersects Southwest Maple street, then proceeding southerly along Southwest Maple street until it intersects Southwest Third street, then proceeding east along Southwest Third street until it intersects Southwest Cherry street, then proceeding south along Southwest Cherry street until it intersects Union Pacific Railroad tracks, then proceeding southeasterly along Union Pacific Railroad tracks until it intersects South Ankeny boulevard, then proceeding south along South Ankeny boulevard until it intersects Southeast Magazine road, then proceeding east along Southeast Magazine road until it intersects Southeast Trilein drive, then proceeding north along Southeast Trilein drive until it intersects Southeast Peterson drive, then proceeding east along Southeast Peterson drive until it intersects Northeast Twenty-second street, then proceeding north along Northeast Twenty-second street until it intersects East First street, then proceeding east along East First street until it intersects the corporate limits of the city of Ankeny, then proceeding first south, then in a clockwise manner along the corporate limits of the city of Ankeny until it intersects the north boundary of Delaware township, then proceeding first east, then south along the boundary of Delaware township until it intersects the north corporate limit of the city of Altoona, then proceeding first west, then in a counterclockwise manner along the corporate limits of the city of Altoona until it bisects the east boundary of Delaware township, then proceeding south along the boundary of Delaware township until it intersects the north corporate limit of the city of Des Moines, then proceeding first northwest, then in a counterclockwise manner along the corporate limits of the city of Des Moines to the point of origin.
The thirty-ninth representative district shall consist of that portion of Polk county bounded by a line commencing at the point the west boundary of Polk county intersects the middle channel of the Des Moines river, then proceeding southeasterly along the middle channel of the Des Moines river until it intersects the corporate limit of the city of Johnston, then proceeding southerly along the corporate limits of the city of Johnston until it intersects the south boundary of census block 191530114042143 and the middle channel of the Des Moines river, then proceeding southerly along the middle channel of the Des Moines river until it intersects the south corporate limit of the city of Johnston, then proceeding westerly along the corporate limits of the city of Johnston until it intersects the north corporate limit of the city of Urbandale, then proceeding first westerly, then in a counterclockwise manner along the corporate limits of the city of Urbandale until it intersects Northwest Seventy-second street, then proceeding southerly along Northwest Seventy-second street until it intersects Seventy-second street, then proceeding southerly along Seventy-second street and its extension until it intersects Aurora avenue, then proceeding west along Aurora avenue until it intersects Seventy-fifth street, then proceeding northerly along Seventy-fifth street until it intersects Meredith drive, then proceeding west along Meredith drive until it intersects Eighty-sixth street, then proceeding north along Eighty-sixth street until it intersects the corporate limits of the city of Urbandale, then proceeding first north, then in a counterclockwise manner along the corporate limits of the city of Urbandale until it intersects the west boundary of Polk county, then proceeding north along the boundary of Polk county until it intersects the corporate limits of the city of Granger, then proceeding first southeasterly, then in a counterclockwise manner along the corporate limits of the city of Granger until it intersects the west boundary of Polk county, then proceeding north along the boundary of Polk county to the point of origin.
The fortieth representative district in Polk county shall consist of that portion of the city of Urbandale bounded by a line commencing at the point the south corporate limit of the city of Urbandale intersects the west boundary of Polk county, then proceeding north along the boundary of Polk county until it intersects the corporate limit of the city of Urbandale, then proceeding first east, then in a clockwise manner along the corporate limits of the city of Urbandale until it intersects Eighty-sixth street, then proceeding south along Eighty-sixth street until it intersects Meredith drive, then proceeding east along Meredith drive until it intersects Seventy-fifth street, then proceeding southerly along Seventy-fifth street until it intersects Aurora avenue, then proceeding east along Aurora avenue until it intersects Seventy-second street, then proceeding northerly along Seventy-second street and its extension until it intersects Northwest Seventy-second street, then proceeding northerly along Northwest Seventy-second street until it intersects the north corporate limit of the city of Urbandale, then proceeding first east, then in a clockwise manner along the corporate limits of the city of Urbandale to the point of origin.
The forty-first representative district in Polk county shall consist of that portion of Polk county bounded by a line commencing at the point the south boundary of Polk county intersects the east corporate limit of the city of West Des Moines, then proceeding north along the corporate limits of the city of West Des Moines until it intersects the south corporate limit of the city of Des Moines, then proceeding first north, then in a clockwise manner along the corporate limits of the city of Des Moines until it intersects University avenue, then proceeding east along University avenue until it intersects Forty-first street, then proceeding north along Forty-first street until it intersects Forest avenue, then proceeding east along Forest avenue until it intersects Thirtieth street, then proceeding south along Thirtieth street until it intersects Thirtieth street and its extension, then proceeding south along Thirtieth street and its extension until it intersects University avenue, then proceeding east along University avenue until it intersects Twenty-fifth street, then proceeding south along Twenty-fifth street until it intersects School street, then proceeding west along School street until it intersects Twenty-eighth street, then proceeding south along Twenty-eighth street until it intersects the eastbound lanes of Interstate 235, then proceeding easterly along the eastbound lanes of Interstate 235 until it intersects Martin Luther King Jr. parkway, then proceeding south along Martin Luther King Jr. parkway until it intersects School street, then proceeding easterly along School street until it intersects the entrance ramp to the eastbound lanes of Interstate 235, then proceeding easterly along the entrance ramp to the eastbound lanes of Interstate 235 until it intersects Eighteenth street and its extension, then proceeding south along Eighteenth street and its extension until it intersects Center street, then proceeding east along Center street until it intersects Seventeenth street, then proceeding southerly along Seventeenth street until it intersects Grand avenue, then proceeding westerly along Grand avenue until it intersects Eighteenth street, then proceeding southerly along Eighteenth street until it intersects Fleur drive, then proceeding southerly along Fleur drive until it intersects the south boundary of Polk county, then proceeding westerly along the boundary of Polk county to the point of origin.
The forty-second representative district shall consist of:
In Polk county, that portion of Bloomfield township and the city of West Des Moines bounded by a line commencing at the point the west boundary of Polk county intersects Ashworth road, then proceeding east along Ashworth road until it intersects Interstate 35, then proceeding south along Interstate 35 until it intersects E.P. True parkway, then proceeding easterly along E.P. True parkway until it intersects Thirty-ninth street, then proceeding north along Thirty-ninth street until it intersects Ashworth road, then proceeding east along Ashworth road until it intersects Vine street, then proceeding southeasterly along Vine street until it intersects Grand avenue, then proceeding northeasterly along Grand avenue until it intersects Sixteenth street, then proceeding northerly along Sixteenth street until it intersects Ashworth road, then proceeding west along Ashworth road until it intersects Sixteenth street, then proceeding northerly along Sixteenth street until it intersects Pleasant street, then proceeding westerly along Pleasant street until it intersects Seventeenth street, then proceeding northerly along Seventeenth street until it intersects the eastbound lanes of Interstate 235, then proceeding easterly along the eastbound lanes of Interstate 235 until it intersects the east corporate limit of the city of West Des Moines, then proceeding first south, then in a clockwise manner along the corporate limits of the city of West Des Moines until it intersects the south boundary of Polk county, then proceeding first west, then in a clockwise manner along the boundary of Polk county to the point of origin.
In Warren county, that portion of Linn township bounded by a line commencing at the point the north boundary of Warren county intersects the west corporate limit of the city of Norwalk, then proceeding south along the corporate limits of the city of Norwalk until it intersects the north corporate limit of the city of Cumming, then proceeding first south, then in a clockwise manner along the corporate limits of the city of Cumming until it intersects the west boundary of Warren county, then proceeding first north, then in a clockwise manner along the boundary of Warren county to the point of origin.
The forty-third representative district shall consist of that portion of Polk county bounded by a line commencing at the point the west boundary of Polk county intersects Ashworth road, then proceeding east along Ashworth road until it intersects Interstate 35, then proceeding south along Interstate 35 until it intersects E.P. True parkway, then proceeding easterly along E.P. True parkway until it intersects Thirty-ninth street, then proceeding north along Thirty-ninth street until it intersects Ashworth road, then proceeding east along Ashworth road until it intersects Vine street, then proceeding southeasterly along Vine street until it intersects Grand avenue, then proceeding northeasterly along Grand avenue until it intersects Sixteenth street, then proceeding northerly along Sixteenth street until it intersects Ashworth road, then proceeding west along Ashworth road until it intersects Sixteenth street, then proceeding northerly along Sixteenth street until it intersects Pleasant street, then proceeding westerly along Pleasant street until it intersects Seventeenth street, then proceeding northerly along Seventeenth street until it intersects the eastbound lanes of Interstate 235, then proceeding easterly along the eastbound lanes of Interstate 235 until it intersects the west corporate limit of the city of Windsor Heights, then proceeding first south, then in a counterclockwise manner along the corporate limits of the city of Windsor Heights until it intersects Sixty-third street, then proceeding north along Sixty-third street until it intersects Hickman road, then proceeding west along Hickman road until it intersects the west corporate limit of the city of Des Moines, then proceeding north along the corporate limits of the city of Des Moines until it intersects the south corporate limit of the city of Urbandale, then proceeding west along the corporate limits of the city of Urbandale until it intersects the west boundary of Polk county, then proceeding southerly along the boundary of Polk county to the point of origin.
The forty-fourth representative district in Dallas county shall consist of:
The city of Waukee, that portion of the city of Clive in Dallas county, and that portion of the city of West Des Moines in Dallas county.
That portion of Boone township bounded by a line commencing at the point the west boundary of Boone township intersects the south boundary of Walnut township, then proceeding east along the south boundary of Walnut township until it intersects the corporate limits of the city of Waukee, then proceeding first east, then in a counterclockwise manner along the corporate limits of the city of Waukee until it intersects the west boundary of Boone township, then proceeding north along the boundary of Boone township to the point of origin.
The forty-fifth representative district in Story County shall consist of:
The city of Kelley.
That portion of Milford township lying outside the corporate limits of the city of Ames, those portions of Washington township lying outside the corporate limits of the city of Kelley and the city of Ames, and those portions of Grant township lying outside the corporate limits of the city of Ames and not contained in the forty-ninth representative district.
That portion of the city of Ames bounded by a line commencing at the point the north corporate limit of the city of Ames intersects Grand avenue, then proceeding south along Grand avenue until it intersects Twenty-eighth street, then proceeding east along Twenty-eighth street until it intersects Luther drive, then proceeding southerly along Luther drive until it intersects Jensen avenue, then proceeding south along Jensen avenue until it intersects Twenty-fourth street, then proceeding west along Twenty-fourth street until it intersects Grand avenue, then proceeding south along Grand avenue until it intersects Lincoln way, then proceeding west along Lincoln way until it intersects Beach avenue, then proceeding south along Beach avenue until it intersects Greeley street, then proceeding westerly along Greeley street until it intersects Pearson avenue, then proceeding westerly along Pearson avenue until it intersects Sunset drive, then proceeding westerly along Sunset drive until it intersects Ash avenue, then proceeding south along Ash avenue until it intersects Knapp street, then proceeding west along Knapp street until it intersects Hayward avenue, then proceeding north along Hayward avenue until it intersects Lincoln way, then proceeding west along Lincoln way until it intersects Colorado avenue, then proceeding north along Colorado avenue until it intersects West street, then proceeding west along West street until it intersects North Franklin avenue, then proceeding north along North Franklin avenue until it intersects Oakland street, then proceeding easterly along Oakland street until it intersects Hyland avenue, then proceeding north along Hyland avenue until it intersects Clear creek, then proceeding westerly along Clear creek until it intersects North Dakota avenue, then proceeding north along North Dakota avenue until it intersects Ontario street, then proceeding west along Ontario street until it intersects Idaho avenue, then proceeding northerly along Idaho avenue until it intersects the north corporate limit of the city of Ames, then proceeding first west, then in a counterclockwise manner along the corporate limits of the city of Ames to the point of origin.
The forty-sixth representative district in Story county shall consist of that portion of the city of Ames bounded by a line commencing at the point the north corporate limit of the city of Ames intersects Grand avenue, then proceeding south along Grand avenue until it intersects Twenty-eighth street, then proceeding east along Twenty-eighth street until it intersects Luther drive, then proceeding southerly along Luther drive until it intersects Jensen avenue, then proceeding south along Jensen avenue until it intersects Twenty-fourth street, then proceeding west along Twenty-fourth street until it intersects Grand avenue, then proceeding south along Grand avenue until it intersects Lincoln way, then proceeding west along Lincoln way until it intersects Beach avenue, then proceeding south along Beach avenue until it intersects Greeley street, then proceeding westerly along Greeley street until it intersects Pearson avenue, then proceeding westerly along Pearson avenue until it intersects Sunset drive, then proceeding westerly along Sunset drive until it intersects Ash avenue, then proceeding south along Ash avenue until it intersects Knapp street, then proceeding west along Knapp street until it intersects Hayward avenue, then proceeding north along Hayward avenue until it intersects Lincoln way, then proceeding west along Lincoln way until it intersects Colorado avenue, then proceeding north along Colorado avenue until it intersects West street, then proceeding west along West street until it intersects North Franklin avenue, then proceeding north along North Franklin avenue until it intersects Oakland street, then proceeding easterly along Oakland street until it intersects Hyland avenue, then proceeding north along Hyland avenue until it intersects Clear creek, then proceeding westerly along Clear creek until it intersects North Dakota avenue, then proceeding north along North Dakota avenue until it intersects Ontario street, then proceeding west along Ontario street until it intersects Idaho avenue, then proceeding northerly along Idaho avenue until it intersects the north corporate limit of the city of Ames, then proceeding first east, then in a clockwise manner along the corporate limits of the city of Ames to the point of origin.
The forty-seventh representative district shall consist of:
Greene county.
In Boone county:

(1) The cities of Fraser and Luther.

(2) Amaqua, Beaver, Cass, Des Moines, Grant, Marcy, Peoples, Pilot Mound, Union, Worth, and Yell townships, and that portion of Douglas township lying outside the corporate limits of the city of Madrid.

The forty-eighth representative district shall consist of:
Hamilton county.
In Boone county:

(1) The city of Madrid.

(2) Garden, Harrison, and Jackson townships, that portion of Colfax township lying outside the corporate limits of the city of Luther, and that portion of Dodge township lying outside the corporate limits of the city of Fraser.

In Story county:

(1) That portion of Franklin township lying outside the corporate limits of the city of Ames and that portion of Lafayette township lying outside the corporate limits of the city of Story City.

(2) That portion of Palestine township bounded by a line commencing at the point the east corporate limit of the city of Sheldahl intersects the south boundary of Story county, then proceeding north along the corporate limits of the city of Sheldahl until it intersects the south corporate limit of the city of Slater, then proceeding first east, then in a counterclockwise manner along the corporate limits of the city of Slater until it intersects the west boundary of Story county, then proceeding first south, then east, along the boundary of Story county to the point of origin.

In Webster county, Burnside, Dayton, Hardin, Otho, Pleasant Valley, Sumner, Webster, and Yell townships, and that portion of Washington township lying outside the corporate limits of the city of Duncombe.
The forty-ninth representative district shall consist of:
In Hardin county:

(1) The city of Eldora.

(2) Concord, Eldora, Grant, Pleasant, Providence, Sherman, Tipton, and Union townships.

In Story county:

(1) The city of Story City.

(2) Collins, Howard, Indian Creek, Lincoln, Nevada, New Albany, Richland, Sherman, Union, and Warren townships, and that portion of Palestine township lying outside the corporate limits of the city of Kelley and not contained in the forty-eighth representative district.

(3) That portion of the city of Nevada and Grant township bounded by a line commencing at the point the south corporate limit of the city of Nevada intersects the east boundary of Grant township, then proceeding first west, then in a clockwise manner along the corporate limits of the city of Nevada until it intersects the north boundary of Grant township, then proceeding east along the boundary of Grant township until it intersects the west boundary of Nevada township and the north corporate limit of the city of Nevada, then proceeding first east, then in a clockwise manner along the corporate limits of the city of Nevada to the point of origin.

The fiftieth representative district shall consist of:
Grundy county.
In Butler county, Albion, Beaver, Jefferson, Monroe, Ripley, and Shell Rock townships.
In Hardin county, Alden, Buckeye, Clay, Ellis, Etna, Hardin, and Jackson townships.
The fifty-first representative district shall consist of:
Howard county.
Mitchell county.
Worth county.
In Winneshiek county, Bluffton, Burr Oak, Fremont, Lincoln, Madison, and Orleans townships.
The fifty-second representative district shall consist of:
Chickasaw county.
Floyd county.
In Cerro Gordo county, Dougherty, Falls, Owen, and Portland townships.
The fifty-third representative district in Cerro Gordo county shall consist of:
The city of Mason City.
Bath, Geneseo, Lime Creek, and Mason townships.
The fifty-fourth representative district shall consist of:
Franklin county.
In Butler county, Bennezette, Butler, Coldwater, Dayton, Fremont, Jackson, Madison, Pittsford, Washington, and West Point townships.
In Cerro Gordo county:

(1) The city of Clear Lake.

(2) Clear Lake, Grant, Grimes, Lake, Lincoln, Mount Vernon, Pleasant Valley, and Union townships.

The fifty-fifth representative district shall consist of:
In Clayton county, Boardman, Highland, and Marion townships.
In Fayette county:

(1) The cities of Fayette and West Union.

(2) Auburn, Bethel, Clermont, Dover, Eden, Illyria, Pleasant Valley, Union, Westfield, and Windsor townships.

In Winneshiek county, Bloomfield, Calmar, Canoe, Decorah, Frankville, Glenwood, Hesper, Highland, Jackson, Military, Pleasant, Springfield, Sumner, and Washington townships.
The fifty-sixth representative district shall consist of:
Allamakee county.
In Clayton county, Buena Vista, Cass, Clayton, Cox Creek, Elk, Farmersburg, Garnavillo, Giard, Grand Meadow, Jefferson, Lodomillo, Mallory, Mendon, Millville, Monona, Read, Sperry, Volga, and Wagner townships.
The fifty-seventh representative district in Dubuque county consists of:
The city of Asbury.
That portion of Center township bounded by a line commencing at the point the east boundary of Center township intersects the north corporate limits of the city of Asbury, then proceeding first south, then in a counterclockwise manner along the corporate limits of the city of Asbury until it intersects the corporate limits of the city of Dubuque, then proceeding first west, then in a counterclockwise manner along the corporate limits of the city of Dubuque until it intersects the east boundary of Center township, then proceeding south along the east boundary of Center township until it intersects the corporate limits of the city of Dubuque, then proceeding first south, then in a counterclockwise manner along the corporate limits of the city of Dubuque until it intersects the south boundary of Center township, then proceeding first west, then in a clockwise manner along the boundary of Center township to the point of origin.
Liberty, Concord, Jefferson, Peru, New Wine, Iowa, Dodge, Taylor, Mosalem, Prairie Creek, and Vernon townships, and that portion of Washington township lying outside the corporate limits of the city of Zwingle.
That portion of Table Mound township not contained in the ninety-ninth representative district.
The fifty-eighth representative district shall consist of:
The city of Zwingle.
Jackson county.
In Dubuque county, Cascade and Whitewater townships.
In Jones county, Clay, Greenfield, Hale, Madison, Oxford, Richland, Rome, Scotch Grove, Washington, and Wyoming townships, and that portion of Fairview township not contained in the ninety-sixth representative district.
The fifty-ninth representative district in Black Hawk county consists of that portion of the city of Cedar Falls bounded by a line commencing at the point the east corporate limits of the city of Cedar Falls intersects East Greenhill road, then proceeding westerly along East Greenhill road until it intersects Cedar Heights drive, then proceeding north along Cedar Heights drive until it intersects Greenhill drive and its extension, then proceeding west along Greenhill drive and its extension until it intersects Hillside drive, then proceeding north along Hillside drive until it intersects Valley High drive, then proceeding west along Valley High drive until it intersects Clearview drive, then proceeding north along Clearview drive until it intersects Primrose drive, then proceeding west along Primrose drive until it intersects Rownd street, then proceeding north along Rownd street until it intersects Primrose drive, then proceeding westerly along Primrose drive until it intersects Maryhill drive, then proceeding southerly along Maryhill drive until it intersects Carlton drive, then proceeding northerly along Carlton drive until it intersects Orchard drive, then proceeding west along Orchard drive until it intersects South Main street, then proceeding north along South Main street until it intersects Oregon road, then proceeding easterly along Oregon road until it intersects Dallas drive, then proceeding north along Dallas drive until it intersects Utah road, then proceeding east along Utah road until it intersects Tucson drive, then proceeding north along Tucson drive until it intersects Idaho road, then proceeding east along Idaho road until it intersects Boulder drive, then proceeding north along Boulder drive until it intersects University avenue, then proceeding west along University avenue until it intersects Grove street, then proceeding north along Grove street until it intersects East Seerley boulevard, then proceeding westerly along East Seerley boulevard until it intersects West Seerley boulevard, then proceeding westerly along West Seerley boulevard until it intersects College street, then proceeding south along College street until it intersects University avenue, then proceeding southwesterly along University avenue until it intersects the corporate limits of the city of Cedar Falls, then proceeding first west, then in a clockwise manner along the corporate limits of the city of Cedar Falls to the point of origin.
The sixtieth representative district in Black Hawk county consists of:
Black Hawk, Cedar Falls, and Lincoln townships.
That portion of the city of Cedar Falls bounded by a line commencing at the point the east corporate limits of the city of Cedar Falls intersects East Greenhill road, then proceeding westerly along East Greenhill road until it intersects Cedar Heights drive, then proceeding north along Cedar Heights drive until it intersects Greenhill drive and its extension, then proceeding west along Greenhill drive and its extension until it intersects Hillside drive, then proceeding north along Hillside drive until it intersects Valley High drive, then proceeding west along Valley High drive until it intersects Clearview drive, then proceeding north along Clearview drive until it intersects Primrose drive, then proceeding west along Primrose drive until it intersects Rownd street, then proceeding north along Rownd street until it intersects Primrose drive, then proceeding westerly along Primrose drive until it intersects Maryhill drive, then proceeding southerly along Maryhill drive until it intersects Carlton drive, then proceeding northerly along Carlton drive until it intersects Orchard drive, then proceeding west along Orchard drive until it intersects South Main street, then proceeding north along South Main street until it intersects Oregon road, then proceeding easterly along Oregon road until it intersects Dallas drive, then proceeding north along Dallas drive until it intersects Utah road, then proceeding east along Utah road until it intersects Tucson drive, then proceeding north along Tucson drive until it intersects Idaho road, then proceeding east along Idaho road until it intersects Boulder drive, then proceeding north along Boulder drive until it intersects University avenue, then proceeding west along University avenue until it intersects Grove street, then proceeding north along Grove street until it intersects East Seerley boulevard, then proceeding westerly along East Seerley boulevard until it intersects West Seerley boulevard, then proceeding westerly along West Seerley boulevard until it intersects College street, then proceeding south along College street until it intersects University avenue, then proceeding southwesterly along University avenue until it intersects the corporate limits of the city of Cedar Falls, then proceeding first east, then in a counterclockwise manner along the corporate limits of the city of Cedar Falls to the point of origin.
That portion of the city of Waterloo bounded by a line commencing at the point Rainbow drive intersects the west corporate limit of the city of Waterloo, then proceeding southeasterly along Rainbow drive until it intersects Hanna boulevard, then proceeding southerly along Hanna boulevard until it intersects Maxine avenue, then proceeding west along Maxine avenue until it intersects Auburn street, then proceeding south along Auburn street until it intersects Maynard avenue, then proceeding west along Maynard avenue until it intersects Beverly Hill street, then proceeding southerly along Beverly Hill street until it intersects Carriage Hill drive, then proceeding southeasterly along Carriage Hill drive until it intersects Stephan avenue, then proceeding southerly along Stephan avenue until it intersects Falls avenue, then proceeding southwesterly along Falls avenue until it intersects University avenue, then proceeding southeasterly along University avenue until it intersects Ansborough avenue, then proceeding south along Ansborough avenue until it intersects Black Hawk creek, then proceeding easterly along Black Hawk creek until it intersects Fletcher avenue, then proceeding south along Fletcher avenue until it intersects Campbell avenue, then proceeding east along Campbell avenue until it intersects West Fourth street, then proceeding northeasterly along West Fourth street until it intersects Bayard street, then proceeding southerly along Bayard street until it intersects Byron avenue, then proceeding west along Byron avenue until it intersects Hale street, then proceeding south along Hale street until it intersects Carolina avenue, then proceeding west along Carolina avenue until it intersects Kimball avenue, then proceeding south along Kimball avenue until it intersects East San Marnan drive, then proceeding east along East San Marnan drive until it intersects Hawkeye road, then proceeding south along Hawkeye road until it intersects the south corporate limit of the city of Waterloo, then proceeding first west, then in a clockwise manner along the corporate limits of the city of Waterloo to the point of origin.
The sixty-first representative district in Black Hawk county shall consist of:
Orange, Cedar, Fox, and Spring Creek townships.
That portion of Poyner township bounded by a line commencing at the point Indian Creek road intersects the east boundary of Poyner township, then proceeding first south, and then in a clockwise manner along the boundary of Poyner township until it intersects Gilbertville road, then proceeding southeasterly along Gilbertville road until it intersects Indian Creek road, then proceeding southeasterly, then east, along Indian Creek road to the point of origin.
That portion of the city of Waterloo bounded by a line commencing at the point the east corporate limit of the city of Waterloo intersects the main channel of the Cedar river, then proceeding northwesterly along the main channel of the Cedar river until it intersects Conger street, then proceeding southwesterly along Conger street until it intersects West Conger street, then proceeding southwesterly along West Conger street until it intersects Westfield avenue, then proceeding southeasterly along Westfield avenue until it intersects Black Hawk creek, then proceeding southwesterly along Black Hawk creek until it intersects Fletcher avenue, then proceeding south along Fletcher avenue until it intersects Campbell avenue, then proceeding east along Campbell avenue until it intersects West Fourth street, then proceeding northeasterly along West Fourth street until it intersects Bayard street, then proceeding southerly along Bayard street until it intersects Byron avenue, then proceeding west along Byron avenue until it intersects Hale street, then proceeding south along Hale street until it intersects Carolina avenue, then proceeding west along Carolina avenue until it intersects Kimball avenue, then proceeding south along Kimball avenue until it intersects East San Marnan drive, then proceeding east along East San Marnan drive until it intersects Hawkeye road, then proceeding south along Hawkeye road until it intersects the south corporate limit of the city of Waterloo, then proceeding first east, then in a counterclockwise manner along the corporate limits of the city of Waterloo to the point of origin.
The sixty-second representative district in Black Hawk county shall consist of:
The cities of Elk Run Heights, Evansdale, and Raymond.
That portion of the city of Waterloo bounded by a line commencing at the point Rainbow drive intersects the west corporate limit of the city of Waterloo, then proceeding first north, then in a clockwise manner along the corporate limits of the city of Waterloo until it intersects the main channel of the Cedar river, then proceeding northwesterly along the main channel of the Cedar river until it intersects Conger street, then proceeding southwesterly along Conger street until it intersects West Conger street, then proceeding southwesterly along West Conger street until it intersects Westfield avenue, then proceeding southeasterly along Westfield avenue until it intersects Black Hawk creek, then proceeding southwesterly along Black Hawk creek until it intersects Ansborough avenue, then proceeding north along Ansborough avenue until it intersects University avenue, then proceeding northwesterly along University avenue until it intersects Falls avenue, then proceeding northerly along Falls avenue until it intersects Stephan avenue, then proceeding northerly along Stephan avenue until it intersects Carriage Hill drive, then proceeding westerly along Carriage Hill drive until it intersects Beverly Hill street, then proceeding northerly along Beverly Hill street until it intersects Maynard avenue, then proceeding east along Maynard avenue until it intersects Auburn street, then proceeding north along Auburn street until it intersects Maxine avenue, then proceeding east along Maxine avenue until it intersects Hanna boulevard, then proceeding northerly along Hanna boulevard until it intersects Rainbow drive, then proceeding northwesterly along Rainbow drive to the point of origin.
The sixty-third representative district shall consist of:
Bremer county.
In Black Hawk county, Barclay, Bennington, East Waterloo, Lester, Mount Vernon, Union, and Washington townships, and that portion of Poyner township not contained in the sixty-first and sixty-second representative districts.
The sixty-fourth representative district shall consist of:
In Buchanan county, Buffalo, Byron, Fairbank, Fremont, Hazleton, Jefferson, Liberty, Madison, Perry, Sumner, Washington, and Westburg townships.
In Fayette county:

(1) That portion of the city of Sumner in Fayette county.

(2) Banks, Center, Fairfield, Fremont, Harlan, Jefferson, Oran, Putnam, Scott, and Smithfield townships.

The sixty-fifth representative district in Linn county consists of that portion of the city of Cedar Rapids and Bertram township bounded by a line commencing at the point the east corporate limit of the city of Cedar Rapids intersects Thirty-fifth street drive Southeast, then proceeding westerly along Thirty-fifth street drive Southeast until it intersects First avenue East, then proceeding southerly along First avenue East until it intersects Nineteenth street Northeast, then proceeding northwesterly along Nineteenth street Northeast until it intersects E avenue Northeast, then proceeding northeasterly along E avenue Northeast until it intersects Twentieth street Northeast, then proceeding northerly along Twentieth street Northeast until it intersects Prairie drive Northeast, then proceeding northwesterly along Prairie drive Northeast until it intersects Robinwood lane Northeast, then proceeding westerly along Robinwood lane Northeast until it intersects Elmhurst drive Northeast, then proceeding westerly along Elmhurst drive Northeast until it intersects Oakland road Northeast, then proceeding southerly along Oakland road Northeast until it intersects F avenue Northeast, then proceeding southwesterly along F avenue Northeast until it intersects Interstate 380, then proceeding southerly along Interstate 380 until it intersects Union Pacific Railroad tracks, then proceeding southerly along Union Pacific Railroad tracks until it intersects Cedar Rapids and Iowa City Railway tracks, then proceeding first southerly, then westerly along Cedar Rapids and Iowa City Railway tracks until it intersects First street Southwest, then proceeding southerly along First street Southwest until it intersects C street Southwest, then proceeding southeasterly along C street Southwest until it intersects Sixteenth avenue Southwest, then proceeding southwesterly along Sixteenth avenue Southwest until it intersects Second street Southwest, then proceeding southerly along Second street Southwest until it intersects Seventeenth avenue Southwest, then proceeding easterly along Seventeenth avenue Southwest until it intersects Second street Southwest, then proceeding south along Second street Southwest until it intersects Wilson avenue Southwest, then proceeding west along Wilson avenue Southwest until it intersects Second street Southwest, then proceeding south along Second street Southwest until it intersects Twenty-sixth avenue Southwest, then proceeding west along Twenty-sixth avenue Southwest until it intersects J street Southwest, then proceeding southerly along J street Southwest until it intersects Union Pacific Railroad tracks, then proceeding easterly along Union Pacific Railroad tracks until it intersects the middle channel of the Cedar river, then proceeding easterly along the middle channel of the Cedar river until it intersects the corporate limits of the city of Cedar Rapids, then proceeding first north, then in a counterclockwise manner along the corporate limits of the city of Cedar Rapids to the point of origin.
The sixty-sixth representative district in Linn county consists of that portion of the city of Cedar Rapids and Monroe township bounded by a line commencing at the point the corporate limit of the city of Cedar Rapids and the south corporate limit of the city of Robins intersects Council street Northeast, then proceeding south along Council street Northeast until it intersects Collins road Northeast, then proceeding easterly along Collins road Northeast until it intersects Twixt Town road Northeast, then proceeding northerly along Twixt Town road Northeast until it intersects the corporate limits of the city of Cedar Rapids, then proceeding first east, then in a clockwise manner along the corporate limits of the city of Cedar Rapids until it intersects Thirty-fifth street drive Southeast, then proceeding westerly along Thirty-fifth street drive Southeast until it intersects First avenue East, then proceeding southerly along First avenue East until it intersects Nineteenth street Northeast, then proceeding northwesterly along Nineteenth street Northeast until it intersects E avenue Northeast, then proceeding northeasterly along E avenue Northeast until it intersects Twentieth street Northeast, then proceeding northerly along Twentieth street Northeast until it intersects Prairie drive Northeast, then proceeding northwesterly along Prairie drive Northeast until it intersects Robinwood lane Northeast, then proceeding westerly along Robinwood lane Northeast until it intersects Elmhurst drive Northeast, then proceeding westerly along Elmhurst drive Northeast until it intersects Oakland road Northeast, then proceeding southerly along Oakland road Northeast until it intersects F avenue Northeast, then proceeding southwesterly along F avenue Northeast until it intersects Interstate 380, then proceeding southerly along Interstate 380 until it intersects Union Pacific Railroad tracks, then proceeding northwesterly along Union Pacific Railroad tracks until it intersects the middle channel of the Cedar river, then proceeding westerly along the middle channel of the Cedar river until it intersects the east boundary of Clinton township and the corporate limits of the city of Cedar Rapids, then proceeding first southwesterly, then in a clockwise manner along the corporate limits of the city of Cedar Rapids to the point of origin.
The sixty-seventh representative district in Linn county consists of:
That portion of the city of Robins, the city of Hiawatha, and Monroe township, bounded by a line commencing at the point the south corporate limit of the city of Robins intersects the corporate limits of the city of Cedar Rapids, then proceeding southwesterly along the corporate limits of the city of Cedar Rapids until it intersects the corporate limits of the city of Hiawatha, then proceeding first east, then in a clockwise manner along the corporate limits of the city of Hiawatha until it intersects the west corporate limit of the city of Robins, then proceeding first north, then in a clockwise manner along the corporate limits of the city of Robins to the point of origin.
That portion of the city of Marion and Marion township bounded by a line commencing at the point the corporate limits of the city of Marion and the south boundary of that portion of Marion township lying outside the corporate limits of the city of Marion intersect Winslow road, then proceeding southerly along Winslow road until it intersects Indian Creek road, then proceeding southwesterly along Indian Creek road until it intersects Twenty-ninth avenue, then proceeding east along Twenty-ninth avenue until it intersects Twenty-fourth street, then proceeding southerly along Twenty-fourth street until it intersects Seventeenth avenue, then proceeding west along Seventeenth avenue until it intersects Northview drive, then proceeding south along Northview drive until it intersects Fifteenth avenue, then proceeding westerly along Fifteenth avenue until it intersects Douglas court, then proceeding north along Douglas court until it intersects Henderson drive, then proceeding westerly along Henderson drive until it intersects English boulevard, then proceeding southerly along English boulevard until it intersects Park avenue, then proceeding west along Park avenue until it intersects Lincoln drive, then proceeding southerly along Lincoln drive until it intersects Thirteenth avenue, then proceeding west along Thirteenth avenue until it intersects Seventh street, then proceeding south along Seventh street until it intersects Central avenue, then proceeding northwesterly along Central avenue until it intersects Alburnett road, then proceeding northwesterly along Alburnett road until it intersects Indian creek, then proceeding southwesterly along Indian creek until it intersects West Eighth avenue, then proceeding westerly along West Eighth avenue until it intersects Lindale drive, then proceeding southwesterly along Lindale drive until it intersects Chicago Central and Pacific Railroad tracks, then proceeding westerly along Chicago Central and Pacific Railroad tracks until it intersects the corporate limits of the city of Marion, then proceeding first north, then in a clockwise manner along the corporate limits of the city of Marion to the point of origin.
That portion of the city of Cedar Rapids bounded by a line commencing at the point the corporate limit of the city of Cedar Rapids and the south corporate limit of the city of Robins intersects Council street Northeast, then proceeding south along Council street Northeast until it intersects Collins road Northeast, then proceeding easterly along Collins road Northeast until it intersects Twixt Town road Northeast, then proceeding northerly along Twixt Town road Northeast until it intersects the corporate limits of the city of Cedar Rapids, then proceeding first west, then in a counterclockwise manner along the corporate limits of the city of Cedar Rapids to the point of origin.
The sixty-eighth representative district in Linn county consists of:
The city of Ely.
Putnam township, and that portion of Bertram township not contained in the sixty-fifth representative district.
That portion of the city of Marion and Marion township bounded by a line commencing at the point the corporate limit of the city of Marion and the south boundary of that portion of Marion township lying outside the corporate limits of the city of Marion intersect Winslow road, then proceeding southerly along Winslow road until it intersects Indian Creek road, then proceeding southwesterly along Indian Creek road until it intersects Twenty-ninth avenue, then proceeding east along Twenty-ninth avenue until it intersects Twenty-fourth street, then proceeding southerly along Twenty-fourth street until it intersects Seventeenth avenue, then proceeding west along Seventeenth avenue until it intersects Northview drive, then proceeding south along Northview drive until it intersects Fifteenth avenue, then proceeding westerly along Fifteenth avenue until it intersects Douglas court, then proceeding north along Douglas court until it intersects Henderson drive, then proceeding westerly along Henderson drive until it intersects English boulevard, then proceeding southerly along English boulevard until it intersects Park avenue, then proceeding west along Park avenue until it intersects Lincoln drive, then proceeding southerly along Lincoln drive until it intersects Thirteenth avenue, then proceeding west along Thirteenth avenue until it intersects Seventh street, then proceeding south along Seventh street until it intersects Central avenue, then proceeding northwesterly along Central avenue until it intersects Alburnett road, then proceeding northwesterly along Alburnett road until it intersects Indian creek, then proceeding southwesterly along Indian creek until it intersects West Eighth avenue, then proceeding westerly along West Eighth avenue until it intersects Lindale drive, then proceeding southwesterly along Lindale drive until it intersects Chicago Central and Pacific Railroad tracks, then proceeding westerly along Chicago Central and Pacific Railroad tracks until it intersects the east corporate limit of the city of Cedar Rapids, then proceeding first south, then in a clockwise manner along the corporate limits of the city of Cedar Rapids until it intersects the north boundary of Bertram township, then proceeding east along the boundary of Bertram township until it intersects U.S. highway 151, then proceeding north along U.S. highway 151 until it intersects the south corporate limit of the city of Marion, then proceeding first east, then in a counterclockwise manner along the corporate limits of the city of Marion to the point of origin.
The sixty-ninth representative district in Linn county consists of:
Fairfax township and that portion of College township lying outside the corporate limits of the city of Ely.
That portion of the city of Cedar Rapids bounded by a line commencing at the point the west corporate limit of the city of Cedar Rapids intersects Sixteenth avenue Southwest, then proceeding easterly along Sixteenth avenue Southwest until it intersects Eighteenth street Southwest, then proceeding northerly along Eighteenth street Southwest until it intersects First avenue Northwest, then proceeding easterly along First avenue Northwest until it intersects Twelfth street Southwest, then proceeding southeasterly along Twelfth street Southwest until it intersects Third avenue Southwest, then proceeding east along Third avenue Southwest until it intersects Union Pacific Railroad tracks, then proceeding first northeasterly, then southeasterly along Union Pacific Railroad tracks until it intersects Cedar Rapids and Iowa City Railway tracks, then proceeding first southerly, then westerly along Cedar Rapids and Iowa City Railway tracks until it intersects First street Southwest, then proceeding southerly along First street Southwest until it intersects C street Southwest, then proceeding southeasterly along C street Southwest until it intersects Sixteenth avenue Southwest, then proceeding southwesterly along Sixteenth avenue Southwest until it intersects Second street Southwest, then proceeding southerly along Second street Southwest until it intersects Seventeenth avenue Southwest, then proceeding easterly along Seventeenth avenue Southwest until it intersects Second street Southwest, then proceeding south along Second street Southwest until it intersects Wilson avenue Southwest, then proceeding west along Wilson avenue Southwest until it intersects Second street Southwest, then proceeding south along Second street Southwest until it intersects Twenty-sixth avenue Southwest, then proceeding west along Twenty-sixth avenue Southwest until it intersects J street Southwest, then proceeding southerly along J street Southwest until it intersects Union Pacific Railroad tracks, then proceeding easterly along Union Pacific Railroad tracks until it intersects the middle channel of the Cedar river, then proceeding easterly along the middle channel of the Cedar river until it intersects the corporate limit of the city of Cedar Rapids, then proceeding first north, then easterly along the corporate limits of the city of Cedar Rapids until it intersects the west boundary of Putnam township, then proceeding southerly along the boundary of Putnam township until it intersects the corporate limit of the city of Cedar Rapids, then proceeding first south, then in a clockwise manner along the corporate limits of the city of Cedar Rapids to the point of origin.
The seventieth representative district in Linn county consists of:
Clinton township.
That portion of the city of Cedar Rapids bounded by a line commencing at the point the west corporate limit of the city of Cedar Rapids intersects Sixteenth avenue Southwest, then proceeding easterly along Sixteenth avenue Southwest until it intersects Eighteenth street Southwest, then proceeding northerly along Eighteenth street Southwest until it intersects First avenue Northwest, then proceeding easterly along First avenue Northwest until it intersects Twelfth street Southwest, then proceeding southeasterly along Twelfth street Southwest until it intersects Third avenue Southwest, then proceeding east along Third avenue Southwest until it intersects Union Pacific Railroad tracks, then proceeding northeasterly along Union Pacific Railroad tracks until it intersects the middle channel of the Cedar river, then proceeding westerly along the middle channel of the Cedar river until it intersects the east boundary of Clinton township and the corporate limits of the city of Cedar Rapids, then proceeding first south, then in a counterclockwise manner along the corporate limits of the city of Cedar Rapids to the point of origin.
The seventy-first representative district in Marshall county shall consist of:
The city of Marshalltown.
Bangor, Liscomb, Marion, Taylor, and Vienna townships.
The seventy-second representative district shall consist of:
Tama county.
In Black Hawk county, Big Creek and Eagle townships.
In Marshall county, Eden, Greencastle, Jefferson, Liberty, Logan, Marietta, Minerva, State Center, and Washington townships, and those portions of Le Grand and Timber Creek townships lying outside the corporate limits of the city of Marshalltown.
The seventy-third representative district shall consist of:
The city of Wilton.
Cedar county.
In Johnson county, Big Grove, Cedar, Graham, Newport, and Scott townships.
The seventy-fourth representative district in Johnson county shall consist of:
The city of Coralville.
That portion of the city of Iowa City and West Lucas township bounded by a line commencing at the point the west corporate limit of the city of Iowa City intersects state highway 1, then proceeding northeasterly along state highway 1 until it intersects Sunset street, then proceeding northwesterly along Sunset street until it intersects Aber avenue, then proceeding westerly along Aber avenue until it intersects Teg drive, then proceeding first westerly, then northerly, along Teg drive until it intersects West Benton street, then proceeding west along West Benton street until it intersects Keswick drive, then proceeding first northerly, then easterly, along Keswick drive until it intersects Westgate street, then proceeding northerly along Westgate street until it intersects Melrose avenue, then proceeding westerly along Melrose avenue until it intersects Mormon Trek boulevard, then proceeding northerly along Mormon Trek boulevard until it intersects the south corporate limit of the city of Coralville, then proceeding westerly along the corporate limits of the city of Coralville until it intersects the west boundary of West Lucas township, then proceeding south along the boundary of West Lucas township until it intersects the corporate limits of the city of Iowa City, then proceeding first west, then in a counterclockwise manner along the corporate limits of the city of Iowa City to the point of origin.
That portion of Penn township and East Lucas township bounded by a line commencing at the point the west boundary of Penn township intersects the north corporate limit of the city of North Liberty, then proceeding first north, then in a clockwise manner along the boundary of Penn township until it intersects the north boundary of East Lucas township, then proceeding first east, then in a clockwise manner along the boundary of East Lucas township until it intersects the boundary of Penn township, then proceeding westerly along the boundary of Penn township until it intersects the corporate limits of the city of Coralville, then proceeding first west, then in a counterclockwise manner along the corporate limits of the city of Coralville until it intersects the south corporate limit of the city of North Liberty, then proceeding first northerly, then in a counterclockwise manner along the corporate limits of the city of North Liberty to the point of origin.
The seventy-fifth representative district shall consist of:
Benton county.
In Iowa county, Honey Creek, Marengo, and Washington townships, and that portion of Hilton township lying outside the corporate limits of the city of Williamsburg.
The seventy-sixth representative district shall consist of:
Poweshiek county.
In Iowa county:

(1) The city of Williamsburg.

(2) Dayton, English, Fillmore, Greene, Hartford, Iowa, Lenox, Lincoln, Pilot, Sumner, Troy, and York townships.

The seventy-seventh representative district in Johnson county shall consist of:
The city of North Liberty.
Fremont, Hardin, Jefferson, Lincoln, Madison, Monroe, Oxford, Pleasant Valley, Sharon, and Washington townships.
Those portions of Clear Creek and Union townships lying outside the corporate limits of the city of Coralville, that portion of Penn township not contained in the seventy-fourth representative district, that portion of Liberty township not contained in the eighty-sixth representative district, and that portion of West Lucas township not contained in the seventy-fourth or eighty-sixth representative district.
The seventy-eighth representative district shall consist of:
Keokuk county.
In Washington county, Cedar, Clay, Dutch Creek, English River, Franklin, Highland, Iowa, Jackson, Lime Creek, Oregon, Seventy-Six, and Washington townships.
The seventy-ninth representative district shall consist of:
In Mahaska county:

(1) The cities of Oskaloosa and University Park.

(2) Black Oak, Garfield, Jefferson, Lincoln, Madison, Prairie, Richland, Scott, and West Des Moines townships.

(3) That portion of East Des Moines township lying outside the corporate limits of the city of Eddyville, and that portion of Spring Creek township not contained in the eightieth representative district.

In Marion county, Lake Prairie township.
The eightieth representative district shall consist of:
The city of Eddyville.
Appanoose county.
Monroe county.
In Mahaska county:

(1) Adams, Cedar, Harrison, Monroe, Pleasant Grove, Union, and White Oak townships.

(2) That portion of Spring Creek township bounded by a line commencing at the point the north corporate limit of the city of University Park and the east corporate limit of the city of Oskaloosa intersects the west boundary of Spring Creek township, then proceeding first north, then in a clockwise manner along the boundary of Spring Creek township until it intersects the corporate limits of the city of University Park, then proceeding first north, then west, along the corporate limits of the city of University Park to the point of origin.

In Wapello county:

(1) Adams, Cass, Columbia, Highland, and Polk townships, and that portion of Richland township lying outside the corporate limits of the city of Ottumwa.

(2) That portion of Center township bounded by a line commencing at the point the north boundary of Center township intersects the west corporate limit of the city of Ottumwa, then proceeding first west, then in a counterclockwise manner along the boundary of Center township until it intersects the south corporate limit of the city of Ottumwa, then proceeding first west, then in a clockwise manner along the corporate limits of the city of Ottumwa to the point of origin.

The eighty-first representative district in Wapello county shall consist of:
The city of Ottumwa.
Agency, Competine, Dahlonega, Green, Keokuk, Pleasant, and Washington townships, and that portion of Center township not contained in the eightieth representative district.
The eighty-second representative district shall consist of:
Davis county.
Van Buren county.
In Jefferson county:

(1) The city of Fairfield.

(2) Black Hawk, Cedar, Center, Des Moines, Liberty, Locust Grove, Penn, and Polk townships.

The eighty-third representative district in Lee county shall consist of:
The city of Keokuk.
Des Moines, Green Bay, Jackson, Jefferson, Madison, Montrose, Van Buren, and Washington townships, and that portion of Charleston township lying outside the corporate limits of the city of Donnellson.
The eighty-fourth representative district shall consist of:
Henry county.
In Jefferson county, Buchanan, Lockridge, Round Prairie, and Walnut townships.
In Lee county:

(1) The city of Donnellson.

(2) Cedar, Denmark, Franklin, Harrison, Marion, Pleasant Ridge, and West Point townships.

In Washington county, Brighton, Crawford, and Marion townships.
The eighty-fifth representative district in Johnson county shall consist of that portion of the city of Iowa City bounded by a line commencing at the point the west corporate limit of the city of Iowa City intersects Second street, then proceeding southeasterly along Second street until it intersects South Riverside drive, then proceeding southerly along South Riverside drive until it intersects Newton road, then proceeding east along Newton road until it intersects the Iowa river, then proceeding southerly along the Iowa river until it intersects West Burlington street, then proceeding east along West Burlington street until it intersects East Burlington street, then proceeding east along East Burlington street until it intersects South Gilbert street, then proceeding southerly along South Gilbert street until it intersects the Iowa Interstate Railroad tracks, then proceeding southeasterly along the Iowa Interstate Railroad tracks until it intersects South Lucas street and its extension, then proceeding northerly along South Lucas street and its extension until it intersects Bowery street, then proceeding east along Bowery street until it intersects South Governor street, then proceeding north along South Governor street until it intersects East Burlington street, then proceeding east along East Burlington street until it intersects Muscatine avenue, then proceeding first southeasterly, then east, along Muscatine avenue until it intersects American Legion road Southeast, then proceeding east along American Legion road Southeast until it intersects the east corporate limit of the city of Iowa City, then proceeding first north, then in a counterclockwise manner along the corporate limits of the city of Iowa City to the point of origin.
The eighty-sixth representative district in Johnson county consists of:
The cities of Hills and University Heights.
That portion of Liberty, East Lucas, and West Lucas townships, and the city of Iowa City, bounded by a line commencing at the point First avenue intersects Second street on the corporate limit of the city of Iowa City, then proceeding southeasterly along Second street until it intersects South Riverside drive, then proceeding southerly along South Riverside drive until it intersects Newton road, then proceeding east along Newton road until it intersects the Iowa river, then proceeding southerly along the Iowa river until it intersects West Burlington street, then proceeding east along West Burlington street until it intersects East Burlington street, then proceeding east along East Burlington street until it intersects South Gilbert street, then proceeding southerly along South Gilbert street until it intersects the Iowa Interstate Railroad tracks, then proceeding southeasterly along the Iowa Interstate Railroad tracks until it intersects South Lucas street and its extension, then proceeding northerly along South Lucas street and its extension until it intersects Bowery street, then proceeding east along Bowery street until it intersects South Governor street, then proceeding north along South Governor street until it intersects East Burlington street, then proceeding east along East Burlington street until it intersects Muscatine avenue, then proceeding first southeasterly, then east, along Muscatine avenue until it intersects American Legion road Southeast, then proceeding east along American Legion road Southeast until it intersects the east corporate limit of the city of Iowa City, then proceeding first east, then in a clockwise manner along the corporate limits of the city of Iowa City until it intersects the east boundary of East Lucas township, then proceeding south along the boundary of East Lucas township until it intersects the north boundary of Pleasant Valley township, then proceeding first west, then in a counterclockwise manner along the boundary of Pleasant Valley township until it intersects the corporate limit of the city of Hills, then proceeding first west, then in a counterclockwise manner along the corporate limits of the city of Hills until it intersects the south corporate limit of the city of Iowa City, then proceeding first west, then in a clockwise manner along the corporate limits of the city of Iowa City until it intersects state highway 1, then proceeding northeasterly along state highway 1 until it intersects Sunset street, then proceeding northwesterly along Sunset street until it intersects Aber avenue, then proceeding westerly along Aber avenue until it intersects Teg drive, then proceeding first westerly, then northerly, along Teg drive until it intersects West Benton street, then proceeding west along West Benton street until it intersects Keswick drive, then proceeding first northerly, then easterly, along Keswick drive until it intersects Westgate street, then proceeding northerly along Westgate street until it intersects Melrose avenue, then proceeding westerly along Melrose avenue until it intersects Mormon Trek boulevard, then proceeding northerly along Mormon Trek boulevard until it intersects First avenue, then proceeding northeasterly along First avenue to the point of origin.
The eighty-seventh representative district in Des Moines county shall consist of:
The cities of Burlington and West Burlington.
Concordia and Tama townships.
The eighty-eighth representative district shall consist of:
Louisa county.
In Des Moines county:

(1) The cities of Danville, Mediapolis, and Middletown.

(2) Benton, Danville, Flint River, Franklin, Huron, Jackson, Pleasant Grove, Union, Washington, and Yellow Springs townships.

In Muscatine county:

(1) Cedar, Goshen, Lake, Orono, Pike, and Wapsinonoc townships, those portions of Moscow and Wilton townships lying outside the corporate limits of the city of Wilton, and that portion of Seventy-Six township lying outside the corporate limits of the city of Muscatine.

(2) That portion of Fruitland township bounded by a line commencing at the point the north boundary of Fruitland township intersects the west corporate limit of the city of Muscatine, then proceeding first west, then in a counterclockwise manner along the boundary of Fruitland township until it intersects the corporate limits of the city of Muscatine, then proceeding first east, then in a clockwise manner along the corporate limits of the city of Muscatine to the point of origin.

The eighty-ninth district in Scott county consists of that portion of the city of Davenport bounded by a line commencing at the point the west corporate limit of the city of Davenport intersects the Iowa Interstate Railroad tracks, then proceeding easterly along the Iowa Interstate Railroad tracks until it intersects West Forty-sixth street, then proceeding east along West Forty-sixth street until it intersects Wisconsin avenue, then proceeding north along Wisconsin avenue until it intersects West Kimberly road, then proceeding southeasterly along West Kimberly road until it intersects Wyoming avenue, then proceeding north along Wyoming avenue until it intersects West Silver creek, then proceeding easterly along West Silver creek until it intersects North Fairmount street, then proceeding south along North Fairmount street until it intersects West Forty-ninth street, then proceeding easterly along West Forty-ninth street until it intersects North Pine street, then proceeding north along North Pine street until it intersects Northwest boulevard, then proceeding northerly along Northwest boulevard until it intersects Ridgeview drive, then proceeding northeasterly along Ridgeview drive until it intersects North Division street, then proceeding southerly along North Division street until it intersects Northwest boulevard, then proceeding southeasterly along Northwest boulevard until it intersects North Harrison street, then proceeding southerly along North Harrison street until it intersects West Thirty-fifth street, then proceeding easterly along West Thirty-fifth street until it intersects Fair avenue, then proceeding north along Fair avenue until it intersects East Thirty-seventh street, then proceeding east along East Thirty-seventh street until it intersects North Brady street, then proceeding southerly along North Brady street until it intersects Brady street, then proceeding southerly along Brady street until it intersects East Thirtieth street, then proceeding west along East Thirtieth street until it intersects Dubuque street, then proceeding south along Dubuque street until it intersects East Thirtieth street, then proceeding west along East Thirtieth street until it intersects West Thirtieth street, then proceeding west along West Thirtieth street until it intersects Sheridan street, then proceeding south along Sheridan street until it intersects West Columbia avenue, then proceeding west along West Columbia avenue until it intersects North Main street, then proceeding south along North Main street until it intersects West Central Park avenue, then proceeding west along West Central Park avenue until it intersects North Harrison street, then proceeding southerly along North Harrison street until it intersects West Rusholme street, then proceeding westerly along West Rusholme street until it intersects Warren street, then proceeding southerly along Warren street until it intersects West Fifteenth street, then proceeding west along West Fifteenth street until it intersects North Marquette street, then proceeding south along North Marquette street until it intersects West Fifteenth street, then proceeding west along West Fifteenth street until it intersects North Sturdevant street, then proceeding south along North Sturdevant street until it intersects West Fourteenth street, then proceeding west along West Fourteenth street and its extension until it intersects the Iowa Interstate Railroad tracks, then proceeding northerly along the Iowa Interstate Railroad tracks until it intersects West Pleasant street and its extension, then proceeding easterly along West Pleasant street and its extension until it intersects North Howell street, then proceeding northerly along North Howell street until it intersects Frisco drive, then proceeding northerly along Frisco drive until it intersects Hickory Grove road, then proceeding northwesterly along Hickory Grove road until it intersects West Central Park avenue, then proceeding west along West Central Park avenue until it intersects North Michigan avenue, then proceeding south along North Michigan avenue until it intersects West Lombard street, then proceeding east along West Lombard street until it intersects North Clark street, then proceeding southerly along North Clark street until it intersects Waverly road, then proceeding southeasterly along Waverly road until it intersects Telegraph road, then proceeding westerly along Telegraph road until it intersects Wisconsin avenue, then proceeding northerly along Wisconsin avenue until it intersects West Locust street, then proceeding west along West Locust street until it intersects One Hundred Sixtieth street, then proceeding west along One Hundred Sixtieth street until it intersects the west corporate limit of the city of Davenport, then proceeding first west, then in a clockwise manner along the corporate limits of the city of Davenport to the point of origin.
The ninetieth district in Scott county consists of:
That portion of the city of Buffalo and Buffalo township commencing at the point the west boundary of Scott county intersects the boundary of the state of Iowa, then proceeding north along the boundary of Scott county until it intersects the south corporate limit of the city of Buffalo, then proceeding first north, then in a clockwise manner along the corporate limits of the city of Buffalo until it intersects the west corporate limit of the city of Davenport, then proceeding south along the corporate limits of the city of Davenport until it intersects the boundary of the state of Iowa, then proceeding westerly along the boundary of the state of Iowa to the point of origin.
That portion of Blue Grass township and the city of Davenport bounded by a line commencing at the point the boundary of the state of Iowa and the corporate limits of the city of Davenport intersect the extension of Mound street to the Mississippi river, then proceeding northerly along Mound street and its extension until it intersects East Thirteenth street, then proceeding easterly along East Thirteenth street until it intersects Kirkwood boulevard, then proceeding westerly along Kirkwood boulevard until it intersects Bridge avenue, then proceeding north along Bridge avenue until it intersects East Locust street, then proceeding west along East Locust street until it intersects Iowa street, then proceeding south along Iowa street until it intersects Kirkwood boulevard, then proceeding westerly along Kirkwood boulevard until it intersects Brady street, then proceeding south along Brady street until it intersects West Sixteenth street, then proceeding west along West Sixteenth street until it intersects North Harrison street, then proceeding north along North Harrison street until it intersects West Locust street, then proceeding west along West Locust street until it intersects Ripley street, then proceeding north along Ripley street until it intersects West Pleasant street, then proceeding westerly along West Pleasant street until it intersects Scott street, then proceeding north along Scott street until it intersects West Rusholme street, then proceeding westerly along West Rusholme street until it intersects Warren street, then proceeding southerly along Warren street until it intersects West Fifteenth street, then proceeding west along West Fifteenth street until it intersects North Marquette street, then proceeding south along North Marquette street until it intersects West Fifteenth street, then proceeding west along West Fifteenth street until it intersects North Sturdevant street, then proceeding south along North Sturdevant street until it intersects West Fourteenth street, then proceeding west along West Fourteenth street and its extension until it intersects the Iowa Interstate Railroad tracks, then proceeding northerly along the Iowa Interstate Railroad tracks until it intersects West Pleasant street and its extension, then proceeding easterly along West Pleasant street and its extension until it intersects North Howell street, then proceeding northerly along North Howell street until it intersects Frisco drive, then proceeding northerly along Frisco drive until it intersects Hickory Grove road, then proceeding northwesterly along Hickory Grove road until it intersects West Central Park avenue, then proceeding west along West Central Park avenue until it intersects North Michigan avenue, then proceeding south along North Michigan avenue until it intersects West Lombard street, then proceeding east along West Lombard street until it intersects North Clark street, then proceeding southerly along North Clark street until it intersects Waverly road, then proceeding southeasterly along Waverly road until it intersects Telegraph road, then proceeding westerly along Telegraph road until it intersects Wisconsin avenue, then proceeding northerly along Wisconsin avenue until it intersects West Locust street, then proceeding west along West Locust street until it intersects One Hundred Sixtieth street, then proceeding west along One Hundred Sixtieth street until it intersects the west corporate limit of the city of Davenport, then proceeding first south, then in a counterclockwise manner along the corporate limits of the city of Davenport to the point of origin.
The ninety-first representative district in Muscatine county shall consist of:
The city of Muscatine.
Bloomington, Fulton, Montpelier, and Sweetland townships, and those portions of Fruitland township not contained in the eighty-eighth representative district.
The ninety-second representative district in Scott county consists of:
The cities of Dixon, Donahue, and Long Grove.
Liberty, Cleona, Hickory Grove, and Sheridan townships, and those portions of Blue Grass and Buffalo townships not contained in the ninetieth representative district.
That portion of the city of Davenport bounded by a line commencing at the point the west corporate limit of the city of Davenport intersects the Iowa Interstate Railroad tracks, then proceeding easterly along the Iowa Interstate Railroad tracks until it intersects West Forty-sixth street, then proceeding east along West Forty-sixth street until it intersects Wisconsin avenue, then proceeding north along Wisconsin avenue until it intersects West Kimberly road, then proceeding southeasterly along West Kimberly road until it intersects Wyoming avenue, then proceeding north along Wyoming avenue until it intersects West Silver Creek, then proceeding easterly along West Silver Creek until it intersects North Fairmount street, then proceeding south along North Fairmount street until it intersects West Forty-ninth street, then proceeding easterly along West Forty-ninth street until it intersects North Pine street, then proceeding north along North Pine street until it intersects Northwest boulevard, then proceeding northerly along Northwest boulevard until it intersects Ridgeview drive, then proceeding northeasterly along Ridgeview drive until it intersects North Division street, then proceeding southerly along North Division street until it intersects Northwest boulevard, then proceeding southeasterly along Northwest boulevard until it intersects North Harrison street, then proceeding southerly along North Harrison street until it intersects West Thirty-fifth street, then proceeding easterly along West Thirty-fifth street until it intersects Fair avenue, then proceeding north along Fair avenue until it intersects East Thirty-seventh street, then proceeding east along East Thirty-seventh street until it intersects Fair avenue, then proceeding northerly along Fair avenue until it intersects East Kimberly road, then proceeding easterly along East Kimberly road until it intersects North Brady street, then proceeding northerly along North Brady street until it intersects East Fifty-third street, then proceeding west along East Fifty-third street until it intersects Welcome way, then proceeding north along Welcome way until it intersects East Sixty-first street and its extension, then proceeding westerly along East Sixty-first street and its extension until it intersects West Sixty-first street, then proceeding westerly along West Sixty-first street until it intersects North Ripley street, then proceeding northerly along North Ripley street until it intersects West Sixty-fifth street, then proceeding easterly along West Sixty-fifth street until it intersects East Sixty-fifth street, then proceeding easterly along East Sixty-fifth street until it intersects North Brady street, then proceeding northerly along North Brady street until it intersects U.S. highway 61, then proceeding northerly along U.S. highway 61 until it intersects the corporate limits of the city of Davenport, then proceeding first northerly, then in a counterclockwise manner along the corporate limits of the city of Davenport to the point of origin.
The ninety-third representative district in Scott county consists of that portion of the city of Bettendorf and the city of Davenport bounded by a line commencing at the point the boundary of the state of Iowa and the corporate limits of the city of Davenport intersect the extension of Mound street to the Mississippi river, then proceeding northerly along Mound street and its extension until it intersects East Thirteenth street, then proceeding east along East Thirteenth street until it intersects Kirkwood boulevard, then proceeding westerly along Kirkwood boulevard until it intersects Bridge avenue, then proceeding north along Bridge avenue until it intersects East Locust street, then proceeding west along East Locust street until it intersects Iowa street, then proceeding south along Iowa street until it intersects Kirkwood boulevard, then proceeding westerly along Kirkwood boulevard until it intersects Brady street, then proceeding south along Brady street until it intersects West Sixteenth street, then proceeding west along West Sixteenth street until it intersects North Harrison street, then proceeding north along North Harrison street until it intersects West Locust street, then proceeding west along West Locust street until it intersects Ripley street, then proceeding north along Ripley street until it intersects West Pleasant street, then proceeding westerly along West Pleasant street until it intersects Scott street, then proceeding north along Scott street until it intersects West Rusholme street, then proceeding east along West Rusholme street until it intersects North Harrison street, then proceeding northerly along North Harrison street until it intersects West Central Park avenue, then proceeding east along West Central Park avenue until it intersects North Main street, then proceeding north along North Main street until it intersects West Columbia avenue, then proceeding east along West Columbia avenue until it intersects Sheridan street, then proceeding north along Sheridan street until it intersects West Thirtieth street, then proceeding east along West Thirtieth street until it intersects East Thirtieth street, then proceeding east along East Thirtieth street until it intersects Dubuque street, then proceeding north along Dubuque street until it intersects East Thirtieth street, then proceeding east along East Thirtieth street until it intersects Brady street, then proceeding northerly along Brady street until it intersects North Brady street, then proceeding northerly along North Brady street until it intersects East Thirty-seventh street, then proceeding west along East Thirty-seventh street until it intersects Fair avenue, then proceeding northerly along Fair avenue until it intersects East Kimberly road, then proceeding easterly along East Kimberly road until it intersects North Brady street, then proceeding northerly along North Brady street until it intersects East Fifty-third street, then proceeding east along East Fifty-third street until it intersects Eastern avenue, then proceeding south along Eastern avenue until it intersects East Forty-sixth street, then proceeding east along East Forty-sixth street until it intersects Jersey Ridge road, then proceeding north along Jersey Ridge road until it intersects East Fifty-third street, then proceeding east along East Fifty-third street until it intersects the east corporate limit of the city of Davenport, then proceeding first south, then west, along the corporate limits of the city of Davenport until it intersects Hamilton drive, then proceeding southerly along Hamilton drive until it intersects Queens drive, then proceeding easterly along Queens drive until it intersects Greenbrier drive, then proceeding southerly along Greenbrier drive until it intersects Tanglefoot lane, then proceeding east along Tanglefoot lane until it intersects Parkdale drive, then proceeding south along Parkdale drive until it intersects Brookside drive, then proceeding east along Brookside drive until it intersects Eighteenth street, then proceeding southerly along Eighteenth street until it intersects Middle road, then proceeding westerly along Middle road until it intersects Fourteenth street, then proceeding southerly along Fourteenth street until it intersects Mississippi boulevard, then proceeding easterly along Mississippi boulevard until it intersects Twenty-second street, then proceeding south along Twenty-second street until it intersects Grant street, then proceeding easterly along Grant street until it intersects Twenty-third street, then proceeding southerly along Twenty-third street and its extension until it intersects the boundary of the state of Iowa, then proceeding westerly along the boundary of the state of Iowa to the point of origin.
The ninety-fourth representative district in Scott county consists of:
The cities of Riverdale and Panorama Park.
That portion of Pleasant Valley township lying outside the corporate limits of the city of Bettendorf.
That portion of the city of Bettendorf and the city of Davenport commencing at the point the boundary of the state of Iowa and the corporate limits of the city of Bettendorf intersect Twenty-third street and its extension, then proceeding northerly along Twenty-third street and its extension until it intersects Grant street, then proceeding westerly along Grant street until it intersects Twenty-second street, then proceeding north along Twenty-second street until it intersects Mississippi boulevard, then proceeding westerly along Mississippi boulevard until it intersects Fourteenth street, then proceeding northerly along Fourteenth street until it intersects Middle road, then proceeding easterly along Middle road until it intersects Eighteenth street, then proceeding northeasterly along Eighteenth street until it intersects Brookside drive, then proceeding west along Brookside drive until it intersects Parkdale drive, then proceeding north along Parkdale drive until it intersects Tanglefoot lane, then proceeding west along Tanglefoot lane until it intersects Greenbrier drive, then proceeding northerly along Greenbrier drive until it intersects Queens drive, then proceeding westerly along Queens drive until it intersects Hamilton drive, then proceeding northerly along Hamilton drive until it intersects the corporate limits of the city of Davenport, then proceeding first east, then north, along the corporate limits of the city of Davenport until it intersects East Fifty-third street, then proceeding west along East Fifty-third street until it intersects Jersey Ridge road, then proceeding south along Jersey Ridge road until it intersects East Forty-sixth street, then proceeding west along East Forty-sixth street until it intersects Eastern avenue, then proceeding north along Eastern avenue until it intersects East Fifty-third street, then proceeding west along East Fifty-third street until it intersects Welcome way, then proceeding north along Welcome way until it intersects East Sixty-first street and its extension, then proceeding westerly along East Sixty-first street and its extension until it intersects West Sixty-first street, then proceeding westerly along West Sixty-first street until it intersects North Ripley street, then proceeding northerly along North Ripley street until it intersects West Sixty-fifth street, then proceeding easterly along West Sixty-fifth street until it intersects East Sixty-fifth street, then proceeding easterly along East Sixty-fifth street until it intersects North Brady street, then proceeding northerly along North Brady street until it intersects U.S. highway 61, then proceeding northerly along U.S. highway 61 until it intersects the corporate limits of the city of Davenport, then proceeding first southerly, then in a clockwise manner along the corporate limits of the city of Davenport until it intersects the west corporate limit of the city of Bettendorf, then proceeding first north, then in a clockwise manner along the corporate limits of the city of Bettendorf to the point of origin.
The ninety-fifth representative district shall consist of:
In Buchanan county, Cono, Homer, Middlefield, and Newton townships.
In Linn county, Boulder, Brown, Buffalo, Fayette, Franklin, Grant, Jackson, Linn, Maine, Otter Creek, Spring Grove, and Washington townships, that portion of Marion township not contained in the sixty-seventh or sixty-eighth representative district, and that portion of Monroe township not contained in the sixty-sixth or sixty-seventh representative district.
The ninety-sixth representative district shall consist of:
Delaware county.
In Jones county:

(1) Cass, Castle Grove, Jackson, Lovell, and Wayne townships.

(2) That portion of Fairview township bounded by a line commencing at the point the south corporate limit of the city of Anamosa intersects the east boundary of Fairview township, then proceeding first west, then in a clockwise manner along the corporate limits of the city of Anamosa, until it intersects the north boundary of Fairview township, then proceeding first east, then in a clockwise manner along the boundary of Fairview township to the point of origin.

The ninety-seventh representative district shall consist of:
In Clinton county, Bloomfield, Brookfield, De Witt, Grant, Liberty, Olive, Orange, Sharon, Spring Rock, Washington, and Welton townships, that portion of Eden township lying outside the corporate limits of the city of Low Moor, and that portion of Camanche township bounded by a line commencing at the point the boundary of the state of Iowa intersects the east corporate limit of the city of Camanche, then proceeding southwesterly along the boundary of the state of Iowa until it intersects the south boundary of Camanche township, then proceeding first westerly, then in a clockwise manner along the boundary of Camanche township until it intersects the west corporate limit of the city of Camanche, then proceeding first east, then in a clockwise manner along the corporate limits of the city of Camanche to the point of origin.
In Scott county, Butler, Le Claire, Lincoln, and Princeton townships, that portion of Allens Grove township lying outside the corporate limits of the cities of Dixon and Donahue, and that portion of Winfield township lying outside the corporate limits of the city of Long Grove.
The ninety-eighth representative district in Clinton county shall consist of:
The cities of Clinton and Low Moor.
Center, Deep Creek, Elk River, Hampshire, and Waterford townships, and those portions of Camanche township not contained in the ninety-seventh representative district.
The ninety-ninth representative district in Dubuque county shall consist of:
Those portions of Center, Dubuque, and Table Mound townships, and the city of Dubuque, bounded by a line commencing at the point the north corporate limit of the city of Dubuque intersects John F. Kennedy road, then proceeding southerly along John F. Kennedy road until it intersects Sunset Park circle, then proceeding southwesterly along Sunset Park circle until it intersects Meggan street, then proceeding west along Meggan street until it intersects Bonson road, then proceeding south along Bonson road until it intersects Kaufmann avenue, then proceeding easterly along Kaufmann avenue until it intersects Chaney road, then proceeding southerly along Chaney road until it intersects Asbury road, then proceeding southeasterly along Asbury road until it intersects Rosedale avenue, then proceeding east along Rosedale avenue until it intersects North Grandview avenue, then proceeding first east, then southerly along North Grandview avenue until it intersects Loras boulevard, then proceeding easterly along Loras boulevard until it intersects Bluff street, then proceeding southerly along Bluff street until it intersects West Eleventh street, then proceeding easterly along West Eleventh street until it intersects Locust street, then proceeding southerly along Locust street until it intersects West Tenth street, then proceeding westerly along West Tenth street until it intersects Bluff street, then proceeding southerly along Bluff street until it intersects Jones street, then proceeding easterly along Jones street and its extension until it intersects Locust street, then proceeding easterly along Jones street and its extension until it intersects Main street, then proceeding southerly along Main street until it intersects Jones street, then proceeding easterly along Jones street until it intersects Terminal street, then proceeding southerly along Terminal street until it intersects Dodge street, then proceeding easterly along Dodge street and the Julien Dubuque bridge until it intersects the corporate limits of the city of Dubuque, then proceeding first south, then in a clockwise manner along the corporate limits of the city of Dubuque until it intersects the east boundary of Table Mound township, then proceeding south along the boundary of Table Mound township until it intersects the corporate limits of the city of Dubuque, then proceeding first south, then in a clockwise manner along the corporate limits of the city of Dubuque until it intersects the south boundary of Dubuque township, then proceeding west along the south boundary of Dubuque township until it intersects the corporate limits of the city of Dubuque, then proceeding first west, then in a clockwise manner along the corporate limits of the city of Dubuque until it intersects the west boundary of Dubuque township, then proceeding north along the west boundary of Dubuque township until it intersects the corporate limits of the city of Dubuque, then proceeding first north, then in a clockwise manner along the corporate limits of the city of Dubuque to the point of origin.
That portion of Center township lying outside the corporate limits of the city of Asbury and the city of Dubuque and not contained in the fifty-seventh representative district.
The one hundredth representative district in Dubuque county shall consist of:
That portion of Dubuque township not contained in the fifty-seventh or ninety-ninth representative district.
That portion of the city of Dubuque bounded by a line commencing at the point the north corporate limit of the city of Dubuque intersects John F. Kennedy road, then proceeding southerly along John F. Kennedy road until it intersects Sunset Park circle, then proceeding southwesterly along Sunset Park circle until it intersects Meggan street, then proceeding west along Meggan street until it intersects Bonson road, then proceeding south along Bonson road until it intersects Kaufmann avenue, then proceeding easterly along Kaufmann avenue until it intersects Chaney road, then proceeding southerly along Chaney road until it intersects Asbury road, then proceeding southeasterly along Asbury road until it intersects Rosedale avenue, then proceeding east along Rosedale avenue until it intersects North Grandview avenue, then proceeding first east, then southerly along North Grandview avenue until it intersects Loras boulevard, then proceeding easterly along Loras boulevard until it intersects Bluff street, then proceeding southerly along Bluff street until it intersects West Eleventh street, then proceeding easterly along West Eleventh street until it intersects Locust street, then proceeding southerly along Locust street until it intersects West Tenth street, then proceeding westerly along West Tenth street until it intersects Bluff street, then proceeding southerly along Bluff street until it intersects Jones street, then proceeding easterly along Jones street and its extension until it intersects Locust street, then proceeding easterly along Jones street and its extension until it intersects Main street, then proceeding southerly along Main street until it intersects Jones street, then proceeding easterly along Jones street until it intersects Terminal street, then proceeding southerly along Terminal street until it intersects Dodge street, then proceeding easterly along Dodge street and the Julien Dubuque bridge until it intersects the corporate limits of the city of Dubuque, then proceeding first north, then in a counterclockwise manner along the corporate limits of the city of Dubuque to the point of origin.

41.2 Senate districts.

The state of Iowa is hereby divided into fifty senatorial districts, each composed of two of the representative districts established by section 41.1, as follows:

The first senatorial district shall consist of the first and second representative districts.
The second senatorial district shall consist of the third and fourth representative districts.
The third senatorial district shall consist of the fifth and sixth representative districts.
The fourth senatorial district shall consist of the seventh and eighth representative districts.
The fifth senatorial district shall consist of the ninth and tenth representative districts.
The sixth senatorial district shall consist of the eleventh and twelfth representative districts.
The seventh senatorial district shall consist of the thirteenth and fourteenth representative districts.
The eighth senatorial district shall consist of the fifteenth and sixteenth representative districts.
The ninth senatorial district shall consist of the seventeenth and eighteenth representative districts.
The tenth senatorial district shall consist of the nineteenth and twentieth representative districts.
The eleventh senatorial district shall consist of the twenty-first and twenty-second representative districts.
The twelfth senatorial district shall consist of the twenty-third and twenty-fourth representative districts.
The thirteenth senatorial district shall consist of the twenty-fifth and twenty-sixth representative districts.
The fourteenth senatorial district shall consist of the twenty-seventh and twenty-eighth representative districts.
The fifteenth senatorial district shall consist of the twenty-ninth and thirtieth representative districts.
The sixteenth senatorial district shall consist of the thirty-first and thirty-second representative districts.
The seventeenth senatorial district shall consist of the thirty-third and thirty-fourth representative districts.
The eighteenth senatorial district shall consist of the thirty-fifth and thirty-sixth representative districts.
The nineteenth senatorial district shall consist of the thirty-seventh and thirty-eighth representative districts.
The twentieth senatorial district shall consist of the thirty-ninth and fortieth representative districts.
The twenty-first senatorial district shall consist of the forty-first and forty-second representative districts.
The twenty-second senatorial district shall consist of the forty-third and forty-fourth representative districts.
The twenty-third senatorial district shall consist of the forty-fifth and forty-sixth representative districts.
The twenty-fourth senatorial district shall consist of the forty-seventh and forty-eighth representative districts.
The twenty-fifth senatorial district shall consist of the forty-ninth and fiftieth representative districts.
The twenty-sixth senatorial district shall consist of the fifty-first and fifty-second representative districts.
The twenty-seventh senatorial district shall consist of the fifty-third and fifty-fourth representative districts.
The twenty-eighth senatorial district shall consist of the fifty-fifth and fifty-sixth representative districts.
The twenty-ninth senatorial district shall consist of the fifty-seventh and fifty-eighth representative districts.
The thirtieth senatorial district shall consist of the fifty-ninth and sixtieth representative districts.
The thirty-first senatorial district shall consist of the sixty-first and sixty-second representative districts.
The thirty-second senatorial district shall consist of the sixty-third and sixty-fourth representative districts.
The thirty-third senatorial district shall consist of the sixty-fifth and sixty-sixth representative districts.
The thirty-fourth senatorial district shall consist of the sixty-seventh and sixty-eighth representative districts.
The thirty-fifth senatorial district shall consist of the sixty-ninth and seventieth representative districts.
The thirty-sixth senatorial district shall consist of the seventy-first and seventy-second representative districts.
The thirty-seventh senatorial district shall consist of the seventy-third and seventy-fourth representative districts.
The thirty-eighth senatorial district shall consist of the seventy-fifth and seventy-sixth representative districts.
The thirty-ninth senatorial district shall consist of the seventy-seventh and seventy-eighth representative districts.
The fortieth senatorial district shall consist of the seventy-ninth and eightieth representative districts.
The forty-first senatorial district shall consist of the eighty-first and eighty-second representative districts.
The forty-second senatorial district shall consist of the eighty-third and eighty-fourth representative districts.
The forty-third senatorial district shall consist of the eighty-fifth and eighty-sixth representative districts.
The forty-fourth senatorial district shall consist of the eighty-seventh and eighty-eighth representative districts.
The forty-fifth senatorial district shall consist of the eighty-ninth and ninetieth representative districts.
The forty-sixth senatorial district shall consist of the ninety-first and ninety-second representative districts.
The forty-seventh senatorial district shall consist of the ninety-third and ninety-fourth representative districts.
The forty-eighth senatorial district shall consist of the ninety-fifth and ninety-sixth representative districts.
The forty-ninth senatorial district shall consist of the ninety-seventh and ninety-eighth representative districts.
The fiftieth senatorial district shall consist of the ninety-ninth and one hundredth representative districts.

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Title II – Chapter 42

CHAPTER 42 – REDISTRICTING GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS

42.1 Definitions.

As used in this chapter, unless the context requires otherwise:

“Chief election officer” means the state commissioner of elections as defined by section 47.1.
“Commission” means the temporary redistricting advisory commission established pursuant to this chapter.
“Federal census” means the decennial census required by federal law to be conducted by the United States bureau of the census in every year ending in zero.
“Four selecting authorities” means:
The majority floor leader of the state senate.
The minority floor leader of the state senate.
The majority floor leader of the state house of representatives.
The minority floor leader of the state house of representatives.
“Partisan public office” means:
An elective or appointive office in the executive or legislative branch or in an independent establishment of the federal government.
An elective office in the executive or legislative branch of the government of this state, or an office which is filled by appointment and is exempt from the merit system under section 8A.412.
An office of a county, city or other political subdivision of this state which is filled by an election process involving nomination and election of candidates on a partisan basis.
“Plan” means a plan for legislative and congressional reapportionment drawn up pursuant to the requirements of this chapter.
“Political party office” means an elective office in the national or state organization of a political party, as defined by section 43.2.
“Relative” means an individual who is related to the person in question as father, mother, son, daughter, brother, sister, uncle, aunt, first cousin, nephew, niece, husband, wife, grandfather, grandmother, father-in-law, mother-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, stepfather, stepmother, stepson, stepdaughter, stepbrother, stepsister, half brother or half sister.

42.2 Preparations for redistricting.

The legislative services agency shall acquire appropriate information, review and evaluate available facilities, and develop programs and procedures in preparation for drawing congressional and legislative redistricting plans on the basis of each federal census. Funds shall be expended for the purchase or lease of equipment and materials only with prior approval of the legislative council.
By December 31 of each year ending in zero, the legislative services agency shall obtain from the United States bureau of the census information regarding geographic and political units in this state for which federal census population data has been gathered and will be tabulated. The legislative services agency shall use the data so obtained to:
Prepare necessary descriptions of geographic and political units for which census data will be reported, and which are suitable for use as components of legislative districts.
Prepare maps of counties, cities and other geographic units within the state, which may be used to illustrate the locations of legislative district boundaries proposed in plans drawn in accordance with section 42.4.
As soon as possible after January 1 of each year ending in one, the legislative services agency shall obtain from the United States bureau of the census the population data needed for legislative districting which the census bureau is required to provide this state under United States Pub. L. No. 94-171, and shall use that data to assign a population figure based upon certified federal census data to each geographic or political unit described pursuant to subsection 2, paragraph “a”. Upon completing that task, the legislative services agency shall begin the preparation of congressional and legislative districting plans as required by section 42.3.
Upon each delivery by the legislative services agency to the general assembly of a bill embodying a plan, pursuant to section 42.3, the legislative services agency shall at the earliest feasible time make available to the public the following information:
Copies of the bill delivered by the legislative services agency to the general assembly.
Maps illustrating the plan.
A summary of the standards prescribed by section 42.4 for development of the plan.
A statement of the population of each district included in the plan, and the relative deviation of each district population from the ideal district population.

42.3 Timetable for preparation of plan.

a. Not later than April 1 of each year ending in one, the legislative services agency shall deliver to the secretary of the senate and the chief clerk of the house of representatives identical bills embodying a plan of legislative and congressional districting prepared in accordance with section 42.4. It is the intent of this chapter that the general assembly shall bring the bill to a vote in either the senate or the house of representatives expeditiously, but not less than three days after the report of the commission required by section 42.6 is received and made available to the members of the general assembly, under a procedure or rule permitting no amendments except those of a purely corrective nature. It is further the intent of this chapter that if the bill is approved by the first house in which it is considered, it shall expeditiously be brought to a vote in the second house under a similar procedure or rule. If the bill embodying the plan submitted by the legislative services agency under this subsection fails to be approved by a constitutional majority in either the senate or the house of representatives, the secretary of the senate or the chief clerk of the house, as the case may be, shall at once, but in no event later than seven days after the date the bill failed to be approved, transmit to the legislative services agency information which the senate or house may direct by resolution regarding reasons why the plan was not approved.
However, if the population data for legislative districting which the United States census bureau is required to provide this state under Pub. L. No. 94-171 and, if used by the legislative services agency, the corresponding topologically integrated geographic encoding and referencing data file for that population data are not available to the legislative services agency on or before February 15 of the year ending in one, the dates set forth in paragraph “a” shall be extended by a number of days equal to the number of days after February 15 of the year ending in one that the federal census population data and the topologically integrated geographic encoding and referencing data file for legislative districting become available.
If the bill embodying the plan submitted by the legislative services agency under subsection 1 fails to be enacted, the legislative services agency shall prepare a bill embodying a second plan of legislative and congressional districting. The bill shall be prepared in accordance with section 42.4, and, insofar as it is possible to do so within the requirements of section 42.4, with the reasons cited by the senate or house of representatives by resolution, or the governor by veto message, for the failure to approve the plan. If a second plan is required under this subsection, the bill embodying it shall be delivered to the secretary of the senate and the chief clerk of the house of representatives not later than thirty-five days after the date of the vote by which the senate or the house of representatives fails to approve the bill submitted under subsection 1, or the date the governor vetoes or fails to approve the bill. If it is necessary to submit a bill under this subsection, the bill shall be brought to a vote not less than seven days after the bill is submitted and made available to the members of the general assembly, under a procedure or rule permitting no amendments except those of a purely corrective nature. It is further the intent of this chapter that if the bill is approved by the first house in which it is considered, it shall expeditiously be brought to a vote in the second house under a similar procedure or rule. If the bill embodying the plan submitted by the legislative services agency under this subsection fails to be approved by a constitutional majority in either the senate or the house of representatives, the secretary of the senate or the chief clerk of the house, as the case may be, shall transmit to the legislative services agency in the same manner as described in subsection 1, information which the senate or house may direct by resolution regarding reasons why the plan was not approved.
If the bill embodying the plan submitted by the legislative services agency under subsection 2 fails to be enacted, the same procedure as prescribed by subsection 2 shall be followed. If a third plan is required under this subsection, the bill embodying it shall be delivered to the secretary of the senate and the chief clerk of the house of representatives not later than thirty-five days after the date of the vote by which the senate or the house of representatives fails to approve the bill submitted under subsection 2, or the date the governor vetoes or fails to approve the bill. The legislative services agency shall submit a bill under this subsection sufficiently in advance of September 1 of the year ending in one to permit the general assembly to consider the plan prior to that date. If it is necessary to submit a bill under this subsection, the bill shall be brought to a vote within the same time period after its delivery to the secretary of the senate and the chief clerk of the house of representatives as is prescribed for the bill submitted under subsection 2, but shall be subject to amendment in the same manner as other bills.

42.4 Redistricting standards.

Legislative and congressional districts shall be established on the basis of population.
Senatorial and representative districts, respectively, shall each have a population as nearly equal as practicable to the ideal population for such districts, determined by dividing the number of districts to be established into the population of the state reported in the federal decennial census. Senatorial districts and representative districts shall not vary in population from the respective ideal district populations except as necessary to comply with one of the other standards enumerated in this section. In no case shall the quotient, obtained by dividing the total of the absolute values of the deviations of all district populations from the applicable ideal district population by the number of districts established, exceed one percent of the applicable ideal district population. No senatorial district shall have a population which exceeds that of any other senatorial district by more than five percent, and no representative district shall have a population which exceeds that of any other representative district by more than five percent.
Congressional districts shall each have a population as nearly equal as practicable to the ideal district population, derived as prescribed in paragraph “a” of this subsection. No congressional district shall have a population which varies by more than one percent from the applicable ideal district population, except as necessary to comply with Article III, section 37 of the Constitution of the State of Iowa.
If a challenge is filed with the supreme court alleging excessive population variance among districts established in a plan adopted by the general assembly, the general assembly has the burden of justifying any variance in excess of one percent between the population of a district and the applicable ideal district population.
To the extent consistent with subsection 1, district boundaries shall coincide with the boundaries of political subdivisions of the state. The number of counties and cities divided among more than one district shall be as small as possible. When there is a choice between dividing local political subdivisions, the more populous subdivisions shall be divided before the less populous, but this statement does not apply to a legislative district boundary drawn along a county line which passes through a city that lies in more than one county.
Districts shall be composed of convenient contiguous territory. Areas which meet only at the points of adjoining corners are not contiguous.
Districts shall be reasonably compact in form, to the extent consistent with the standards established by subsections 1, 2, and 3. In general, reasonably compact districts are those which are square, rectangular, or hexagonal in shape, and not irregularly shaped, to the extent permitted by natural or political boundaries. If it is necessary to compare the relative compactness of two or more districts, or of two or more alternative districting plans, the tests prescribed by paragraphs “a” and “b” shall be used.
Length-width compactness. The compactness of a district is greatest when the length of the district and the width of the district are equal. The measure of a district’s compactness is the absolute value of the difference between the length and the width of the district. In general, the length-width compactness of a district is calculated by measuring the distance from the northernmost point or portion of the boundary of a district to the southernmost point or portion of the boundary of the same district and the distance from the westernmost point or portion of the boundary of the district to the easternmost point or portion of the boundary of the same district. The absolute values computed for individual districts under this paragraph may be cumulated for all districts in a plan in order to compare the overall compactness of two or more alternative districting plans for the state, or for a portion of the state.
Perimeter compactness. The compactness of a district is greatest when the distance needed to traverse the perimeter boundary of a district is as short as possible. The total perimeter distance computed for individual districts under this paragraph may be cumulated for all districts in a plan in order to compare the overall compactness of two or more alternative districting plans for the state, or for a portion of the state.
No district shall be drawn for the purpose of favoring a political party, incumbent legislator or member of Congress, or other person or group, or for the purpose of augmenting or diluting the voting strength of a language or racial minority group. In establishing districts, no use shall be made of any of the following data:
Addresses of incumbent legislators or members of Congress.
Political affiliations of registered voters.
Previous election results.
Demographic information, other than population head counts, except as required by the Constitution and the laws of the United States.
In order to minimize electoral confusion and to facilitate communication within state legislative districts, each plan drawn under this section shall provide that each representative district is wholly included within a single senatorial district and that, so far as possible, each representative and each senatorial district shall be included within a single congressional district. However, the standards established by subsections 1 through 5 shall take precedence where a conflict arises between these standards and the requirement, so far as possible, of including a senatorial or representative district within a single congressional district.
Each bill embodying a plan drawn under this section shall provide that any vacancy in the general assembly which takes office in the year ending in one, occurring at a time which makes it necessary to fill the vacancy at a special election held pursuant to section 69.14, shall be filled from the same district which elected the senator or representative whose seat is vacant.
Each bill embodying a plan drawn under this section shall include provisions for election of senators to the general assemblies which take office in the years ending in three and five, which shall be in conformity with Article III, section 6, of the Constitution of the State of Iowa. With respect to any plan drawn for consideration in a year ending in one, those provisions shall be substantially as follows:
Each senatorial district in the plan which is not a holdover senatorial district shall elect a senator in the year ending in two for a four-year term commencing in January of the year ending in three. If an incumbent senator who was elected to a four-year term which commenced in January of the year ending in one, or was subsequently elected to fill a vacancy in such a term, is residing in a senatorial district in the plan which is not a holdover senatorial district on the first Wednesday in February of the year ending in two, that senator’s term of office shall be terminated on January 1 of the year ending in three.
Each holdover senatorial district in the plan shall elect a senator in the year ending in four for a four-year term commencing in January of the year ending in five.

(1) If one and only one incumbent state senator is residing in a holdover senatorial district in the plan on the first Wednesday in February of the year ending in two, and that senator meets all of the following requirements, the senator shall represent the district in the senate for the general assembly commencing in January of the year ending in three:

(a) The senator was elected to a four-year term which commenced in January of the year ending in one or was subsequently elected to fill a vacancy in such a term.

(b) The senatorial district in the plan which includes the place of residence of the state senator on the date of the senator’s last election to the senate is the same as the holdover senatorial district in which the senator resides on the first Wednesday in February of the year ending in two, or is contiguous to such holdover senatorial district. Areas which meet only at the points of adjoining corners are not contiguous.

(2) Each holdover senatorial district to which subparagraph (1) is not applicable shall elect a senator in the year ending in two for a two-year term commencing in January of the year ending in three. However, if more than one incumbent state senator is residing in a holdover senatorial district on the first Wednesday in February of the year ending in two, and, on or before the third Wednesday in February of the year ending in two, all but one of the incumbent senators resigns from office effective no later than January of the year ending in three, the remaining incumbent senator shall represent the district in the senate for the general assembly commencing in January of the year ending in three. A copy of each resignation must be filed in the office of the secretary of state no later than 5:00 p.m. on the third Wednesday in February of the year ending in two.

For purposes of this subsection:

(1) “Holdover senatorial district” means a senatorial district in the plan which is numbered with an even or odd number in the same manner as senatorial districts, which were required to elect a senator in the year ending in zero, were numbered.

(2) “Incumbent state senator” means a state senator who holds the office of state senator on the first Wednesday in February of the year ending in two, and whose declared residence on that day is within the district from which the senator was last elected.

The secretary of state shall prescribe a form to be completed by all senators to declare their residences as of the first Wednesday in February of the year ending in two. The form shall be filed with the secretary of state no later than 5:00 p.m. on the first Wednesday in February of the year ending in two.

42.5 Temporary redistricting advisory commission.

Not later than February 15 of each year ending in one, a five member temporary redistricting advisory commission shall be established as provided by this section. The commission’s only functions shall be those prescribed by section 42.6.
Each of the four selecting authorities shall certify to the chief election officer the authority’s appointment of a person to serve on the commission. The certifications may be made at any time after the majority and minority floor leaders have been selected for the general assembly which takes office in the year ending in one, even though that general assembly’s term of office has not actually begun.
Within thirty days after the four selecting authorities have certified their respective appointments to the commission, but in no event later than February 15 of the year ending in one, the four commission members so appointed shall select, by a vote of at least three members, and certify to the chief election officer the fifth commission member, who shall serve as chairperson.
A vacancy on the commission shall be filled by the initial selecting authority within fifteen days after the vacancy occurs.
Members of the commission shall receive a per diem as specified in section 7E.6, travel expenses at the rate provided by section 70A.9, and reimbursement for other necessary expenses incurred in performing their duties under this section and section 42.6. The per diem and expenses shall be paid from funds appropriated by section 2.12.
No person shall be appointed to the commission who:
Is not an eligible elector of the state at the time of selection.
Holds partisan public office or political party office.
Is a relative of or is employed by a member of the general assembly or of the United States Congress, or is employed directly by the general assembly or by the United States Congress.

42.6 Duties of commission.

The functions of the commission shall be as follows:

If, in preparation of plans as required by this chapter, the legislative services agency is confronted with the necessity to make any decision for which no clearly applicable guideline is provided by section 42.4, the legislative services agency may submit a written request for direction to the commission.
Prior to delivering any plan and the bill embodying that plan to the secretary of the senate and the chief clerk of the house of representatives in accordance with section 42.3, the legislative services agency shall provide to persons outside the legislative services agency staff only such information regarding the plan as may be required by policies agreed upon by the commission. This subsection does not apply to population data furnished to the legislative services agency by the United States bureau of the census.
Upon the delivery by the legislative services agency to the general assembly of a bill embodying an initial plan, as required by section 42.3, subsection 1, the commission shall:
As expeditiously as reasonably possible, schedule and conduct at least three public hearings, in different geographic regions of the state, on the plan embodied in the bill delivered by the legislative services agency to the general assembly.
Following the hearings, promptly prepare and submit to the secretary of the senate and the chief clerk of the house a report summarizing information and testimony received by the commission in the course of the hearings. The commission’s report shall include any comments and conclusions which its members deem appropriate on the information and testimony received at the hearings, or otherwise presented to the commission. The report shall be submitted no later than fourteen days after the date the bill embodying an initial plan of congressional and legislative redistricting is delivered to the general assembly.

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Title II – Chapter 43

CHAPTER 43 – PARTISAN NOMINATIONS — PRIMARY ELECTION

43.1 Primary election construed.

The primary election required by this chapter shall be construed to be an election by the members of various political parties for the purpose of placing in nomination candidates for public office.

43.2 Definitions.

As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:

“Book”, “list”, “record”, or “schedule” kept by a county auditor, assessor, treasurer, recorder, sheriff, or other county officer means the county system as defined in section 445.1.
a. “Political party” shall mean a party which, at the last preceding general election, 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. It shall be the responsibility of the state commissioner to determine whether any organization claiming to be a political party qualifies as such under the foregoing definition.
A political organization which is not a “political party” within the meaning of this subsection may nominate candidates and have the names of such candidates placed upon the official ballot by proceeding under chapters 44 and 45.

43.3 Offices affected by primary.

Candidates of all political parties for all offices which are filled at a regular biennial election by direct vote of the people shall be nominated at a primary election at the time and in the manner hereinafter directed.

43.4 Political party precinct caucuses.

Delegates to county conventions of political parties and party committee members shall be elected at precinct caucuses held not later than the fourth Monday in February of each even-numbered year. The date shall be at least eight days earlier than the scheduled date for any meeting, caucus, or primary which constitutes the first determining stage of the presidential nominating process in any other state, territory, or any other group which has the authority to select delegates in the presidential nomination. The state central committees of the political parties shall set the date for their caucuses. The county chairperson of each political party shall issue the call for the caucuses. The county chairperson shall file with the commissioner the meeting place of each precinct caucus at least seven days prior to the date of holding the caucus.
There shall be selected among those present at a precinct caucus a chairperson and a secretary who shall within seven days certify to the county central committee the names of those elected as party committee members and delegates to the county convention.
When the rules of a political party require the selection and reporting of delegates selected as part of the presidential nominating process, or the rules of a political party require the tabulation and reporting of the number of persons attending the caucus favoring each presidential candidate, it is the duty of a person designated as provided by the rules of that political party to report the results of the precinct caucus as directed by the state central committee of that political party. When the person designated to report the results of the precinct caucus reports the results, representatives of each candidate, if they so choose, may accompany the person as the results are being reported to assure that an accurate report of the proceedings is reported. If ballots are used at the precinct caucus, representatives of each candidate or other persons attending the precinct caucus may observe the tabulation of the results of the balloting.
Within sixty days after the date of the caucus the county central committee shall certify to the county commissioner the names of those elected as party committee members and delegates to the county convention. The commissioner shall retain precinct caucus records for twenty-two months. In addition, within fourteen days after the date of the precinct caucus, the chairperson of the county central committee shall deliver to the county commissioner all completed voter registration forms received at the caucus.
The central committee of each political party shall notify the delegates and committee members so elected and certified of their election and of the time and place of holding the county convention. Such conventions shall be held either preceding or following the primary election but no later than ten days following the primary election and shall be held on the same day throughout the state.

43.5 Applicable statutes.

The provisions of chapters 39, 39A, 47, 48A, 49, 50, 52, 53, 57, 58, 59, 61, 62, 68A, and 722 shall apply, so far as applicable, to all primary elections, except as hereinafter provided.

43.6 Nomination of U.S. senators, state and county officers.

Candidates for the office of senator in the Congress of the United States, the offices listed in section 39.9, county supervisor, and the offices listed in section 39.17 shall be nominated in the year preceding the expiration of the term of office of the incumbent.

When a vacancy occurs in the office of senator in the Congress of the United States, secretary of state, auditor of state, treasurer of state, secretary of agriculture, or attorney general and section 69.13 requires that the vacancy be filled for the balance of the unexpired term at a general election, candidates for the office shall be nominated in the preceding primary election if the vacancy occurs eighty-nine or more days before the date of that primary election. If the vacancy occurs less than one hundred four days before the date of that primary election, the state commissioner shall accept nomination papers for that office only until 5:00 p.m. on the seventy-fourth day before the primary election, the provisions of section 43.11 notwithstanding. If the vacancy occurs later than eighty-nine days before the date of that primary election, but not less than eighty-one days before the date of the general election, the nominations shall be made in the manner prescribed by this chapter for filling vacancies in nominations for offices to be voted for at the general election.
When a vacancy occurs in the office of county supervisor or any of the offices listed in section 39.17 and more than seventy days remain in the term of office following the next general election, the office shall be filled for the balance of the unexpired term at that general election unless the vacancy has been filled by a special election called more than seventy-three days before the primary election. If the vacancy occurs more than seventy-three days before the primary election, political party candidates for that office at the next general election shall be nominated at the primary election. If an appointment to fill the vacancy in office is made eighty-eight or more days before the primary election and a petition requesting a special election has not been received within fourteen days after the appointment is made, candidates for the office shall be nominated at the primary election.

43.7 Time of holding.

The primary election by all political parties shall be held at the usual voting places of the several precincts on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in June in each even-numbered year.

43.8 State commissioner to furnish blanks.

The state commissioner shall, at state expense, furnish blank nomination papers, in the form provided in this chapter, to any eligible elector who desires to petition for the nomination of any candidate, or to any person who intends to be a candidate, for any office for which nomination papers are required to be filed in the state commissioner’s office.

43.9 Commissioner to furnish blanks.

The commissioner shall, at county expense, perform the duty specified in section 43.8, as to all offices for which nomination papers are required to be filed in the commissioner’s office.

43.10 Blanks furnished by others.

Blank nomination papers which are in form substantially as provided by this chapter may be used even though not furnished by the state commissioner or commissioner.

43.11 Filing of nomination papers.

Nomination papers in behalf of a candidate shall be filed:

For an elective county office, in the office of the county commissioner not earlier than ninety-two days nor later than 5:00 p.m. on the sixty-ninth day before the day fixed for holding the primary election.
For United States senator, for an elective state office, for representative in Congress, and for member of the general assembly, in the office of the state commissioner not earlier than ninety-nine days nor later than 5:00 p.m. on the eighty-first day before the day fixed for holding the primary election.

43.12 Noting time of filing.

The officer receiving nomination papers for filing shall endorse thereon the day, and time of day, of filing.

43.13 Failure to file nomination papers.

The name of a candidate for any office named in section 43.11 shall not be printed on the official primary ballot of the candidate’s party unless nomination papers are filed as therein provided except as otherwise permitted by section 43.23.

43.14 Form of nomination papers.

1. Nomination papers shall include a petition and an affidavit of candidacy. All nomination petitions shall be eight and one-half by eleven inches in size and in substantially the form prescribed by the state commissioner of elections. They shall include or provide spaces for the following information:

a. A statement identifying the signers of the petition as eligible electors of the appropriate county or legislative district and of the state.

b. The name of the candidate nominated by the petition.

c. For nomination petitions for candidates for the general assembly, a statement that the residence of the candidate is within the appropriate legislative district, or if that is not true, that the candidate will reside there within sixty days before the election. For other offices, a statement of the name of the county where the candidate resides.

d. The political party with which the candidate is a registered voter.

e. The office sought by the candidate, including the district number, if any.

f. The date of the primary election for which the candidate is nominated.

g. The printed name, signature, address, and phone number of the person responsible for circulating the petition page.

a. Signatures on a petition page shall be counted only if the information required in subsection 1 is written or printed at the top of the page.

b. Nomination papers on behalf of candidates for seats in the general assembly need only designate the number of the senatorial or representative district, as appropriate, and not the county or counties, in which the candidate and the petitioners reside.

c. A signature line shall not be counted if the line lacks the signature of the eligible elector and the signer’s residential address, with street and number, if any, and city. A signature line shall not be counted if an eligible elector supplies only a partial address or a post office box address, or if the signer’s address is obviously outside the boundaries of the district.

d. A signature line shall not be counted if any of the required information is crossed out or redacted at the time the nomination papers are filed with the state commissioner or commissioner.

3. The person examining the petition shall mark any deficiencies on the petition and affidavit. Signed nomination petitions and the signed and notarized affidavit of candidacy shall not be altered to correct deficiencies noted during examination. If the nomination petition lacks a sufficient number of acceptable signatures, the nomination petition shall be rejected and shall be returned to the candidate.

4. The nomination papers shall be rejected if the affidavit lacks any of the following:

a. The candidate’s name.

b. The name of the office sought, including the district, if any.

c. The political party name.

d. The signature of the candidate.

e. The signature of a notary public under chapter 9B or other officer empowered to witness oaths.

f. Any other information required by section 43.18.

5. The candidate may replace a deficient affidavit with a corrected affidavit only if the replacement affidavit is filed before the filing deadline. The candidate may resubmit a nomination petition that has been rejected by adding a sufficient number of pages or signatures to correct the deficiency. A nomination petition and affidavit filed to replace rejected nomination papers shall be filed together before the deadline for filing.

43.15 Requirements in signing.

The following requirements shall be observed in the signing and preparation of nomination blanks:

1. A signer may sign nomination papers for more than one candidate for the same office, and the signature is not invalid solely because the signer signed nomination papers for one or more other candidates for the office.

2. Each signer shall add the signer’s residential address, with street and number, if any, and the date of signing.

3. All signers, for all nominations, of each separate part of a nomination paper, shall reside in the same county, representative or senatorial district for members of the general assembly. In counties where the supervisors are elected from districts, signers of nomination petitions for supervisor candidates shall reside in the supervisor district the candidate seeks to represent.

4. When more than one sheet is used, the sheets shall be neatly arranged and securely fastened together before filing, and shall be considered one nomination petition.

5. Only one candidate shall be petitioned for or nominated in the same nomination paper.

43.16 Filed nomination papers — returns and additions not allowed — withdrawal.

After a nomination paper has been filed, it shall not be returned to the person who has filed the paper, nor shall any signature or other information be added to the nomination paper.
a. A person who has filed nomination petitions with the state commissioner may withdraw as a candidate not later than the seventy-sixth day before the primary election by notifying the state commissioner in writing.
A person who has filed nomination papers with the commissioner may withdraw as a candidate not later than the sixty-seventh day before the primary election by notifying the commissioner in writing.
The name of a candidate who has withdrawn or died on or before the final day to withdraw as a candidate for that office shall be omitted from the certificate furnished by the state commissioner under section 43.22 and omitted from the primary election ballot.

43.17 Reserved.

43.18 Affidavit of candidacy.

Each candidate shall complete and file a signed, notarized affidavit of candidacy. The affidavit shall be in the form prescribed by the secretary of state and shall include the following information:

The candidate’s name in the form the candidate wants it to appear on the ballot.
The candidate’s home address.
The name of the county in which the candidate resides.
The political party with which the candidate is registered to vote.
The office sought by the candidate, and the district the candidate seeks to represent, if any.
A declaration that if the candidate is nominated and elected the candidate will qualify by taking the oath of office.
A statement that the candidate is aware that the candidate is required to organize a candidate’s committee which shall file an organization statement and disclosure reports if the committee or the candidate receives contributions, makes expenditures, or incurs indebtedness in excess of the reporting threshold in section 68A.102, subsection 5. This subsection shall not apply to candidates for federal office.
A statement that the candidate is aware of the prohibition in section 43.20 against being a candidate for more than one office appearing on the primary election ballot.
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.

43.19 Manner of filing affidavit.

The affidavit provided in section 43.18 shall be filed with the nomination papers when such papers are required; otherwise alone.

43.20 Signatures required — more than one office prohibited.

1. Nomination papers shall be signed by eligible electors as follows:

a. If for governor, or United States senator, by at least one percent of the voters of the candidate’s party, in each of at least ten counties of the state, and in the aggregate by not less than one-half of one percent of the total vote of the candidate’s party in the state, as shown by the last general election.

b. If for any other state office, by at least fifty signatures in each of at least ten counties of the state, and in the aggregate by not less than one thousand signatures.

c. If for a representative in Congress, in districts composed of more than one county, by at least two percent of the voters of the candidate’s party, as shown by the last general election, in each of at least one-half of the counties of the district, and in the aggregate by not less than one percent of the total vote of the candidate’s party in such district, as shown by the last general election. If for a representative in the general assembly, by not less than fifty voters of the representative district; and if for a senator in the general assembly, by not less than one hundred voters of the senatorial district.

d. If for an office to be filled by the voters of the county or for the office of county supervisor elected from a district within the county, by at least two percent of the party vote in the county or supervisor district, as shown by the last general election, or by at least one hundred persons, whichever is less.

2. In each of the cases described in subsection 1, the vote to be taken for the purpose of computing the percentage shall be the vote cast for president of the United States or for governor, as the case may be.

3. No candidate for public office shall cause nomination papers to remain filed in the office of the state commissioner or the commissioner on the last day for filing nomination papers, for more than one office to be filled at the primary election.

4. Any candidate for public office, to be voted for at a primary election, who has filed nomination papers for more than one office shall, not later than the final date for filing, notify the state commissioner or the commissioner by affidavit, for which office the person elects to be a candidate, which in no case shall be more than one. In the event no such election is made by such date by the candidate, the state commissioner shall not certify the person’s name to be placed on the ballot for any office nor shall the commissioner place the person’s name on the ballot in any county.

43.21 Township office. Repealed by 2005 Acts, ch 152, §10.

43.22 Nominations certified.

The state commissioner shall, at least sixty-nine days before a primary election, or as soon as practicable if an objection under section 43.24 is pending, furnish to the commissioner of each county a certificate under the state commissioner’s hand and seal, which certificate shall show:

1. The name and post office address of each person for whom a nomination paper has been filed in the state commissioner’s office, and for whom the voters of said county have the right to vote at said election.

2. The office for which such person is a candidate.

3. The political party from which such person seeks a nomination.

43.23 Death or withdrawal of primary candidate.

If a person who has filed nomination papers with the state commissioner as a candidate in a primary election dies or withdraws up to the seventy-sixth day before the primary election, the appropriate convention or central committee of that person’s political party may designate one additional primary election candidate for the nomination that person was seeking, if the designation is submitted to the state commissioner in writing by 5:00 p.m. on the seventy-first day before the date of the primary election. The name of any candidate so submitted shall be included in the appropriate certificate or certificates furnished by the state commissioner under section 43.22.
If a person who has filed nomination papers with the commissioner as a candidate in a primary election dies or withdraws up to the sixty-seventh day before the primary election, the appropriate convention or central committee of that person’s political party may designate one additional primary election candidate for the nomination that person was seeking, if the designation is submitted to the commissioner in writing by 5:00 p.m. on the sixty-third day before the primary election. The name of any candidate so submitted shall be placed on the appropriate ballot or ballots by the commissioner.

43.24 Objections to nomination petitions or certificates of nomination.

1. Written objections required. Nomination petitions or certificates of nomination filed under this chapter which are apparently in conformity with the law are valid unless objection is made in writing.

a. Objections to the legal sufficiency of a nomination petition or certificate of nomination filed or issued under this chapter or to the eligibility of a candidate may be filed in writing by any person who would have the right to vote for the candidate for the office in question.

b. Objections shall be filed with the officer with whom the nomination petition or certificate of nomination was filed, and within the following time:

(1) Those filed with the state commissioner, not less than seventy-four days before the date of the election, or for certificates of nomination filed under section 43.23, not less than seventy days before the date of the election.

(2) Those filed with the commissioner, not less than sixty-four days before the date of the election, or for certificates of nomination filed under section 43.23, not less than sixty-two days before the date of the election.

(3) Objections to nominations to fill vacancies at a special election held under section 69.14, under which the forty-day notice of election provision applies, shall be filed with the state commissioner not less than fifteen days prior to the date set for the special election. If the forty-day notice provision does not apply, objections to nominations to fill vacancies at a special election held under section 69.14 may be filed any time prior to the date set for the special election.

(4) Those filed with the city clerk under this chapter, at least thirty-six days before the city primary election.

2. Notice of objections.

a. When objections have been filed, notice shall be mailed within seventy-two hours by certified mail to the candidate affected, addressed to the candidate’s place of residence as stated in the candidate’s affidavit of candidacy or in the certificate of nomination, stating that objections have been made, the nature of the objections, and the time and place the objections will be considered.

b. If an objection is filed to a nomination to fill a vacancy at a special election held under section 69.14, under which the forty-day notice of election provision of section 69.14 does not apply, notice of the objection shall be made to the candidate by the state commissioner as soon as practicable. Under this paragraph, failure to notify a candidate of an objection to the candidate’s nomination prior to the date set for the special election does not invalidate the hearing conducted under subsection 3. The hearing to an objection shall proceed as quickly as possible to expedite the special election.

3. Hearing.

a. Objections filed with the state commissioner shall be considered by the secretary of state, auditor of state, and attorney general. However, if the objection is to the nomination petition, certificate of nomination, or eligibility of one or more of those officers, those officers shall be replaced, respectively, by the treasurer of state, secretary of agriculture, and lieutenant governor for the hearing.

b. Objections filed with the commissioner shall be considered by three elected county officers whose eligibility is not in question. The chairperson of the board of supervisors shall appoint the three elected officers unless the chairperson is ineligible, in which case, the appointments shall be made by the county auditor. In either case, a majority vote shall decide the issue.

c. Objections filed with the city clerk shall be considered by the mayor and clerk and one member of the council chosen by the council by ballot, and a majority decision shall be final; but if the objection is to the certificate of nomination of either of those city officials, that official shall not pass upon said objection, but that official’s place shall be filled by a member of the council against whom no objection exists, chosen as above.

43.25 Correction of errors.

The commissioner shall correct any errors or omissions in the names of candidates and any other errors brought to the commissioner’s knowledge before the printing of the ballots.

43.26 Ballot — form. Repealed by 2009 Acts, ch 57, §96. See §43.31.

43.27 Printing of ballots.

The text printed on ballots of each political party shall be in black ink, on separate sheets of paper, uniform in quality, texture, and size, with the name of the political party printed at the head of the ballots, which ballots shall be prepared by the commissioner in the same manner as for the general election, except as provided in this chapter. The commissioner may print the ballots for each political party using a different color for each party. If colored paper is used, all of the ballots for each separate party shall be uniform in color.

43.28 Names of candidates — arrangement.

The names of all candidates for offices shall be arranged and printed upon the primary election ballots under the direction of the commissioner. If there are more candidates for nomination by a political party to an office than the number of persons to be elected to that office at the general election, the names of the candidates of that party for that nomination shall be rotated on the primary election ballot by the commissioner in the manner prescribed by section 49.31.

43.29 Form of name on ballot.

The name of a candidate printed on the ballot shall not include parentheses, quotation marks, or any personal or professional title.

43.30 Sample ballots.

1. The commissioner shall prepare sample ballots for each political party. The sample ballots shall be clearly marked as sample ballots and shall be delivered to the precinct election officials for posting in the polling place pursuant to section 49.71, subsection 2.

2. The commissioner shall make sample ballots available to the public upon request. The sample ballots shall be clearly marked as sample ballots. A reasonable fee may be charged for printing costs if a person requests multiple copies of sample ballots. The commissioner shall not distribute sample ballots except as provided in this subsection.

43.31 Form of official ballot — implementation by rule.

The state commissioner shall adopt rules in accordance with chapter 17A to implement sections 43.27 through 43.30, section 43.36, sections 49.30 through 49.33, sections 49.36 through 49.41, section 49.57, and any other provision of the law prescribing the form of the official ballot.

43.36 Australian ballot.

The Australian ballot system as now used in this state, except as herein modified, shall be used at said primary election. The endorsement of the precinct election officials and the county seal shall appear upon the ballots as provided for general elections.

43.37 Number of votes permitted per office.

The elector shall be permitted to vote for no more candidates for any office than there are persons to be elected to the office. If an elector votes for more persons for any office than the number permitted, the elector’s ballot shall not be counted for that office.

43.38 Voter confined to party ticket.

The elector shall be allowed to vote for candidates for nomination on the ballot of the party with which the elector is registered as affiliated, and shall receive no other ballot. The voter shall mark and return the ballot in the manner provided in section 49.84.

43.39 Ballot for another party’s candidate.

If any primary elector writes upon the elector’s ticket the name of any person who is a candidate for the same office upon some other party ticket than that upon which the candidate’s name shall be so written, such ballot shall be so counted for such person only as a candidate of the party upon whose ballot the candidate’s name is written, and shall in no case be counted for such person as a candidate upon any other ticket.

43.40 Reserved.

43.41 Change or declaration of party affiliation before primary.

Any registered voter who desires to change or declare a political party affiliation may, before the close of registration for the primary election, file a written declaration stating the change of party affiliation with the county commissioner of registration who shall enter a notation of such change on the registration records.

43.42 Change or declaration of party affiliation at polls.

Any registered voter may change or declare a party affiliation at the polls on election day and shall be entitled to vote at any primary election. Each voter doing so shall indicate the voter’s change or declaration of party affiliation on the voter’s declaration of eligibility affidavit.

Each change or declaration of a registered voter’s party affiliation so received shall be reported by the precinct election officials to the county commissioner of registration who shall enter a notation of the change on the registration records.

43.43 Voter’s declaration of eligibility.

Each person voting at a primary election shall sign a declaration of eligibility which shall be in substantially the following form:

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 registered voter. I have not voted and will not vote in any other precinct in this election.

I am affiliated with the …………………… party. If my current voter registration record indicates another party affiliation or no party affiliation, I swear or affirm that I have in good faith changed my previously declared party affiliation, or declared my party affiliation, and now desire to be a member of the party indicated above.

……………………………….

Signature of voter

……………………………….

Address

(……..)……………………..

Telephone (optional)

Approved:

………………………………

Election board member

………………….

Date

43.45 Canvass of votes.

Upon the closing of the polls the precinct election officials shall immediately publicly canvass the vote. The canvass shall be conducted using the procedures established in this section which are appropriate for the voting system used in the precinct.
In precincts where optical scan voting systems are used and ballots are counted in the precinct, precinct election officials shall do all of the following:
Close and secure the ballot reader to prevent the insertion of additional ballots.
Print the results for the precinct.
Open the ballot container. Secure all ballots counted by the vote-tabulating device. Sort the remaining ballots by party. Tally all write-in votes and any other ballots not yet counted. Record the results in the tally list.
Put all ballots in an envelope or other package and seal it. All members of the board shall sign their names across the seal of the envelope. The seal shall be placed so that the envelope or package cannot be opened without breaking the seal.
Notwithstanding any requirement to the contrary in subsection 1 and subsection 2, paragraph “c”, the commissioner of a county using digital ballot counting technology may direct the precinct election officials to tally and record write-in votes at the precincts after the closing of the polls or may direct the precinct election officials to print the write-in report containing digital images of write-in votes for delivery to the special precinct board to tally and record the write-in votes on any day following election day and prior to the canvass by the board of supervisors under section 43.49. For the purposes of this subsection “digital ballot counting technology” is technology in which digital images of write-in votes are printed by the precinct election officials at the polling place after the close of voting.

43.46 Delivering returns.

The precinct election officials shall deliver all election supplies, by noon of the day after the close of the polls, to the commissioner who shall carefully preserve them and deliver the returns in the condition in which received except as is otherwise required by sections 50.20 to 50.22, to the county board of supervisors.

43.47 Messenger sent for returns.

If the returns from any precinct are not delivered as provided in section 43.46, the commissioner shall forthwith send a messenger for the missing returns, and the messenger shall be paid as provided by section 50.47 for such services.

43.48 Precinct counts publicly available.

The commissioner shall make available to the public the precinct counts produced by the voting equipment.

43.49 Canvass by county board.

On the Monday or Tuesday following the primary election, the board of supervisors shall meet, open, and canvass the returns from each voting precinct in the county, and make abstracts thereof, stating the following:
The number of ballots cast in the county in each precinct by each political party, separately, for each office.
The name of each person voted for and the number of votes given to each person for each different office.
The votes of all write-in candidates who each received less than five percent of the votes cast for an office reported collectively under the heading “scattering”.
If the day designated by this section for the canvass is a public holiday, the provisions of section 4.1, subsection 34, shall apply.

43.50 Signing and filing of abstract.

The members of the board shall sign said abstracts and certify to the correctness thereof, and file the same with the commissioner.

43.51 Finality of canvass.

Such canvass and certificate shall be final as to all candidates for nomination to any elective county office or office of a subdivision of a county.

43.52 Nominees for county office.

a. The nominee of each political party for any office to be filled by the voters of the entire county, or for the office of county supervisor elected from a district within the county, shall be the person receiving the highest number of votes cast in the primary election by the voters of that party for the office, and that person shall appear as the party’s candidate for the office on the general election ballot.
If no candidate receives thirty-five percent or more of the votes cast by voters of the candidate’s party for the office sought, the primary is inconclusive and the nomination shall be made as provided by section 43.78, subsection 1, paragraphs “d” and “e”.
When two or more nominees are required, as in the case of at-large elections, the nominees shall likewise be the required number of persons who receive the greatest number of votes cast in the primary election by the voters of the nominating party, but no candidate is nominated who fails to receive thirty-five percent of the number of votes found by dividing the number of votes cast by voters of the candidate’s party for the office in question by the number of persons to be elected to that office. If the primary is inconclusive under this subsection, the necessary number of nominations shall be made as provided by section 43.78, subsection 1, paragraphs “d” and “e”.

43.53 Nominees for subdivision office — write-in candidates.

The nominee of each political party for any office to be filled by the voters of any political subdivision within the county shall be the person receiving the highest number of votes cast in the primary election by the voters of that party for the office. That person shall appear as the party’s candidate for the office on the general election ballot. A person whose name is not printed on the official primary ballot shall not be declared nominated as a candidate for such office in the general election unless that person receives at least five votes. Nomination of a candidate for the office of county supervisor elected from a district within the county shall be governed by section 43.52 and not by this section.

43.54 Right to place on ballot.

Each candidate nominated pursuant to section 43.53 is entitled to have the candidate’s name printed on the official ballot to be voted for at the general election if the candidate files an affidavit in the form required by section 43.67 not later than 5:00 p.m. on the seventh day following the completion of the canvass.

43.55 Nominee certified.

The board of supervisors shall separately prepare and certify a list of the candidates of each party so nominated. It shall deliver to the chairperson of each party central committee for the county a copy of the list of candidates nominated by that party; and shall also certify and deliver to the chairperson a list of the offices to be filled by the voters of the county for which no candidate of that party was nominated, together with the names of all of the candidates for each of these offices who were voted for at the primary election and the number of votes received by each of such candidates.

43.56 Primary election recount provisions.

Recounts of votes for primary elections shall be conducted following the procedure outlined in section 50.48. However, if a recount is requested for an office for which no candidate has received the required thirty-five percent to be nominated, the recount board shall consist of the following persons:
One person chosen by the candidate requesting the recount, who shall be named in the request.
One person chosen by the candidate who received the highest number of votes for the nomination being recounted. However, if the candidate who requested the recount received more votes than anyone else for the nomination, the candidate who received the second highest number of votes shall designate this person to serve on the recount board.
A third person mutually agreeable to the board members designated by the candidates.
A bond is not necessary for a primary election recount under these circumstances if the difference between the number of votes needed to be nominated and the number of votes received by the candidate requesting the recount is less than fifty votes or one percent of the total number of votes cast for the nomination in question, whichever is greater. If a bond is required, the bond shall be in the amount specified in section 50.48, subsection 2.

43.59 Number of voters certified.

The commissioner shall certify to the state commissioner the total number of people who voted in the primary election in each political party.

43.60 Abstracts to state commissioner.

The county board of supervisors shall also make a separate abstract of the canvass as to the following offices and certify to the same and forthwith forward it to the state commissioner, viz.:

United States senator.
All state offices.
United States representative.
Senators and representatives in the general assembly.

43.61 Returns filed and abstracts preserved.

When the canvass is concluded, the board shall deliver the original returns to the commissioner, who shall file the same and preserve each of the abstracts mentioned in section 43.60, pursuant to section 50.19.

43.62 Publication of proceedings.

The published proceedings of the board of supervisors relative to the canvass shall be confined to a brief statement of:

The names of the candidates nominated by the electors of the county or subdivision thereof and the offices for which they are so nominated.
The offices for which no nomination was made by a political party participating in the primary, because of the failure of the candidate to receive the legally required number of votes cast by the party for such office.

43.63 Canvass by state board.

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 preceding general election, 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, 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.

2. Not later than the twenty-seventh day after the primary election, the secretary of state shall present to the state board of canvassers abstracts showing the number of ballots cast by each political party for each office and a summary of the results for each office, showing the votes cast in each county. The state board of canvassers shall review the results compiled by the secretary of state and, if the results are accurately tabulated, the state board shall approve the canvass.

43.64 State canvass conclusive.

The canvass and certificates by the state board of canvassers shall be final as to all candidates named therein.

43.65 Who nominated.

The candidate of each political party for nomination for each office to be filled by the voters of the entire state, and for each seat in the United States house of representatives, the Iowa house of representatives and each seat in the Iowa senate which is to be filled, who receives the highest number of votes cast by the voters of that party for that nomination shall be the candidate of that party for that office in the general election. However, if there are more than two candidates for any nomination and none of the candidates receives thirty-five percent or more of the votes cast by voters of that party for that nomination, the primary is inconclusive and the nomination shall be made as provided by section 43.78, subsection 1, paragraph “a”, “b” or “c”, whichever is appropriate.

43.66 Write-in candidates.

The fact that the candidate who receives the highest number of votes cast for any party’s nomination for an office to which section 43.52 or 43.65 is applicable is a person whose name was not printed on the official primary election ballot shall not affect the validity of the person’s nomination as a candidate for that office in the general election. However, if there is no candidate on the official primary ballot of a political party for nomination to a particular office, a write-in candidate may obtain the party’s nomination to that office in the primary if the candidate receives a number of votes equal to at least thirty-five percent of the total vote cast for all of that party’s candidates for that office in the last preceding primary election for which the party had candidates on the ballot for that office. If there have been no candidates from a political party for a seat in the general assembly since the most recent redistricting of the general assembly, a write-in candidate shall be considered nominated who receives a number of votes equal to at least thirty-five percent of the total votes cast, at the last preceding primary election in the precincts which currently constitute the general assembly district, for all of that party’s candidates for representative in the Congress of the United States or who receives at least one hundred votes, whichever number is greater. When two or more nominees are required, the division procedure prescribed in section 43.52 shall be applied to establish the minimum number of write-in votes necessary for nomination. If the primary is inconclusive, the necessary nominations shall be made in accordance with section 43.78, subsection 1.

43.67 Nominee’s right to place on ballot.

Each candidate nominated pursuant to section 43.52 or 43.65 is entitled to have the candidate’s name printed on the official ballot to be voted at the general election without other certificate unless the candidate was nominated by write-in votes. Immediately after the completion of the canvass held under section 43.49, the county auditor shall notify each person who was nominated by write-in votes for a county office that the person is required to file an affidavit of candidacy if the person wishes to be a candidate for that office at the general election. Immediately after the completion of the canvass held under section 43.63, the secretary of state shall notify each person who was nominated by write-in votes for a state or federal office that the person is required to file an affidavit of candidacy if the person wishes to be a candidate for that office at the general election. If the affidavit is not filed by 5:00 p.m. on the seventh day after the completion of the canvass, that person’s name shall not be placed upon the official general election ballot. The affidavit shall be signed by the candidate, notarized, and filed with the county auditor or the secretary of state, whichever is applicable.
The affidavit shall be in the form prescribed by the secretary of state. The affidavit shall include the following information:
The candidate’s name in the form the candidate wants it to appear on the ballot.
The candidate’s home address.
The name of the county in which the candidate resides.
The political party by which the candidate was nominated.
The office sought by the candidate, and the district the candidate seeks to represent, if any.
A declaration that if the candidate is elected the candidate will qualify by taking the oath of office.
A statement that the candidate is aware that the candidate is required to organize a candidate’s committee which shall file an organization statement and disclosure reports if the committee or the candidate receives contributions, makes expenditures, or incurs indebtedness in excess of the reporting threshold in section 68A.102, subsection 5. This subsection shall not apply to candidates for federal office.
A statement that the candidate is aware of the prohibition in section 49.41 against being a candidate for more than one office to be filled at the same election, except county agricultural extension council and soil and water conservation district commission.
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.

43.68 Certified list of nominees.

The state board of canvassers shall prepare and certify separate lists of the candidates nominated by each party, as shown by the state canvass, and deliver to the chairperson of each party central committee for the state a copy of the list of candidates nominated by the party which said chairperson represents.

43.69 Certificates in case of failure to nominate.

Said state board shall, at once after completing its canvass, prepare separate certificates for each political party as to each office for which no candidate was nominated by such party. Such certificates shall show the names of the several candidates for each of these offices who were voted for at the primary election and the number of votes received by each of said candidates. These certificates shall be sent to the respective chairpersons of the state central committee of each political party.

43.70 Reserved.

43.71 Messenger sent for abstracts.

If returns of abstracts have not been received by the state canvassing board from all the counties by the time fixed for the state canvass, the state commissioner shall immediately send a messenger after the missing abstracts, and the board may adjourn from time to time until the abstracts are received.

43.72 State returns filed and preserved.

When the canvass is concluded, the board shall deliver the original abstract returns to the state commissioner, who shall file the returns in the state commissioner’s office and preserve the abstracts of the canvass of the state board and certificates attached thereto. The commissioner may preserve the abstracts and certificates attached thereto in an electronic format.

43.73 State commissioner to certify nominees.

Not less than sixty-four days before the general election the state commissioner shall certify to each commissioner, under separate party headings, the name of each person nominated as shown by the official canvass made by the executive council, or as certified to the state commissioner by the proper persons when any person has been nominated by a convention or by a party committee, or by petition, the office to which the person is nominated, and the order in which federal and state offices, judges, constitutional amendments, and state public measures shall appear on the official ballot.
The state commissioner shall similarly certify to the appropriate commissioner or commissioners at the earliest practicable time the names of nominees for a special election, called under section 69.14, submitted to the state commissioner pursuant to section 43.78, subsection 4.

43.74 Reserved.

43.75 Tie vote.

In case of a tie vote resulting in no nomination for any office, the tie shall forthwith be determined by lot by the board of canvassers.

43.76 Withdrawal of nominated candidates.

A candidate nominated in a primary election for any office for which nomination papers are required to be filed with the state commissioner may withdraw as a nominee for that office on or before, but not later than, the eighty-first day before the date of the general election by so notifying the state commissioner in writing.
A candidate nominated in a primary election for any office for which nomination papers are required to be filed with the commissioner may withdraw as a nominee for that office on or before, but not later than, the seventy-fourth day before the date of the general election by so notifying the commissioner in writing.

43.77 What constitutes a ballot vacancy.

A vacancy on the general election ballot exists when any political party lacks a candidate for an office to be filled at the general election because:

No person filed under section 43.11 as a candidate for the party’s nomination for that office in the primary election, or all persons who filed under section 43.11 as candidates for the party’s nomination for that office in the primary election subsequently withdrew as candidates, were found to lack the requisite qualifications for the office or died before the date of the primary election, and no candidate received a sufficient number of write-in votes to be nominated.
The primary election was inconclusive as to that office because no candidate for the party’s nomination for that office received the number of votes required by section 43.52, 43.53, or 43.65, whichever is applicable.
The person nominated in the primary election as the party’s candidate for that office subsequently withdrew as permitted by section 43.76, was found to lack the requisite qualifications for the office, or died, at a time not later than the eighty-first day before the date of the general election in the case of an office for which nomination papers must be filed with the state commissioner and not later than the seventy-fourth day before the date of the general election in the case of an office for which nomination papers must be filed with the county commissioner.
A vacancy has occurred in the office of senator in the Congress of the United States, secretary of state, auditor of state, treasurer of state, secretary of agriculture, or attorney general, under the circumstances described in section 69.13, less than eighty-nine days before the primary election and not less than eighty-nine days before the general election.
A vacancy has occurred in the office of county supervisor or in any of the offices listed in section 39.17 and the term of office has more than seventy days remaining after the date of the next general election and one of the following circumstances applies:
The vacancy occurred during the period beginning seventy-three days before the primary election and ending on the date of the primary election and no special election was called to fill the vacancy.
The vacancy occurred after the date of the primary election and more than seventy-three days before the general election.

43.78 Filling ballot vacancies — withdrawal.

A vacancy on the general election ballot may be filled by the political party in whose ticket the vacancy exists, as follows:
For senator in the Congress of the United States or any office listed in section 39.9, by the party’s state convention, which may be reconvened by the state party chairperson if the vacancy occurs after the convention has been held or too late to be filled at the time it is held. However, a vacancy so occurring with respect to the offices of secretary of state, auditor of state, treasurer of state or secretary of agriculture may be filled by the party’s state central committee in lieu of reconvening the state convention.
For representative in the Congress of the United States, by the party’s congressional district convention, which may be convened or reconvened as appropriate by the state party chairperson.
For senator or representative in the general assembly, by the party precinct committee members whose precincts lie within the senatorial or representative district involved, who shall be convened or reconvened as appropriate by the state party chairperson. The party’s state constitution or bylaws may allow the voting strength of each precinct represented at such a convention to be made proportionate to the vote cast for the party’s candidate for the office in question in the respective precincts at the last general election for that office.
For any office to be filled by the voters of an entire county, by the party’s county convention, which may be reconvened by the county party chairperson if the vacancy occurs after the convention has been held or too late to be filled at the time it is held.
For the office of county supervisor elected by the voters of a district within the county, by the delegates to the party’s county convention who represent the precincts lying within that district, who shall be convened or reconvened as appropriate by the county party chairperson.
For any other partisan office filled by the voters of a subdivision of a county, by those members of the party’s county central committee who represent the precincts lying within that district, who shall be convened or reconvened as appropriate by the county party chairperson. However, this paragraph shall not apply to partisan city offices in special charter cities for which candidates are nominated under this chapter, but such ballot vacancies shall be filled as provided by section 43.116.
The name of any candidate designated to fill a vacancy on the general election ballot in accordance with subsection 1, paragraph “a”, “b”, or “c” shall be submitted in writing to the state commissioner not later than 5:00 p.m. on the seventy-third day before the date of the general election.
The name of any candidate designated to fill a vacancy on the general election ballot in accordance with subsection 1, paragraph “d”, “e”, or “f” shall be submitted in writing to the commissioner not later than 5:00 p.m. on the sixty-ninth day before the date of the general election.
Political party candidates for a vacant seat in the United States house of representatives, the board of supervisors, the elected county offices, or the general assembly which is to be filled at a special election called pursuant to section 69.14 or 69.14A shall be nominated in the manner provided by subsection 1 of this section for filling a vacancy on the general election ballot for the same office. The name of a candidate so nominated shall be submitted in writing to the appropriate commissioner, as required by section 43.88, at the earliest practicable time.
Any candidate nominated to fill a vacancy in accordance with this section may withdraw the candidate’s nomination by a written request filed as follows:
In the office of the state commissioner, at least seventy-four days before the date of the election.
In the office of the proper commissioner, at least sixty-four days before the date of the election.
In the office of the state commissioner, in case of a special election to fill vacancies in Congress or the general assembly, not more than:

(1) Twenty days after the date on which the governor issues the call for a special election to be held on at least forty days’ notice.

(2) Five days after the date on which the governor issues the call for a special election to be held on at least ten but less than forty days’ notice.

In the office of the proper commissioner or the state commissioner, as applicable, in case of a special election to fill vacancies, at least twenty-five days before the day of election.

43.79 Death of candidate after time for withdrawal.

The death of a candidate nominated as provided by law for any office to be filled at a general election, during the period beginning on the eighty-first day before the general election, in the case of any candidate whose nomination papers were filed with the state commissioner, or beginning on the seventy-third day before the general election, in the case of any candidate whose nomination papers were filed with the commissioner, and ending on the last day before the general election shall not operate to remove the deceased candidate’s name from the general election ballot. If the deceased candidate was seeking the office of senator or representative in the Congress of the United States, governor, attorney general, senator or representative in the general assembly or county supervisor, section 49.58 shall control. If the deceased candidate was seeking any other office, and as a result of the candidate’s death a vacancy is subsequently found to exist, the vacancy shall be filled as provided by chapter 69.

43.80 Vacancies in nominations of presidential electors.

Vacancies in nominations of presidential electors shall be filled by the party central committee for the state. The party central committee may at any time nominate alternate presidential electors to serve if the nominated or elected presidential electors are for any reason unable to perform their duties.

43.83 Vacancies in office of U.S. representative.

A candidate to be voted on at a special election occasioned by a vacancy in the office of United States representative, shall be nominated by a convention duly called by the district central committee not less than twenty-five days prior to the date set for the special election.

43.84 Reserved.

43.85 County convention reconvened.

When a nomination is directed to be made by a district convention composed of more than one county, and the county convention in any county of the district has adjourned without selecting delegates to such convention, the county convention shall be reconvened for the purpose of making such selection.

43.88 Certification of nominations.

Nominations made by state, district, and county conventions, shall, under the name, place of residence, and post office address of the nominee, and the office to which nominated, and the name of the political party making the nomination, be forthwith certified to the proper officer by the chairperson and secretary of the convention, or by the committee, as the case may be, and if such certificate is received in time, the names of such nominees shall be printed on the official ballot the same as if the nomination had been made in the primary election.
Nominations made to fill vacancies at a special election shall be certified to the proper official not less than twenty-five days prior to the date set for the special election. In the event the special election is to fill a vacancy in the general assembly while it is in session or within forty-five days of the convening of any session, the nomination shall be certified not less than fourteen days before the date of the special election.
Nominations certified to the proper official under this section shall be accompanied by an affidavit executed by the nominee in substantially the form required by section 43.67.

43.89 Reserved.

43.90 Delegates.

The county convention shall be composed of delegates elected at the last preceding precinct caucus. Delegates shall be persons who are or will by the date of the next general election become eligible electors and who are residents of the precinct. The number of delegates from each voting precinct shall be determined by a ratio adopted by the respective party county central committees, and a statement designating the number from each voting precinct in the county shall be filed by such committee not later than the time the list of precinct caucus meeting places required by section 43.4 is filed in the office of the commissioner. If the required statement is not filed, the commissioner shall fix the number of delegates from each voting precinct.

43.91 Voter at caucus must be precinct resident.

Any person voting at a precinct caucus must be a person who is or will by the date of the next general election become an eligible elector, who has not already participated in the caucus of any political party within the same year, and who is a resident of the precinct. A list of the names and addresses of each person to whom a ballot was delivered or who was allowed to vote in each precinct caucus shall be prepared by the caucus chairperson and secretary who shall certify such list to the commissioner at the same time as the names of those elected as delegates and party committee members are so certified

43.92 Date of caucus published.

The date, time, and place of each precinct caucus of a political party shall be published at least twice in at least one newspaper of general circulation in the precinct. The first publication shall be made not more than fifteen days nor less than seven days before the date of the caucus and the second shall be made not more than seven days before and not later than the date of the caucus. Such publication shall also state in substance that each voter affiliated with the specified political party may attend the precinct caucus. Publication in a news item or advertisement in such newspaper shall constitute publication for the purposes of this section. The cost of such publication, if any, shall be paid by the political party.

43.93 Place of holding caucus.

Each precinct caucus shall be held in a building which is publicly owned or is suitable for and from time to time made available for holding public meetings wherever it is possible to do so. Upon the application of the county chairperson, the person having control of a building supported by taxation under the laws of this state shall make available the space necessary to conduct the caucus without charge during presidential election years and at a charge not greater than that made for its use by other groups during other years. When using public buildings, the county chairpersons shall cooperate to attempt the collocation of the caucuses.

43.94 Term of office of delegates.

The term of office of delegates to the county convention shall begin on the day following their election at the precinct caucus, and shall continue for two years and until their successors are elected.

43.95 Calling convention to order.

When the delegates, or a majority thereof, or when delegates representing a majority of the precincts, thus elected, shall have assembled in the county convention, the convention shall be called to order by the chairperson of the county central committee, who shall present the certified list of delegates and members of the county central committee. If the convention is being held after the primary election, the chairperson shall also present a list of the offices for which no nomination was made at the primary election by reason of the failure of any candidate for any such office to receive the legally required number of votes cast by such party therefor.

43.96 Proxies prohibited.

If any precinct shall not be fully represented the delegates present from such precinct shall cast the full vote thereof, if the rules of the convention, party bylaws or constitution so permit, and there shall be no proxies.

43.97 Duties performable by county convention.

The said county convention shall:

Make nominations to fill vacancies on the general election ballot as provided by law.
Transact such other business as required or permitted by the political party’s state constitution or bylaws, or the rules of the convention.
Elect delegates to the next ensuing regular state convention and to all district conventions of that year upon such ratio of representation as may be determined by the party organization for the state, district or districts of the state, as the case may be. Delegates to district conventions need not be selected in the absence of any apparent reason therefor. Delegates shall be persons who are or will by the date of the next general election become eligible electors and who are residents of the county.

43.98 Reserved.

43.99 Party committee persons.

Two members of the county central committee for each political party shall, at the precinct caucuses, be elected from each precinct. The term of office of a member shall begin at the time specified by the party’s state constitution or bylaws and shall continue for two years and until a successor is elected and qualified, unless sooner removed by the county central committee for inattention to duty or incompetency. The party’s state constitution or bylaws may permit the election of additional central committee members from each precinct in a number proportionate to the vote cast for the party’s candidates for office in the respective precincts at preceding general elections.

43.100 Central committee — duties.

The county central committee shall elect the officers of the committee. Each member shall be given written notice at least five days in advance of the time and place of any meeting scheduled for the election of officers.
Every county central committee shall adopt a constitution and bylaws which shall govern the committee’s operation. A copy of the constitution and bylaws so adopted shall be kept on file at the office of the commissioner for the county in which the central committee exists and at the office of the state commissioner. Amendments to a county central committee’s constitution or bylaws shall upon adoption be filed in the same manner as the original documents.
Vacancies in such committee may be filled by majority vote of the committee, or at a precinct caucus called pursuant to the party’s state constitution or bylaws.

43.101 County central committee officers.

The county central committee shall elect a chair, co-chair, secretary, treasurer, and other officers as it may determine. The term of office of an officer begins at the time specified by the party’s state constitution or bylaws and continues for two years and until the officer’s successor is elected and qualified, unless the officer dies, resigns or is sooner removed by the county central committee for inattention to duty or incompetency.

43.102 District conventions.

Each political party may hold a congressional district convention upon the call of the state party chairperson to:

Elect or nominate members of the party’s state central committee.
Make nominations to fill vacancies on the general election ballot as provided by law.
Transact such other business as required or permitted by the party’s state constitution or bylaws, or the rules of the convention.

43.103 Duty of county commissioner.

The commissioner, in case the district delegates for the commissioner’s county have not been selected, shall deliver a copy of said call to the chairperson of the convention which selects said delegates.

43.104 Organization of district convention.

The organization of a district convention and the procedure therein shall be substantially the same as in the state convention.

43.105 and 43.106Reserved.

43.107 State convention.

Each political party shall hold a state convention either preceding or following the primary election. The state central committee of each political party shall designate the time and place of the state convention, which shall transact such business as is required or permitted by the party’s state constitution or bylaws or by the rules of the convention.

43.108 Organization of state convention — proxies prohibited.

The convention shall be called to order by the chairperson of the state central committee, or that individual’s designee who shall thereupon present a list of delegates, as certified by the various county conventions, and effect a temporary organization. If any county shall not be fully represented, the delegates present from such county shall cast the full vote thereof if the rules of the convention, party bylaws or constitution so allow, and there shall be no proxies.

43.109 Nominations authorized.

The state convention may make nominations to fill vacancies on the general election ballot as provided by law.

43.110 Reserved.

43.111 State party platform, constitution, bylaws, and central committee.

The state convention held by each political party pursuant to section 43.107 shall adopt a state platform, adopt or amend a state party constitution, and bylaws if desired, and transact other business which may properly be brought before it. A copy of the constitution and any bylaws so adopted or amended shall be kept on file in the office of the state commissioner.
There shall be selected at or prior to each political party’s state convention a state party central committee consisting of an equal number of members from each congressional district, which number shall be determined by the party constitution or bylaws, who shall be elected or nominated by the district convention or caucus.
The state central committee so selected may organize at pleasure for political work as is usual and customary with such committees, adopt bylaws, provide for the governing of party auxiliary bodies, and shall continue to act until succeeded by another central committee selected as required by this section. The receipts and disbursements of each political party’s state party central committee shall be audited annually by a certified public accountant selected by the state party central committee and the audit report shall be filed with the state commissioner.

43.112 Nominations in certain cities.

This chapter shall, so far as applicable, govern the nominations of candidates by political parties for all offices to be filled by a direct vote of the people in cities acting under a special charter in 1973 and having a population of over fifty thousand, except all such cities as choose by special election to conduct nonpartisan city elections under the provisions of chapter 44, 45, or 376. An election on the question of conducting city elections in such a special charter city on a nonpartisan basis may be called by the city council on its own initiative, and shall be called by the council upon receipt of a petition of the voters which so requests and is presented in conformity with section 362.4, but a special election on that question shall be held concurrently with any election being held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of any odd-numbered year.

Sections 43.114 to 43.118 shall apply only to cities to which this chapter is made applicable by this section.

43.113 Reserved.

43.114 Time of holding special charter city primary.

In special charter cities holding a city primary election under the provisions of section 43.112 such primary shall be held on the first Tuesday in October of the year in which regular city elections are held.

43.115 Nomination papers — number of signers.

All candidates for nominations to be made in primary elections held pursuant to section 43.112 shall file nomination papers with the city clerk no later than 5:00 p.m. forty days before the date of the election as established by section 43.114, except that candidates for precinct committee member shall file affidavits of candidacy as required by section 420.130. The number of eligible electors signing petitions required for printing the name of a candidate upon the official primary ballot shall be one hundred for an office to be filled by the voters of the entire city and twenty-five for an office to be filled by the voters of a subdivision of the city.
A candidate for precinct committee member may also file as a candidate for one additional office, any statute to the contrary notwithstanding.
Objections to nomination petitions and certificates of nominations shall be filed and decided as provided in section 43.24.

43.116 Ballot vacancies in special charter city elections.

A vacancy on the ballot for an election at which city officers are to be chosen, and for which candidates have been nominated under this chapter, exists when any political party lacks a candidate for an office to be filled at that election because:
No person filed at the time required by section 43.115 as a candidate for the party’s nomination for that office in the city primary election held under section 43.112, or all persons who did so subsequently withdrew as candidates, were found to lack the requisite requirements for the office or died before the date of the city primary election, and no candidate received a number of write-in votes sufficient for nomination under section 43.53; or
The person nominated in the city primary election as the party’s candidate for that office withdrew by giving written notice to that effect to the city clerk not later than 5:00 p.m. on the day of the canvass of that city primary election.
A ballot vacancy as defined by this section may be filled by the city central committee of the party on whose ticket the vacancy exists or, in the case of an officer elected by the voters of a district within the city, by those members of the committee who represent the precincts lying within that district. The name of a candidate so designated to fill such a ballot vacancy shall be submitted in writing to the city clerk not later than 5:00 p.m. on the seventh day following the city primary election.
If a special election is held to fill a vacancy in an elective city office, nominations by political parties shall be made following the provisions of subsection 2.

43.117 Plurality vote nominates and elects.

A plurality shall nominate the party candidate for all offices filled by elections authorized by section 43.112, and a plurality shall elect the precinct committee members.

43.118 Expense.

The entire expense of conducting the city primary election and preparation of election registers shall be audited by the city council and paid by the city.

43.119 and 43.120Repealed by 2002 Acts, ch 1071, §15. See §39A.2 – 39A.4.

43.121 Nominations by petition or nonparty organizations.

This chapter shall not be construed to prohibit nomination of candidates for office by petition, or by nonparty organizations, as provided in chapters 44 and 45, but no person so nominated shall be permitted to use the name, or any part thereof, of any political party authorized or entitled under this chapter to nominate a ticket by primary vote, or that has nominated a ticket by primary vote under this chapter.

43.122 Reserved.

43.123 Nomination of lieutenant governor.

Notwithstanding this chapter and any other statute relating to the nomination of a person for the office of lieutenant governor, the nomination of a person for the office of lieutenant governor for the general election in the year 1990 and each four years thereafter shall be held at the state convention of the political party. The nomination of a person for the office of lieutenant governor by a nonparty political organization shall be the procedure specified in chapter 44.

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Title II – Chapter 44

CHAPTER 44 – NOMINATIONS BY NONPARTY POLITICAL ORGANIZATIONS

44.1 Political nonparty organizations.

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

44.2 Nominations certified.

Nominations made under section 44.1 shall be certified by the chairperson and secretary of the convention or caucus, who shall enter their place of residence opposite their signatures, and attach to said certificate their affidavit to the effect that the certificate is true.

44.3 Certificate.

The certificate required by section 44.2 shall state the following information:
The name of each candidate nominated.
The office to which each candidate is nominated.
The name of the political organization making such nomination, expressed in not more than five words.
The place of residence of each nominee, with the street or number thereof, if any.
In case of presidential candidates, the names and addresses of presidential electors shall be stated, and the names of the candidates for president and vice president shall be added to the name of the organization.
The name and address of each member of the organization’s executive or central committee.
The provisions, if any, made for filling vacancies in nominations.
The name and address of each delegate or voter in attendance at a convention or caucus where a nomination is made.
Each candidate nominated by the convention or caucus shall complete and file a signed, notarized affidavit of candidacy. The affidavit shall be in the form prescribed by the secretary of state. The affidavit shall include the following information:
The candidate’s name in the form the candidate wants it to appear on the ballot.
The candidate’s home address.
The name of the county in which the candidate resides.
The name of the political organization by which the candidate was nominated.
The office sought by the candidate, and the district the candidate seeks to represent, if any.
A declaration that if the candidate is elected the candidate will qualify by taking the oath of office.
A statement that the candidate is aware that the candidate is required to organize a candidate’s committee which shall file an organization statement and disclosure reports if the committee or the candidate receives contributions, makes expenditures, or incurs indebtedness in excess of the reporting threshold in section 68A.102, subsection 5. This subsection shall not apply to candidates for federal office.
A statement that the candidate is aware of the prohibition in section 49.41 against being a candidate for more than one office to be filled at the same election, except county agricultural extension council and soil and water conservation district commission.
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.

44.4 Nominations and objections — time and place of filing.

1. a. Nominations made pursuant to this chapter and chapter 45 which are required to be filed in the office of the 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.

2. a. Objections to the legal sufficiency of a certificate of nomination or nomination petition or to the eligibility of a candidate may be filed by any person who would have the right to vote for a candidate for the office in question. The objections must be filed with the officer with whom the certificate or petition is filed and within the following time:

(1) Those filed with the state commissioner, not less than sixty-eight days before the date of the election.

(2) Those filed with the commissioner, not less than sixty-four days before the date of the election, except as provided in subparagraph (3).

(3) Those filed with the commissioner for an elective city office, at least forty-two days before the regularly scheduled or special city election. However, for those cities that may be required to hold a primary election, at least sixty-three days before the regularly scheduled or special city election.

(4) In the case of nominations to fill vacancies occurring after the time when an original nomination for an office is required to be filed, objections shall be filed within three days after the filing of the certificate.

b. Objections shall be filed no later than 5:00 p.m. on the final date for filing.

44.5 Notice of objections.

When objections are filed, notice shall immediately be given to the affected candidate. The notice shall be addressed to the candidate’s place of residence as given in the certificate of nomination, stating that objections have been made to the certificate. The notice shall include the time and place of the hearing at which the objections will be considered. The hearing shall be held not later than one week after the objection is filed.

44.6 Hearing before state commissioner.

Objections filed with the state commissioner shall be considered by the secretary of state and auditor of state and attorney general, and a majority decision shall be final; but if the objection is to the certificate of nomination of one or more of the above named officers, said officer or officers so objected to shall not pass upon the same, but their places shall be filled, respectively, by the treasurer of state, the governor, and the secretary of agriculture.

44.7 Hearing before commissioner.

Except as otherwise provided in section 44.8, objections filed with the commissioner shall be considered by the county auditor, county treasurer, and county attorney, and a majority decision shall be final. However, if the objection is to the certificate of nomination of one or more of the above named county officers, the officer or officers objected to shall not pass upon the objection, but their places shall be filled, respectively, by the chairperson of the board of supervisors, the sheriff, and the county recorder.

44.8 Hearing before mayor.

Objections filed with the city clerk pursuant to section 362.4 or with the commissioner for an elective city office shall be considered by the mayor and clerk and one member of the council chosen by the council by ballot, and a majority decision shall be final. However, if the objection is to the certificate of nomination of either of those city officials, that official shall not pass upon the objection, but the official’s place shall be filled by a member of the council against whom no such objection exists, chosen as above provided.
The hearing shall be held within twenty-four hours of the receipt of the objection if a primary election must be held for the office sought by the candidate against whom the objection has been filed.

44.9 Withdrawals.

Any candidate named under this chapter may withdraw the candidate’s nomination by a written request filed as follows:

1. In the office of the state commissioner, at least sixty-eight days before the date of the election.

2. In the office of the appropriate commissioner, at least sixty-four days before the date of the election, except as otherwise provided in subsection 6.

3. In the office of the appropriate school board secretary, at least forty-two days before the day of a regularly scheduled school election.

4. In the office of the state commissioner, in case of a special election to fill vacancies in Congress or the general assembly, not more than:

a. Twenty days after the date on which the governor issues the call for a special election to be held on at least forty days’ notice.

b. Five days after the date on which the governor issues the call for a special election to be held on at least ten but less than forty days’ notice.

5. In the office of the appropriate commissioner or school board secretary in case of a special election to fill vacancies, at least twenty-five days before the day of election.

6. In the office of the appropriate commissioner, at least forty-two days before the regularly scheduled or special city election. However, for those cities that may be required to hold a primary election, at least sixty-three days before a regularly scheduled or special city election.

44.10 Effect of withdrawal.

No name so withdrawn shall be printed on the official ballot under such nomination.

44.11 Vacancies filled.

If a candidate named under this chapter withdraws before the deadline established in section 44.9, declines a nomination, or dies before election day, 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 sixty-eight days before the election in the case of nominations required to be filed with the state commissioner, not less than sixty-four 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.

44.12 Insufficient time for convention.

If the time is insufficient for again holding such convention or caucus, or in case no such previous provisions have been made, such vacancy shall be filled by the regularly elected or appointed executive or central committee of the particular division or district representing the political organization holding such convention, or caucus.

44.13 Certificates in matter of vacancies.

The certificates of nominations made to supply such vacancies shall state, in addition to the facts and candidate’s affidavit required in an original certificate, the name of the original nominee, the date of death or declination of nomination, or the fact that the former nomination has been held insufficient or inoperative, and the measures taken in accordance with the above requirements for filling a vacancy, and shall be signed and sworn to by the presiding officer and secretary of the convention, or caucus, or by the chairperson and secretary of the committee, as the case may be.

44.14 Filing of certificates.

Certificates of nominations made to fill vacancies, as required by section 44.13, shall be filed with the officer designated and at the time required by section 44.11.

44.15 Presumption of validity.

Certificates thus filed, and being apparently in conformity with law, shall be regarded as valid, unless objection in writing thereto shall be made, and, under proper regulations, shall be open to public inspection, and preserved by the receiving officer for not less than six months after the election is held.

44.16 Return of papers — additions not allowed.

After a nomination petition or certificate has been filed, it shall not be returned to the candidate or person who has filed the document, and no signature or other information shall be added to the nomination petition or certificate.

44.17 Nominations by petition.

1. In lieu of holding a caucus or convention, a nonparty political organization may nominate by petition pursuant to chapter 45 not more than one candidate for any partisan office to be filled at the general election.

2. The nonparty political organization may also file with the appropriate commissioner a list of the names and addresses of the organization’s central committee members, and the chairperson and secretary of the organization. The organization may also place on file a description of the method that the organization will follow to fill any vacancies resulting from the death, withdrawal, or disqualification of any of its candidates that were nominated by petition. If this information is filed before the close of the filing period for the general election, substitutions may be made pursuant to section 44.11.

44.18 Affiliation on voter registration form.

A nonparty political organization that nominated a candidate whose name appeared on the general election ballot for a federal office, for governor, or for any other statewide elective office in any of the preceding ten years may request registration of voters showing their affiliation with the nonparty political organization pursuant to this section.
The organization shall file the following documents with the state registrar of voters on or before December 1 of an even-numbered year:
A petition in the form prescribed by the registrar and signed by no fewer than eight hundred fifty eligible electors residing in at least five counties in the state. The petition shall include the official name of the organization; the organization’s name as the organization requests it to appear on the voter registration form if different from the organization’s official name; and the name, address, and telephone number of the contact person for the organization. Each person who signs the petition shall include the person’s signature, printed name, residence address with house number, street name, city, and county, and the date the person signed the petition.
A copy of the nonparty political organization’s articles of incorporation, bylaws, constitution, or other document relating to establishment of the organization. Such copy shall be certified as a true copy of the original by the custodian of the original document.
An application form prescribed by the state registrar of voters. The form shall include all of the following:

(1) The official name of the nonparty political organization.

(2) The name, address, and telephone number of the contact person for the organization who is responsible for the application.

(3) The signature of the chief executive officer of the organization approving the application.

(4) The organization’s name as the organization requests it to appear on the voter registration form if different from the organization’s official name.

The nonparty political organization’s name and its name as listed on the voter registration form shall conform to the requirements of section 43.121. The registrar shall not invalidate the application solely because the registrar finds the official name of the organization or the name to be included on the voter registration form to be unacceptable. If the registrar finds the name to be unacceptable, the registrar shall contact the organization and provide assistance in identifying an appropriate official name for the organization and for identifying the organization on the voter registration form. A determination by the registrar that the official name or voter registration form name requested is acceptable for use within the voter registration system is final.
The registrar and the voter registration commission may require biennial filings to update contact information.
Beginning in January 2011, and each odd-numbered year thereafter, the registrar and the voter registration commission may review the number of voters registered as affiliated with a nonparty political organization. If the number of registrants, including both active and inactive voters, is fewer than 150, the commission shall declare the organization to be dormant for purposes of voter registration and may revise the voter registration form and instructions and electronic voter registration system to remove the organization from the list of nonparty political organizations with which a voter may register as affiliated. However, a change shall not be made to the record of political affiliation of individual registrants unless the registrant requests the change.
If a political party, as defined in section 43.2, fails to receive a sufficient number of votes in a general election to retain status as a political party and the former political party organizes as a nonparty political organization, the organization may request registration of voters showing their affiliation with the organization. A change shall not be made to the record of political party affiliation of individual registrants unless the registrant requests the change.

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Title II – Chapter 45

CHAPTER 45 – NOMINATIONS BY PETITION

45.1 Nominations by petition.

Nominations for candidates for president and vice president, governor and lieutenant governor, and for other statewide elected offices may be made by nomination petitions signed by not less than one thousand five hundred eligible electors residing in not less than ten counties of the state.
Nominations for candidates for a representative in the United States house of representatives may be made by nomination petitions signed by not less than the number of eligible electors equal to the number of signatures required in subsection 1 divided by the number of congressional districts. Signers of the petition shall be eligible electors who are residents of the congressional district.
Nominations for candidates for the state senate may be made by nomination petitions signed by not less than one hundred eligible electors who are residents of the senate district.
Nominations for candidates for the state house of representatives may be made by nomination petitions signed by not less than fifty eligible electors who are residents of the representative district.
Nominations for candidates for offices filled by the voters of a whole county may be made by nomination petitions signed by eligible electors who are residents of the county equal in number to at least one percent of the number of registered voters in the county on July 1 in the year preceding the year in which the office will appear on the ballot, or by at least two hundred fifty eligible electors who are residents of the county, whichever is less.
Nominations for candidates for the office of county supervisor elected by the voters of a supervisor district may be made by nomination petitions signed by eligible electors who are residents of the supervisor district equal in number to at least one percent of the number of registered voters in the supervisor district on July 1 in the year preceding the year in which the office will appear on the ballot, or by at least one hundred fifty eligible electors who are residents of the supervisor district, whichever is less.
a. Nomination papers for the offices of president and vice president shall include the names of the candidates for both offices on each page of the petition. A certificate listing the names of the candidates for presidential electors, one from each congressional district and two from the state at large, shall be filed in the state commissioner’s office at the same time the nomination papers are filed.
Nomination papers for the offices of governor and lieutenant governor shall include the names of candidates for both offices on each page of the petition. Nomination papers for other statewide elected offices and all other offices shall include the name of the candidate on each page of the petition.
Nominations for candidates for elective offices in cities where the council has adopted nominations under this chapter may be submitted as follows:
Except as otherwise provided in subsection 9, in cities having a population of three thousand five hundred or greater according to the most recent federal decennial census, nominations may be made by nomination papers signed by not less than twenty-five eligible electors who are residents of the city or ward.
In cities having a population of one hundred or greater, but less than three thousand five hundred, according to the most recent federal decennial census, nominations may be made by nomination papers signed by not less than ten eligible electors who are residents of the city or ward.
In cities having a population less than one hundred according to the most recent federal decennial census, nominations may be made by nomination papers signed by not less than five eligible electors who are residents of the city.
Nominations for candidates, other than partisan candidates, for elective offices in special charter cities subject to section 43.112 may be submitted as follows:
For the office of mayor and alderman at large, nominations may be made by nomination papers signed by eligible electors residing in the city equal in number to at least two percent of the total vote received by all candidates for mayor at the last preceding city election.
For the office of ward alderman, nominations may be made by nomination papers signed by eligible electors residing in the ward equal in number to at least two percent of the total vote received by all candidates for ward alderman in that ward at the last preceding city election.

45.2 Adding name by petition.

The name of a candidate placed upon the ballot by any other method than by petition shall not be added by petition for the same office in the same election.

45.3 Affidavit of candidacy.

Each candidate shall complete and file a signed, notarized affidavit of candidacy. The affidavit shall be filed at the same time as the nomination petition. The affidavit shall be in the form prescribed by the secretary of state and shall include the following information:

The candidate’s name in the form the candidate wants it to appear on the ballot.
The candidate’s home address.
The name of the county in which the candidate resides.
The name of the political organization by which the candidate was nominated, if any.
The office sought by the candidate, and the district the candidate seeks to represent, if any.
A declaration that if the candidate is elected the candidate will qualify by taking the oath of office.
A statement that the candidate is aware that the candidate is required to organize a candidate’s committee which shall file an organization statement and disclosure reports if the committee or the candidate receives contributions, makes expenditures, or incurs indebtedness in excess of the reporting threshold in section 68A.102, subsection 5. This subsection shall not apply to candidates for federal office.
A statement that the candidate is aware of the prohibition in section 49.41 against being a candidate for more than one office to be filled at the same election, except county agricultural extension council and soil and water conservation district commission.
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.

45.4 Filing — presumption — withdrawals — objections.

The time and place of filing nomination petitions, the presumption of validity thereof, the right of a candidate so nominated to withdraw and the effect of such withdrawal, and the right to object to the legal sufficiency of such petitions, or to the eligibility of the candidate, shall be governed by the law relating to nominations by political organizations which are not political parties.

45.5 Form of nomination papers.

1. Nomination papers shall include a petition and an affidavit of candidacy. All nomination petitions shall be eight and one-half by eleven inches in size and shall be in substantially the form prescribed by the state commissioner of elections. They shall provide spaces for the following information:

a. A statement identifying the signers of the petition as eligible electors of the appropriate ward, city, county, school district or school district director district, or legislative district and of the state of Iowa.

b. The name of the candidate nominated by the petition.

c. A statement that the candidate is or will be a resident of the appropriate ward, city, county, school district, or legislative or other district as required by section 39.27.

d. The office sought by the candidate, including the district number, if any.

e. The name and date of the election for which the candidate is nominated.

f. The printed name, signature, address, and phone number of the person responsible for circulating the petition page.

2. a. Signatures on a petition page shall be counted only if the information required in subsection 1 is written or printed at the top of the page.

c. A signature line in a nomination petition shall not be counted if the line lacks the signature of the eligible elector and the signer’s residential address, with street and number, if any, and city. A signature line shall not be counted if an eligible elector supplies only a partial address or a post office box address, or if the signer’s address is obviously outside the boundaries of the appropriate ward, city, school district or school district director district, legislative district, or other district.

d. A signature line shall not be counted if any of the required information is crossed out or redacted at the time the nomination papers are filed with the state commissioner or commissioner.

3. The pages of the petition shall be securely fastened together to form a single bundle. Nomination petitions that are not bound shall be returned without further examination. The state commissioner shall prescribe by rule the acceptable methods for binding nomination petitions.

4. The person examining the petition shall mark any deficiencies on the petition. Signed nomination petitions and the signed and notarized affidavit of candidacy shall not be altered to correct deficiencies noted during the examination. If the nomination petition lacks a sufficient number of acceptable signatures, the nomination papers shall be rejected and returned to the candidate.

5. The nomination papers shall be rejected if the affidavit lacks any of the following:

a. The candidate’s name.

b. The name of the office sought, including the district, if any.

c. The signature of the candidate.

d. The signature of a notary public under chapter 9B or other officer empowered to witness oaths.

6. The candidate may replace a deficient affidavit with a corrected one only if the replacement is filed before the filing deadline. The candidate may resubmit a nomination petition that has been rejected by adding a sufficient number of pages or signatures to correct the deficiency. A nomination petition and affidavit filed to replace rejected nomination papers shall be filed together before the deadline for filing.

45.6 Requirements in signing

The following requirements shall be observed in the signing and preparation of nomination petitions:

1. A signer may sign nomination petitions for more than one candidate for the same office, and the signature is not invalid solely because the signer signed nomination petitions for one or more other candidates for the office.

2. Each signer shall add the signer’s residential address, with street and number, if any, and city.

3. All signers, for all nominations, of each separate part of a nomination petition, shall reside in the appropriate ward, city, county, school district or school district director district, legislative district, or other district as required by section 45.1.

4. When more than one sheet is used, the sheets shall be neatly arranged and securely fastened together before filing, and shall be considered one nomination petition. Nomination petitions which are not securely fastened together shall be returned to the candidate or the candidate’s designee without examination. The state commissioner shall prescribe by rule the acceptable methods for binding nomination petitions.

5. Only one candidate shall be petitioned for or nominated in the same nomination petition, except for the offices of governor and lieutenant governor, and president and vice president.

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Title II – Chapter 46

CHAPTER 46 – NOMINATION AND ELECTION OF JUDGES

46.1 Appointment of state judicial nominating commissioners.

1.The governor shall appoint, subject to confirmation by the senate, nine eligible electors to the state judicial nominating commission.

2. The appointments made by the governor shall be staggered terms of six years each and shall begin and end in even-numbered years as provided in section 69.19. The terms of no more than three nor less than two of the commissioners shall expire within the same two-year period.

3. No more than a simple majority of the commissioners appointed by the governor shall be of the same gender.

4. All commissioners shall be chosen without reference to political affiliation.

5. There shall be at least one commissioner appointed by the governor from each congressional district and there shall not be more than two commissioners appointed by the governor from a single congressional district unless each congressional district has at least two commissioners appointed by the governor.

6. A commissioner who has served a full six-year term on the state judicial nominating commission, whether the commissioner was appointed or elected, shall be ineligible to be appointed to a second six-year term.

7. No person may be appointed who holds an office of profit of the United States or of the state at the time of appointment.

46.2 Election of state judicial nominating commissioners.

1. The resident members of the bar of each congressional district shall elect two eligible electors of different genders to the state judicial nominating commission.

2. The commissioners elected by the bar shall serve staggered terms of six years each and shall be elected in the month of January for terms commencing July 1 of odd-numbered years. The terms of no more than three of the commissioners shall expire within the same two-year period.

3. All of the commissioners elected by the bar shall be chosen without reference to political affiliation.

4. A commissioner who has served a full six-year term on the state judicial nominating commission, whether the commissioner was appointed or elected, shall be ineligible to be elected to a second six-year term.

5. No person may be elected who holds an office of profit of the United States or of the state at the time of election.

46.2A Special appointment or election of state judicial nominating commissioners and transition provisions.

1. The initial term of the ninth commissioner appointed by the governor shall begin on May 8, 2019 and shall expire on April 30, 2024.

2. After the initial term is served pursuant to subsection 1, a new commissioner shall be appointed by the governor to a six-year term as provided in section 46.1.

3. The terms of any commissioner currently serving on the state judicial nominating commission or any commissioner already elected to begin serving on July 1, 2019, shall not be affected by 2019 Iowa Acts, ch. 89.

46.3 Appointment of district judicial nominating commissioners.

The governor shall appoint five eligible electors of each judicial election district to the district judicial nominating commission.
The appointments made by the governor shall be to staggered terms of six years each and shall be made in the month of January for terms commencing February 1 of even-numbered years.
No more than a simple majority of the commissioners appointed shall be of the same gender.
Beginning with terms commencing February 1, 2012, there shall not be more than one appointed commissioner from a county within a judicial election district unless each county within the judicial election district has an appointed or elected commissioner or the number of appointed commissioners exceeds the number of counties within the judicial election district. This subsection shall not be used to remove an appointed commissioner from office prior to the expiration of the commissioner’s term.

46.4 Election of district judicial nominating commissioners.

The resident members of the bar of each judicial election district shall elect five eligible electors of the district to the district judicial nominating commission. Commissioners shall be elected to staggered terms of six years each. The elections shall be held in the month of January for terms commencing February 1 of even-numbered years.
For terms commencing February 1, 1988, and every six years thereafter, one elected commissioner in each district shall be a woman and one shall be a man. For terms commencing February 1, 1990, and every six years thereafter, one elected commissioner in each district shall be a woman and one shall be a man. For the term commencing February 1, 1992, in the odd-numbered districts the elected commissioner shall be a woman and in the even-numbered districts the elected commissioner shall be a man. For the terms commencing every six years thereafter, the districts shall alternate between women and men elected commissioners.

46.5 Vacancies.

1. When a vacancy occurs in the office of an appointive judicial nominating commissioner, the chairperson of the particular commission shall promptly notify the governor in writing of such fact or the governor may take note of such a vacancy. Vacancies in the office of an appointive judicial nominating commissioner shall be filled by appointment by the governor, consistent with eligibility requirements. The term of state judicial nominating commissioners so appointed shall commence upon their appointment pending confirmation by the senate at the then session of the general assembly or at its next session if it is not then in session. The term of district judicial nominating commissioners so appointed shall commence upon their appointment.

2. An appointive commissioner shall be deemed to have submitted a resignation if the commissioner fails to attend a meeting of the commission that is properly noticed under section 46.13 and at which the commission conducts interviews or selects nominees for judicial office. The governor, in the governor’s discretion, may accept or reject the resignation. If the governor accepts the resignation, the governor shall notify the commissioner and the chairperson of the commission in writing and shall then make another appointment.

3. Vacancies in the office of elective judicial nominating commissioner shall be filled consistent with eligibility requirements by a special election within the judicial election district or congressional district where the vacancy occurs unless the term has less than ninety days remaining, in which case the office shall remain vacant. The special election shall be completed within ninety days of the vacancy arising and shall be conducted as provided in sections 46.9, 46.9A, and 46.10.

4. If a vacancy occurs in the office of chairperson of the state judicial nominating commission, the members of the commission shall elect a new chairperson as provided in section 46.6. If a vacancy occurs in the office of chairperson of a district judicial nominating commission or in the absence of the chairperson, the members of the particular commission shall elect a temporary chairperson from their own number.

5. Notwithstanding section 69.1A, appointed and elected commissioners on the state and district judicial nominating commissions shall not hold over until their successor is elected and qualified.

6. All judicial nominating commissioners, including those elected by the bar, shall be subject to removal by the executive council in the same manner as appointive state officers under section 66.26. When the status of a judicial nominating commissioner is in question, the governor shall be the officer responsible for deciding whether a vacancy exists under section 69.2.

46.5A Judicial nominating commission expenses.

Members of the state judicial nominating commission and the district judicial nominating commissions are entitled to be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties as commissioners for each day spent attending commission meetings or training sessions called by the chairperson. Expenses shall be paid from funds appropriated to the judicial branch for this purpose.

46.6 Chairperson.

1. The commissioners of the state judicial nominating commission shall elect a chairperson from their own number. The chairperson shall serve a two-year term that expires on April 30 of even-numbered years. A commissioner may be reelected for a second or third term as chairperson. If a chairperson of a judicial nominating commission desires to be relieved of the duties of chairperson while retaining the status of commissioner, the chairperson shall notify the governor and the other commissioners of the commission. At the next meeting of the commission, the commissioners shall elect a new chairperson for the remainder of the two-year term.

2. The judge of longest service in the district shall serve as the chair of a particular district judicial nominating commission. If the judges of longest service in the district are of equal service, the eldest of such judges shall be chairperson of the particular judicial nominating commission.

46.7 Eligibility to vote.

To be eligible to vote in elections of judicial nominating commissioners, a member of the bar must be eligible to practice and must be a resident of the state of Iowa and of the appropriate congressional district or judicial election district at the time the member votes in the election. The member’s residency shall be determined by the home address shown on the member’s most recent electronic or paper submission to the commission on continuing education and the client security commission or on the member’s bar admission records. A judge who has been admitted to the bar of the state of Iowa shall be considered a member of the bar.

46.8 Certified list.

1. The state court administrator shall maintain a certified list of the names, addresses, electronic mail addresses, and years of admission of members of the bar who are eligible to vote for state and district judicial nominating commissioners.

2. Upon request, the state court administrator shall provide the certified list in electronic form and without charge to any properly qualified nominee for state or district judicial nominating commissioner.

46.9 Conduct of elections.

1. When an election of judicial nominating commissioners is to be held, the state court administrator shall administer the voting. The state court administrator may administer the voting by electronic notification and voting or by paper ballot mailed to each eligible attorney. The state court administrator shall mail paper ballots to eligible attorneys or electronically notify and enable eligible attorneys to vote.

2. The state court administrator shall provide a voting period of at least twenty-one days from when the electronic voting notification is sent or the paper ballots are mailed during which eligible attorneys may vote electronically or submit a paper ballot.

3. In an election to elect a single commissioner, each eligible attorney may cast a single vote, and the qualified eligible elector receiving the most votes shall be elected.

4. In an election to elect one male commissioner and one female commissioner, each eligible attorney may cast one vote for male commissioner and one vote for female commissioner, and the qualified eligible elector of each gender receiving the most votes shall each be elected.

5. The election results, including the number of votes cast for each elector and the total number of the members of the bar eligible to vote in each election, shall be made publicly available on the judicial branch internet site and shall be reported to the governor and to the general assembly within ten days after the conclusion of the election.

46.9A Notice preceding nomination of elective nominating commissioners.

At least sixty days prior to the expiration of the term of an elective state or district judicial nominating commissioner or the expiration of the period within which a special election must be held, the state court administrator shall provide notice of the current or upcoming vacancy and the nomination and election process by making the notice publicly available on the judicial branch internet site, issuing a press release, and electronically notifying members of the bar. The election shall not commence until at least thirty days after the issuance of the notice required by this section.

46.10 Nomination of elective nominating commissioners.

1. In order to have an eligible elector’s name printed on the ballot for state or district judicial nominating commissioner, the eligible elector must file in the office of the state court administrator at least thirty days prior to expiration of the period within which the election must be held a nominating petition signed by at least ten eligible electors of the congressional district in case of a candidate for state judicial nominating commissioner, or at least ten eligible electors of the judicial district in case of a candidate for district judicial nominating commissioner.

2. Ballots or electronic voting forms for state and district judicial nominating commissioners shall contain blank lines equal to the number of such commissioners to be elected, where names may be written in. Any electronic voting form must permit a voter to write in the name of any eligible elector.

46.11 Certification of commissioners.

Upon making an appointment, the governor shall promptly certify the names and addresses of judicial nominating commissioners to the state commissioner of elections. Upon the completion of an election, the state court administrator shall certify the names and addresses of the elected judicial nominating commissioners to the state commissioner of elections and the governor.

46.12 Notification of vacancy and resignation.

1. When a vacancy occurs or will occur within one hundred twenty days in the supreme court, the court of appeals, or district court, the state commissioner of elections shall forthwith so notify the governor. The governor shall call a meeting of the proper judicial nominating commission within ten days after such notice; if the governor fails to do so, the chief justice shall call such meeting.

2. When a judge of the supreme court, court of appeals, or district court resigns, the judge shall submit a copy of the resignation to the state commissioner of elections at the time the judge submits the resignation to the governor; and when a judge of the supreme court, court of appeals, or district court dies, the clerk of district court of the county of the judge’s residence shall in writing forthwith notify the state commissioner of elections of such fact.

46.13 Notice of meetings and application process

1. The governor or chairperson of each judicial nominating commission shall give the members of the commission at least five days’ written notice by mail or electronic mail of the time and place of every meeting, except as to members who execute written waivers of notice at or before the meeting or unless the commission at its next previous meeting designated the time and place of the meeting.

2. Each commission, with the technical support of the judicial branch, shall publish all of the following on the judicial branch internet site:

a. Notice that the commission is accepting applications for judge or justice along with a copy of the application form at least two weeks before applications are required to be submitted to the commission.

b. Copies of nonconfidential application materials submitted by applicants.

c. The schedule of applicant interviews before the commission.

d. The list of nominees submitted by the commission to the governor and the chief justice.

3. Commissioners shall be permitted to conduct individual interviews with applicants in advance of the commission’s meetings to choose the nominees.

4. The state judicial nominating commission shall adopt uniform rules for the state and district judicial nominating commissions that shall be consistent with this chapter and shall provide for a uniform and fair process for the commissions to consider applicants and select nominees. The state judicial nominating commission shall provide for a public comment period of at least thirty days on its proposed uniform rules prior to adopting the rules and shall adopt the rules on or before November 8, 2019. Such rules shall be made publicly available on the judicial branch internet site.

46.14 Nomination.

Each judicial nominating commission shall carefully consider the individuals available for judge, and within sixty days after receiving notice of a vacancy shall certify to the governor and the chief justice the proper number of nominees, in alphabetical order. Such nominees shall be chosen by the affirmative vote of a majority of the full statutory number of commissioners upon the basis of their qualifications and without regard to political affiliation. Nominees shall be members of the bar of Iowa, shall be residents of the state or district of the court to which they are nominated, and shall be of such age that they will be able to serve an initial and one regular term of office to which they are nominated before reaching the age of seventy-two years. Nominees for district judge shall file a certified application form, to be provided by the supreme court, with the chairperson of the district judicial nominating commission. Absence of a commissioner or vacancy upon the commission shall not invalidate a nomination. The chairperson of the commission shall promptly certify the names of the nominees, in alphabetical order, to the governor and the chief justice.
A commissioner shall not be eligible for nomination by the commission during the term for which the commissioner was elected or appointed to that commission. A commissioner shall not be eligible to vote for the nomination of a family member, current law partner, or current business partner. For purposes of this subsection, “family member” means a spouse, son, daughter, brother, sister, uncle, aunt, first cousin, nephew, niece, father-in-law, mother-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, father, mother, stepfather, stepmother, stepson, stepdaughter, stepbrother, stepsister, half brother, or half sister.

46.14A Court of appeals — nominees.

Vacancies in the court of appeals shall be filled by appointment by the governor from a list of nominees submitted by the state judicial nominating commission. Three nominees shall be submitted for each vacancy. Nominees to the court of appeals shall have the qualifications prescribed for nominees to the supreme court.

46.15 Appointments to be from nominees.

All appointments to the supreme court and court of appeals shall be made from the nominees of the state judicial nominating commission, and all appointments to the district court shall be made from the nominees of the district judicial nominating commission.
If the governor fails to make an appointment within thirty days after a list of nominees has been submitted, the appointment shall be made from the list of nominees by the chief justice of the supreme court.

46.15A Severability and judicial review

1. If any provision or clause of this chapter or any application of this chapter to any person or circumstances is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions, clauses, or applications of this chapter which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions and clauses of this chapter are declared to be severable.

2. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, if any provision of this chapter is preliminarily enjoined, no judicial nominating commission shall meet to nominate persons to serve as a judge or justice while the preliminary injunction is in effect or while any appeal of the preliminary injunction or a related permanent injunction is pending unless the injunction is subsequently stayed or otherwise lifted.

46.16 Terms of judges.

Subject to sections 602.1610 and 602.1612 and to removal for cause:
The initial term of office of judges of the supreme court, court of appeals, and district court shall be for one year after appointment and until January 1 following the next judicial election after expiration of such year; and
The regular term of office of judges of the supreme court retained at a judicial election shall be eight years, and of judges of the court of appeals and district court so retained shall be six years, from the expiration of their initial or previous regular term as the case may be.
Subject to removal for cause, the initial term of office of a district associate judge shall be for one year after appointment and until January 1 following the next judicial election after expiration of such year, and the regular term of office of a district associate judge retained at a judicial election shall be six years from the expiration of the initial or previous regular term, as the case may be.
Subject to removal for cause, the initial term of office of a full-time associate juvenile judge or a full-time associate probate judge shall be for one year after appointment and until January 1 following the next judicial election after expiration of such year, and the regular term of office of a full-time associate juvenile judge or a full-time associate probate judge retained at a judicial election shall be six years from the expiration of the initial or previous regular term, as the case may be.

46.17 Time of judicial election.

Judicial elections shall be held at the time of the general election.

46.18 Eligibility of voters.

Electors entitled to vote at the general election shall be entitled to vote at the judicial election. All voting procedures provided by chapter 53 for absent voting by armed forces in general elections shall be applicable to judicial elections.

46.19 Election registers.

The election registers used for the general election shall also constitute the election registers for the judicial election.

46.20 Declaration of candidacy.

At least one hundred four days before the judicial election preceding expiration of the initial or regular term of office, a judge of the supreme court, court of appeals, or district court including district associate judges, full-time associate juvenile judges, or full-time associate probate judges, or a clerk of the district court who is required to stand for retention under section 602.1216 may file a declaration of candidacy with the state commissioner of elections to stand for retention or rejection at that election. If a judge or clerk fails to file the declaration, the office shall be vacant at the end of the term. District associate judges, full-time associate juvenile judges, and full-time associate probate judges filing the declaration shall stand for retention in the judicial election district of their residence.

46.21 Conduct of elections.

At least sixty-four days before each judicial election, the state commissioner of elections shall certify to the county commissioner of elections of each county a list of the judges of the supreme court, court of appeals, and district court including district associate judges, full-time associate juvenile judges, and full-time associate probate judges, and clerks of the district court to be voted on in each county at that election. The county commissioner of elections shall place the names upon the ballot in the order in which they appear in the certificate. The state commissioner of elections shall rotate the names in the certificate by county. The names of all judges and clerks to be voted on shall be placed upon one ballot, which shall be in substantially the following form:

STATE OF IOWA

JUDICIAL BALLOT

(Date)

VOTE ON ALL NAMES BY PLACING AN X IN THE APPROPRIATE BOX AFTER EACH NAME.

SUPREME COURT

Shall the following judges of the supreme court be retained in office?

CANDIDATE’S NAME YES ☐ NO ☐

COURT OF APPEALS

Shall the following judges of the court of appeals be retained in office?

CANDIDATE’S NAME YES ☐ NO ☐

DISTRICT COURT

Shall the following judge, associate judge, associate juvenile judge, or associate probate judge of the district court be retained in office?

CANDIDATE’S NAME YES ☐ NO ☐

Shall the following clerk of the district court be retained in office?

CANDIDATE’S NAME YES ☐ NO ☐

46.22 Voting.

Voting at judicial elections shall be by separate paper ballot or optical scan ballot in the space provided for public measures. If separate paper ballots are used, the election judges shall offer a ballot to each voter. If optical scan ballots are used, either a separate ballot or a distinct heading may be used to distinguish the judicial ballot. Separate ballot boxes for the general election ballots and the judicial election ballots are not required. The general election ballot and the judicial election ballot may be voted in the same voting booth.

46.23 General election and absent voter laws.

So far as applicable, general election and absent voter laws shall apply to judicial elections. An application for an absent voter ballot for a general election shall also constitute an application for an absent voter ballot for a judicial election to be held at the same time, and the ballots shall be mailed or delivered to the voter together. The sealed envelope transmitted by the absent voter to the county commissioner of elections containing the absent voter general election ballot may also contain the judicial election ballot.

46.24 Results of election.

A judge of the supreme court, court of appeals, or district court including a district associate judge, full-time associate juvenile judge, or full-time associate probate judge, or a clerk of the district court must receive more affirmative than negative votes to be retained in office. When the poll is closed, the election judges shall publicly canvass the vote forthwith. The board of supervisors shall canvass the returns on the Monday or Tuesday after the election, and shall promptly certify the number of affirmative and negative votes on each judge or clerk to the state commissioner of elections.
The state board of canvassers shall, at the time of canvassing the vote cast at a general election, open and canvass all of the returns for the judicial election. Each judge of the supreme court, court of appeals, or district court including a district associate judge, full-time associate juvenile judge, or full-time associate probate judge, or a clerk of the district court who has received more affirmative than negative votes shall receive from the state board of canvassers an appropriate certificate so stating.

46.25 Eligible elector defined.

As used in this chapter, the term “eligible elector” has the meaning assigned that term by section 39.3.

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Title II – Chapter 47

CHAPTER 47 – ELECTION COMMISSIONERS

47.1 State commissioner of elections.

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.

2. The state commissioner of elections may exercise emergency powers over any election being held in a district in which either a natural or other disaster or extremely inclement weather has occurred. The state commissioner of elections may also exercise emergency powers during an armed conflict involving United States armed forces, or mobilization of those forces, or if an election contest court finds that there were errors in the conduct of an election making it impossible to determine the result.

3. The secretary of state is designated the chief state election official and is responsible for coordination of state responsibilities under the federal National Voter Registration Act of 1993.

4. The state commissioner shall adopt rules describing the emergency powers and the situations in which the powers will be exercised.

5. The state commissioner shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A, for the implementation of uniform and nondiscriminatory administrative complaint procedures for resolution of grievances relating to violations of Tit. III of Pub. L. No. 107-252.² In complaint proceedings in which all of the respondents are local election officials, the presiding officer shall be the state commissioner of elections. In complaint proceedings in which one of the respondents is the state commissioner of elections, the presiding officer shall be a panel consisting of all members of the state voter registration commission appointed pursuant to section 47.8, except the state commissioner of elections or the state commissioner’s designee.

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 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.

7. The state commissioner may share information a county provides to an appropriate government agency to safeguard against cybersecurity or physical threats.

8. The state commissioner may adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A to create minimum security protocols applicable to 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.

47.2 County commissioner of elections.

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.

a. When an election is to be held as required by law or is called by a political subdivision of the state and the political subdivision is located in more than one county, the county commissioner of elections of each of those counties shall conduct that election within the commissioner’s county. However, the commissioner for the county having the greatest taxable base within the political subdivision shall serve as the controlling commissioner for the election. The controlling commissioner shall receive all nomination papers and public measures for the political subdivision. By the forty-first day prior to the election, the controlling commissioner shall certify the names of candidates and the text and summary of any public measure being submitted to the electorate to all county commissioners of elections required to conduct elections for the political subdivision. The county commissioners of elections of the other counties in which the political subdivision is located shall cooperate with the controlling commissioner.

b. Notwithstanding paragraph “a”, for a city primary election, city runoff election, or a special election for a city, school district, or merged area, if a political subdivision is located in more than one county, the county commissioner of elections of a county not having the greatest taxable base within the political subdivision may designate that the controlling commissioner of the political subdivision shall conduct that election if fewer than one hundred twenty-five registered voters of the political subdivision are located within such county commissioner’s county. If the controlling commissioner is so designated, section 50.24, subsections 4 and 5, shall not apply. For the purposes of this paragraph, the number of registered voters shall be the number of registered voters in the political subdivision of a county not having the greatest taxable base on May 1 immediately preceding the first day of the filing period for candidates for the election. If May 1 falls on a day when the county commissioner’s office is closed for business, the county commissioner shall use the number of registered voters on the next day that the county commissioner’s office is open for business to determine the number of registered voters.

3. The commissioner may designate as a deputy county commissioner of elections any officer of a political subdivision who is required by law to accept nomination papers filed by candidates for office in that political subdivision, and when so designated that person shall assist the commissioner in administering elections conducted by the commissioner for that subdivision. The designation of a person as a deputy commissioner of elections pursuant to this section, once made, shall continue in effect until the designation is withdrawn by the commissioner.

4. The commissioner shall assign each local public measure a letter for identification purposes. The public measure on the ballot shall be identified by the letter.

a. The county commissioner who is responsible under subsection 2 for conducting the elections held for a political subdivision which lies in more than one county shall assign the letter to the public measure.

b. The county commissioners of elections of the other counties in which the political subdivision is located shall not assign the same letter to a local public measure on the ballot in their counties during the same election.

5. The office of county auditor or county commissioner of elections in each county shall be open for at least eight hours on the Saturday preceding a general election, primary election, or special election called by the governor for the purpose of receiving absentee ballots and conducting other official business relating to the election.

6. On the final date for filing nomination papers in the commissioner’s office the office shall be open until the time for receiving nomination papers has passed.

7. The county commissioner of elections shall, to maintain election security, do all of the following:

a. When the county commissioner believes that a cybersecurity incident or data breach has occurred, the county commissioner shall immediately inform the state commissioner of elections.

b. If the county commissioner has no reason to believe that a cybersecurity incident or data breach has occurred, the county commissioner shall certify that fact to the state commissioner on an annual basis.

8. The county commissioner shall not participate in an absentee ballot drive or collection effort in cooperation with a candidate, candidate’s committee, political party, or nonparty political organization. However, when a county commissioner is a candidate for election, such a county commissioner may participate in an absentee ballot drive or collection effort, but shall not aid any other candidate, candidate’s committee, political party, or nonparty political organization.

47.3 Election expenses.

1. The costs of conducting a special election called by the governor, general election, and the primary election held prior to the general election shall be paid by the county.

2. The cost of conducting other elections shall be paid by the political subdivision for which the election is held. The costs shall include but not be limited to the printing of the ballots and the election register, publication of notices, printing of declaration of eligibility affidavits, compensation for precinct election boards, canvass materials, and the preparation and installation of voting equipment. The county commissioner of elections shall certify to the county board of supervisors a statement of cost for an election. The cost shall be assessed by the county board of supervisors against the political subdivision for which the election was held.

a. Costs of registration and administrative and clerical costs shall not be charged as a part of the election costs.

b. If automatic tabulating equipment is used in any election, the county commissioner of elections shall not charge any political subdivision of the state a rental fee for the use of any automatic tabulating equipment.

4. The cost of maintenance of voter registration records and of preparation of election registers and any other voter registration lists required by the commissioner in the discharge of the duties of that office shall be paid by the county. Administrative and clerical costs incurred by the registrar in discharging the duties of that office shall be paid by the state.

47.4 Election filing deadlines.

If the deadline for a filing pertaining to an election falls on a day that the state or county commissioner’s office is closed for business, the deadline shall be extended to the next day that the office of state commissioner or county commissioner is open for business to receive the filing. This section does not apply to the deadline for voter registration under section 48A.9, subsection 2.

47.5 Purchasing by competitive bidding.

Except for legal services and printing of ballots, the commissioner shall take bids for goods and services which are needed in connection with registration of voters or preparation for or administration of elections and which will be performed or provided by persons who are not employees of the commissioner under the following circumstances:
In any case where it is proposed to purchase data processing services. The commissioner shall give the registrar written notice in advance on each occasion when it is proposed to have data processing services, necessary in connection with the administration of elections, performed by any person other than the registrar or an employee of the county. Such notice shall be made at least thirty days prior to publication of the specifications.
In all other cases, where the cost of the goods or services to be purchased will exceed one thousand dollars.
When it is proposed to purchase any goods or services, other than data processing services, in connection with administration of elections, the commissioner shall publish notice to bidders, including specifications regarding the goods or services to be purchased or a description of the nature and object of the services to be retained, in a newspaper of general circulation in the county not less than fifteen days before the final date for submission of bids. When competitive bidding procedures are used, the purchase of goods or services shall be made from the lowest responsible bidder which meets the specifications or description of the services needed or the commissioner may reject all bids and readvertise. In determining the lowest responsible bidder, various factors may be considered, including but not limited to the past performance of the bidder relative to quality of product or service, the past experience of the purchaser in relation to the product or service, the relative quality of products or services, the proposed terms of delivery and the best interest of the county.
The procedure for purchasing data processing services in connection with administration of elections is the same as prescribed in subsection 2, except that the required copy of the bid specifications shall be filed with the registrar rather than the state commissioner. The specifications for data processing contracts relative to voter registration records shall be specified by the registration commission. The registrar shall, not later than the final date for submission of bids, inform the commissioner in writing whether the department of administrative services data processing facilities are currently capable of furnishing the services the county proposes to purchase, and if so the cost to the county of so obtaining the services as determined in accordance with the standard charges adopted by the registration commission. The commissioner, with approval of the board of supervisors, may reject all bids and enter into an arrangement with the registrar for the services to be furnished by the state. The commissioner may recommend and the board of supervisors may approve purchasing the needed services from the lowest responsible bidder; however, if the needed services could be obtained through the registrar at a lower cost, the board shall publish notice twice in a newspaper of general circulation in the county of its intent to accept such bid and of the difference in the amount of the bid and the cost of purchasing the needed services from the department of administrative services data processing facilities through the registrar. Each contract for the furnishing of data processing services necessary in connection with the administration of elections, by any person other than the registrar or an employee of the county, shall be executed with the contractor by the board of supervisors of the county purchasing the services, but only after the contract has been reviewed and approved by the registration commission. The contract shall be of not more than one year’s duration. Each county exercising the option to purchase such data processing services from a provider other than the registrar shall provide the registrar, at the county’s expense, original and updated voter registration lists in a form and at times prescribed by rules adopted by the registration commission.
Any election or registration data or records which may be in the possession of a contractor shall remain the property of the commissioner. Contracts with a private person relating to the maintenance and use of voter registration data, which were properly entered into in compliance with this section and with all other laws relating to bidding on such contracts, shall remain in force only until the most recently negotiated termination date of that contract. A new contract with the same provider may be entered into in accordance with subsection 3.

47.6 Election dates — conflicts — public measures.

1. a. (1) The governing body of a political subdivision which has authorized a special election to which section 39.2, subsections 1, 2, and 3, are applicable shall by written notice inform the commissioner who will be responsible for conducting the election of the proposed date of the special election.

(a) If a public measure will appear on the ballot at the special election, the governing body shall submit the complete text of the public measure to the commissioner with the notice of the proposed date of the special election.

(b) If the proposed date of the special election coincides with the date of a regularly scheduled election or previously scheduled special election, the notice shall be given no later than 5:00 p.m. on the last day on which nomination papers may be filed with the commissioner for the regularly scheduled election or previously scheduled special election, but in no case shall notice be less than thirty-two days before the election. Otherwise, the notice shall be given at least forty-six days in advance of the date of the proposed special election.

(2) Upon receiving the notice, the commissioner shall promptly give written approval of the proposed date unless it appears that the special election, if held on that date, would conflict with a regular election or with another special election previously scheduled for that date.

b. A public measure shall not be withdrawn from the ballot at any election if the public measure was placed on the ballot by a petition, or if the election is a special election called specifically for the purpose of deciding one or more public measures for a single political subdivision. However, a public measure which was submitted to the county commissioner of elections by the governing body of a political subdivision may be withdrawn by the governing body which submitted the public measure if the public measure was to be placed on the ballot of a regularly scheduled election. The notice of withdrawal must be made by resolution of the governing body and must be filed with the commissioner no later than the last day upon which a candidate may withdraw from the ballot.

2. For the purpose of this section, a conflict between two elections exists only when some but not all of the registered voters of any precinct would be entitled to vote in one of the elections and all of the registered voters of the same precinct would be entitled to vote in the other election. Nothing in this subsection shall deny a commissioner discretionary authority to approve holding a special election on the same date as another election, even though the two elections may be defined as being in conflict, if the commissioner concludes that to do so will cause no undue difficulties.

a. A city council, county board of supervisors, school district board of directors, or merged area board of directors that has authorized a public measure to be submitted to the voters at a special election held pursuant to section 39.2, subsection 4, shall file the full text of the public measure with the commissioner no later than 5:00 p.m. on the forty-sixth day before the election.

b. If there are vacancies in county offices to be filled at the special election, candidates shall file their nomination papers with the commissioner not later than 5:00 p.m. on the forty-sixth day before the election.

c. If there are vacancies in city offices to be filled at the special election, candidates shall file their nomination papers with the city clerk not later than 5:00 p.m. on the forty-seventh day before the election. The city clerk shall deliver the nomination papers to the commissioner not later than 5:00 p.m. on the forty-sixth day before the election. Candidates for city offices in cities in which a primary election may be necessary shall file their nomination papers with the city clerk not later than 5:00 p.m. on the fifty-fourth day before the election. The city clerk shall deliver the nomination papers to the commissioner not later than 5:00 p.m. on the fifty-third day before the election.

47.7 State registrar of voters.

1. The state commissioner of elections is designated the state registrar of voters, and shall regulate the preparation, preservation, and maintenance of voter registration records, the preparation of precinct election registers for all elections administered by the commissioner of any county, and the preparation of other data on voter registration and participation in elections which is requested and purchased at actual cost of preparation and production by a political party or any resident of this state. The registrar shall maintain a log, which is a public record, showing all lists and reports which have been requested or generated or which are capable of being generated by existing programs of the data processing services of the registrar. In the execution of the duties provided by this chapter, the state registrar of voters shall provide the maximum public access to the electoral process permitted by law.

a. On or before January 1, 2006, 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 Iowa department of public health records of deceased persons.

b. On or after January 1, 2007, 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.

47.8 Voter registration commission — composition — duties.

A state voter registration commission is established which shall meet at least quarterly to make and review policy, adopt rules, and establish procedures to be followed by the registrar in discharging the duties of that office, and to promote interagency cooperation and planning.
The commission shall consist of the state commissioner of elections or the state commissioner’s designee, the state chairpersons of the two political parties whose candidates for president of the United States or governor, as the case may be, received the greatest and next greatest number of votes in the most recent general election, or their respective designees, and a county commissioner of registration appointed by the president of the Iowa state association of county auditors, or an employee of the commissioner.
The commission membership shall be balanced by political party affiliation pursuant to section 69.16. Members shall serve without additional salary or reimbursement.
The state commissioner of elections, or the state commissioner’s designee, shall serve as chairperson of the state voter registration commission.
The registration commission shall prescribe the forms required for voter registration by rules promulgated pursuant to chapter 17A.
a. The registrar shall provide staff services to the commission and shall make available to it all information relative to the activities of the registrar’s office in connection with voter registration policy which may be requested by any commission member. The registrar shall also provide to the commission at no charge statistical reports for planning and analyzing voter registration services in the state.
The commission may authorize the registrar to employ such additional staff personnel as it deems necessary to permit the duties of the registrar’s office to be adequately and promptly discharged. Such personnel shall be employed pursuant to chapter 8A, subchapter IV.
The registration commission shall annually adopt a set of standard charges to be made for the services the registrar is required to offer to the several commissioners, and for furnishing of voter registration records which are requested by persons other than the registrar, the state commissioner or any commissioner pursuant to section 48A.38. These charges shall be sufficient to reimburse the state for the actual cost of furnishing such services or information, and shall be specified by unit wherever possible. The standard charges shall be adopted by the commission by January 15 of each calendar year.
In complaint proceedings held pursuant to section 47.1 in which one of the respondents is the state commissioner of elections, the presiding officer shall be a panel consisting of all members of the state voter registration commission, except the state commissioner of elections or the state commissioner’s designee.

47.9 Voting machine reimbursement fund. Repealed by 2008 Acts, ch 1176, §8, 10.

47.10 Optical scan voting system fund.

An optical scan voting system fund is established in the office of the treasurer of state under the control of the secretary of state. Moneys in the fund are appropriated to the office of the secretary of state for purchase and distribution of optical scan voting system equipment to counties to assist county compliance with section 52.2. The secretary of state, in consultation with the department of administrative services, shall establish a procedure for purchasing and distributing the equipment.

47.11 Electronic poll book and polling place technology program — revolving loan fund.

An electronic poll book and polling place technology program is created and an electronic poll book and polling place technology revolving loan fund is created in the state treasury under the control of the state commissioner. The program and revolving loan fund shall be administered by the state commissioner and the revolving loan fund shall include moneys allocated from the state commissioner’s budget and any other moneys obtained or accepted by the state commissioner for deposit in the revolving loan fund.
a. The state commissioner may loan moneys in the revolving loan fund to county commissioners for the purchase or update of electronic poll book and polling place technology.
Moneys loaned under this subsection shall be used, in accordance with section 49.28, to furnish electronic poll books to election precincts for the purpose of modernizing polling places throughout the state.
The state commissioner may spend an amount not to exceed thirty percent of the moneys in the revolving loan fund at the beginning of a fiscal year to administer polling place technology to ensure compliance with state standards of technological security and the protection of personally identifiable information.
A loan made under this section shall bear no interest.
Notwithstanding section 12C.7, subsection 2, interest or earnings on moneys in the revolving loan fund shall be credited to the revolving loan fund. Notwithstanding section 8.33, moneys in the revolving loan fund that remain unencumbered or unobligated at the close of a fiscal year shall not revert to any other fund but shall remain available in the revolving loan fund for the purposes designated.
The state commissioner shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A to administer this section.

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Title II – Chapter 48A

CHAPTER 48A – VOTER REGISTRATION

SUBCHAPTER I – GENERAL PROVISIONS

48A.1 Statement of intent.

It is the intent of the general assembly to facilitate the registration of eligible residents of this state through the widespread availability of voter registration services. This chapter and other statutes relating to voter registration are to be liberally construed toward this end.

48A.2 Definitions.

The definitions established by this section and section 39.3 shall apply wherever the terms so defined appear in this chapter, unless the context in which any such term is used clearly requires otherwise.

1. “Commissioner of registration” means the county commissioner of elections as defined in section 47.2.

2. “Document” means, for purposes of satisfying proof of residence under this chapter, information that is inscribed on a tangible medium or that is stored in an electronic record and is retrievable in perceivable form.

3. “Homeless person” means a person who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence and who has a primary nighttime residence that is one of the following:

a. A supervised publicly or privately operated shelter designed to provide temporary living accommodations.

b. An institution that provides a temporary residence for persons intended to be institutionalized.

c. A public or private place not designed for, or ordinarily used as, a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings.

4. “Person who is incompetent to vote” means a person with an intellectual disability who has been found to lack the mental capacity to vote in a proceeding held pursuant to section 633.552.

5. “Voter registration agency” means an agency designated to conduct voter registration under section 48A.19. Offices of the office of driver services of the state department of transportation are not voter registration agencies.

6. “Voter identification card” means a card issued pursuant to section 48A.10A.

7. “Voter registration form” means an application to register to vote which must be completed by or on behalf of any person registering to vote. The voter registration form may also be used to make changes to an existing voter registration record.

8. “Voter registration list” means a compilation of voter registration records produced, upon request, from the electronic voter registration file or by viewing, upon request, the original, completed voter registration applications and forms.

48A.3 Commissioner of registration.

The county commissioner of elections is designated the commissioner of registration for the county, and may appoint deputies and assistants, subject to the approval of the county board of supervisors, necessary to carry out the commissioner’s responsibilities under this chapter and under rules of the state voter registration commission and the state registrar of voters.

48A.4 Qualification of officers.

Before undertaking any voter registration duties, each voter registration officer, deputy, or assistant in whatever capacity, or clerk in the office of commissioner shall take an oath in the form prescribed by the state commissioner of elections.

SUBCHAPTER II – QUALIFICATIONS TO REGISTER TO VOTE

48A.5 Voter qualifications.

1. An eligible elector wishing to vote in elections in Iowa shall register to vote as required by this chapter.

2. To be qualified to register to vote an eligible elector shall:

a. Be a citizen of the United States.

b. Be an Iowa resident. A person’s residence, for voting purposes only, is the place which the person declares is the person’s home with the intent to remain there permanently or for a definite, or indefinite or indeterminable length of time. A person who is homeless or has no established residence may declare residence in a precinct by describing on the voter registration form a place to which the person often returns.

(1) Be at least eighteen years of age. However, for purposes of voting in the primary election, an eligible elector shall be at least eighteen years of age on the date of the respective general election or city election. Completed registration forms shall be accepted from registrants who are at least seventeen years of age. For an election other than a primary election, the registration shall not be effective until the registrant reaches the age of eighteen. The commissioner of registration shall ensure that the birth date shown on the registration form is at least seventeen years earlier than the date the registration is processed.

(2) A registrant who is at least seventeen years of age and who will be eighteen by the date of a pending election is a registered voter for the pending election for purposes of chapter 53. For purposes of voting in a primary election under chapter 43, a registrant who will be at least eighteen years of age by the date of the respective general election or city election is a registered voter for the pending primary election.

d. Not claim the right to vote in more than one place. A registrant shall be presumed to revoke any earlier claim of residence for voter registration purposes.

3. If a person who meets the requirements set forth in subsection 2 moves to a new residence, either in Iowa or outside Iowa, and does not meet the voter requirements at the person’s new residence, the person may vote at the person’s former precinct in Iowa until the person meets the voter requirements of the person’s new residence. However, a person who has moved to a new residence and fails to register to vote at the person’s new residence after becoming eligible to do so shall not be entitled to vote at the person’s former precinct in Iowa.

4. A citizen of the United States who lives outside of the United States has the right to register and vote as if the person were a resident of a precinct in Iowa if the citizen was an eligible elector of Iowa immediately before leaving the United States. A citizen who was not old enough to register to vote before leaving the United States but who met all of the other requirements for voter registration at that time also has the right to register and vote as if the person were a resident of a precinct in Iowa. This right applies even though while living outside the United States the citizen does not have a residence or other address in the precinct, and the citizen has not determined whether to return to Iowa. To qualify to vote in Iowa a United States citizen living outside the United States shall:

a. Comply with all applicable requirements of sections 53.37 to 53.53 relating to absentee ballots for members of the armed forces and other citizens living outside the United States.

b. Not maintain a residence, shall not be registered to vote, and shall not vote in any other state, territory, or possession of the United States.

c. Possess a valid passport or identity card and registration issued under authority of the United States secretary of state, or, if the citizen does not possess a valid passport or card of identity or registration, an alternative form of identification consistent with the provisions of applicable federal and state requirements.

5. If a United States citizen living outside the United States meets the requirements for voting, except for residence, has never lived in the United States, and has a parent who meets the definition of a member of the armed forces of the United States under section 53.37, the citizen is eligible to register to vote and vote at the same voting residence claimed by the citizen’s parent.

6. The deadlines for voter registration shall not apply to a person who has been discharged from military service within thirty days preceding the date of an election. The person shall present to the precinct election official a copy of the person’s discharge papers. The person shall complete a voter registration form and give it to the official before being permitted to vote.

48A.5A Determination of residence.

Residence shall be determined in accordance with the following principles:

The residence of a person is in the precinct where the person’s home or dwelling is located.
A residence for purposes of this chapter cannot be established in a commercial or industrial building that is not normally used for residential purposes unless the building is used as a primary nighttime residence.
A person does not lose residence if the person leaves the person’s home to reside temporarily in another state or precinct.
If a person goes to another state or precinct and files an affidavit of residence in that state or precinct for election purposes, the person loses residence in the former state or precinct, unless the person moved to the other state after that state’s deadline for registering to vote in a particular election.
A student who resides at or near the school the student attends, but who is also able to claim a residence at another location under the provisions of this section, may choose either location as the student’s residence for voter registration and voting purposes.
If an active member of the United States armed forces, as defined by section 53.37, has previously resided at a location that meets the requirements of this section, that person may claim either that previous residence or the person’s current residence as the person’s residence for voter registration and voting purposes.
Notwithstanding subsections 1 through 6, the residence of a homeless person is in the precinct where the homeless person usually sleeps. Residence requirements shall be construed liberally to provide homeless persons with the opportunity to register to vote and to vote.
A person’s declaration of residency for voter registration and voting purposes is presumed to be valid unless a preponderance of evidence indicates that another location should be considered the person’s voting residence under the provisions of this chapter.

48A.6 Disqualified persons.

The following persons are disqualified from registering to vote and from voting:

A person who has been convicted of a felony as defined in section 701.7, or convicted of an offense classified as a felony under federal law. If the person’s rights are later restored by the governor, or by the president of the United States, the person may register to vote.
A person who is incompetent to vote. Certification by the clerk of the district court that any such person has been found no longer incompetent by a court shall qualify such person to again be an elector, subject to the other provisions of this chapter.

48A.7 Registration in person.

An eligible elector may register to vote by appearing personally and completing a voter registration form at the office of the commissioner in the county in which the person resides, at a motor vehicle driver’s license station, including any county treasurer’s office that is participating in county issuance of driver’s licenses under chapter 321M, or at any voter registration agency. A separate registration form shall be signed by each individual registrant.

48A.7A Election day and in-person absentee registration.

a. A person who is eligible to register to vote and to vote may register on election day by appearing in person at the polling place for the precinct in which the individual resides and completing a voter registration application, making written oath, and providing proof of identity and residence.
(1) For purposes of this section, a person may establish identity and residence by presenting to the appropriate precinct election official a current and valid Iowa driver’s license or Iowa nonoperator’s identification card or by presenting any of the following current and valid forms of identification if such identification contains the person’s photograph and a valid expiration date:

(a) An out-of-state driver’s license or nonoperator’s identification card.

(b) A United States passport.

(d) An identification card issued by an employer.

(e) A student identification card issued by an Iowa high school or an Iowa postsecondary educational institution.

(2) If the photographic identification presented does not contain the person’s current address in the precinct, the person shall also present one of the following documents that shows the person’s name and current address in the precinct, and the document must be dated, or describe terms of residency current to, within forty-five days prior to presentation:

(a) Residential lease.

(b) Property tax statement.

(d) Bank statement.

(e) Paycheck.

(f) Government check.

(g) Other government document.

In lieu of paragraph “b”, a person wishing to vote may establish identity and residency in the precinct by written oath of a person who is registered to vote in the precinct. Before signing an oath under this paragraph, the attesting registered voter shall present to the precinct election official proof of the voter’s identity, as described in section 49.78, subsection 2. The registered voter’s oath shall attest to the stated identity of the person wishing to vote and that the person is a current resident of the precinct. The oath must be signed by the attesting registered voter in the presence of the appropriate precinct election official. A registered voter who has signed an oath on election day attesting to a person’s identity and residency as provided in this paragraph is prohibited from signing any further oaths as provided in this paragraph on that day.
The oath required in subsection 1, paragraph “a”, and in paragraph “c”, if applicable, shall be attached to the voter registration application.
At any time before election day, and after the deadline for registration in section 48A.9, a person who appears in person at the commissioner’s office or at a satellite absentee voting station or whose ballot is delivered to a health care facility pursuant to section 53.22 may register to vote and vote an absentee ballot by following the procedure in this section for registering to vote on election day. A person who wishes to vote in person at the polling place on election day and who has not registered to vote before the deadline for registering in section 48A.9, is required to register to vote at the polling place on election day following the procedure in this section. However, the person may complete the voter registration application at the commissioner’s office and, after the commissioner has reviewed the completed application, may present the application to the appropriate precinct election official along with proof of identity and residency.
a. The form of the written oath required of the person registering under this section shall read as follows:

I, ……………….. (name of registrant), do solemnly swear or affirm all of the following:

I am a resident of the ………… precinct, ………… ward or township, city of ……………….., county of ……………….., Iowa.

I am the person named above.

I live at the address listed below.

I do not claim the right to vote anywhere else.

I have not voted and will not vote in any other precinct in this election.

I understand that any false statement in this oath is a class “D” felony punishable by no more than five years in confinement and a fine of at least seven hundred fifty dollars but not more than seven thousand five hundred dollars.

…………………………………………….

Signature of Registrant

…………………………………………….

Address

…………………………………………….

Telephone (optional to provide)

Subscribed and sworn before me on …….. (date).

…………………………………………….

Signature of Precinct Election Official

The form of the written oath required of a person attesting to the identity and residency of the registrant shall read as follows:

I, ……………….. (name of registered voter), do solemnly swear or affirm all of the following:

I am a preregistered voter in this precinct or I registered to vote in this precinct today, and a registered voter did not sign an oath on my behalf. I have not signed an oath attesting to the identity and residence of any other person in this election.

I am a resident of the ………… precinct, ………… ward or township, city of ……………….., county of ……………….., Iowa.

I reside at ………………………. (street address) in ……………….. (city or township).

I personally know ……………….. (name of registrant), and I personally know that ……………….. (name of registrant) is a resident of the ………… precinct, ……………….. ward or township, city of ……………….., county of ……………….., Iowa.

…………………………………………….

Signature of Registered Voter

Subscribed and sworn before me on …….. (date).

…………………………………………….

Signature of Precinct Election Official

a. If a person registers to vote under this section at a polling place that has access to an electronic poll book, the precinct election official shall verify against a database maintained by the state commissioner that the person has not been convicted of a felony or, if the person has been convicted of a felony, the person has had the person’s voting rights restored. If the precinct election official determines that the person has not been convicted of a felony or has been convicted of a felony but the person’s voting rights have been restored, the precinct election official shall furnish a ballot to the voter. If the database indicates that the person has been convicted of a felony and that the person’s voting rights have not been restored, the precinct election official shall challenge the person under section 49.79.
If a person registers to vote under this section at a polling place that does not have access to an electronic poll book, the person shall be permitted to cast a provisional ballot under section 49.81, and the absentee and special voters precinct board, appointed pursuant to section 53.23, shall verify against a database maintained by the state commissioner that the person has not been convicted of a felony or, if the person has been convicted of a felony, the person’s voting rights have been restored. If information in the database indicates that the person has not been convicted of a felony or, if the person has been convicted of a felony, the person’s voting rights have been restored, the voter’s provisional ballot shall be counted. If the database indicates that the person has been convicted of a felony and the person’s voting rights have not been restored, the voter’s provisional ballot shall be rejected.

48A.8 Registration by mail.

An eligible elector may request that a voter registration form be mailed to the elector. The completed form may be mailed or delivered by the registrant or the registrant’s designee to the commissioner in the county where the person resides or to the state commissioner of elections for a program participant, as provided in section 9E.6. A separate voter registration form shall be signed by each individual registrant.
An eligible elector who registers by mail and who has not previously voted in an election for federal office in the county of registration shall be required to provide identification documents when voting for the first time in the county, unless the registrant provided on the registration form the registrant’s Iowa driver’s license number, or the registrant’s Iowa nonoperator’s identification card number, or the last four numerals of the registrant’s social security number and the driver’s license, nonoperator’s identification, or partial social security number matches an existing state or federal identification record with the same number, name, and date of birth. If the registrant under this subsection votes in person at the polls, or by absentee ballot at the commissioner’s office or at a satellite voting station, the registrant shall provide a current and valid photo identification card and shall present, as proof of residence, to the appropriate election official one of the following current documents that shows the name and address of the registrant:
Residential lease.
Property tax statement.
Utility bill.
Bank statement.
Paycheck.
Government check.
Other government document.
If the registrant under subsection 2 votes an absentee ballot by mail, the registrant shall provide a photocopy of one of the documents listed in subsection 2 when returning the absentee ballot.
A registrant under subsection 2 who is required to present identification when casting a ballot in person shall be permitted to vote a provisional ballot if the voter does not provide the required identification documents. If a voter who is required to present identification when casting a ballot votes an absentee ballot by mail, the ballot returned by the voter shall be considered a provisional ballot pursuant to sections 49.81 and 53.31.

48A.9 Voter registration deadlines.

1. Registration closes at 5:00 p.m. eleven days before each election except general elections. For general elections, registration closes at 5:00 p.m. ten days before the election. An eligible elector may register during the time registration is closed in the elector’s precinct but the registration shall not become effective until registration opens again in the elector’s precinct, except as otherwise provided in section 48A.7A.

2. The commissioner’s office shall be open from 8:00 a.m. until at least 5:00 p.m. on the day registration closes before each regularly scheduled election. However, if the last day to register to vote for a regularly scheduled election falls on the day after Thanksgiving, the deadline shall be the following Monday.

3. A registration form submitted by mail shall be considered on time if it is postmarked no later than the fifteenth day before the election, even if it is received by the commissioner after the deadline, or if the registration form is received by the commissioner no later than 5:00 p.m. on the last day to register to vote for an election, even if it is postmarked after the fifteenth day before the election.

4. Registration forms submitted to voter registration agencies, to motor vehicle driver’s license stations, and to county treasurer’s offices participating in county issuance of driver’s licenses under chapter 321M shall be considered on time if they are received no later than 11:59 p.m. on the day registration closes for that election. Offices or agencies other than the county commissioner’s office are not required to be open for voter registration purposes at times other than their usual office hours.

48A.10 Registration required.

If a registered voter moves to a different county, the person shall submit a completed voter registration form to the commissioner in order to be qualified to vote in that county. An otherwise eligible elector whose right to vote has been restored pursuant to chapter 914 or who has been found not to be a person who is incompetent to vote may register to vote.

48A.10A Voter identification cards — verification of voter registration information.

The state registrar shall compare lists of persons who are registered to vote with the department of transportation’s driver’s license and nonoperator’s identification card files and shall, on an initial basis, issue a voter identification card to each active, registered voter whose name does not appear in the department of transportation’s files. The voter identification card shall include the name of the registered voter, a signature line above which the registered voter shall sign the voter identification card, the registered voter’s identification number assigned to the voter pursuant to section 47.7, subsection 2, and an additional four-digit personal identification number assigned by the state commissioner.
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 files. A registered voter whose name appears in the department of transportation’s driver’s license or nonoperator’s identification card files shall not be issued a voter identification card pursuant to this section.
A person issued a voter identification card under this section shall not be charged any fee for the issuance or delivery of the voter identification card.
Implementation of this section shall be contingent upon appropriations by the general assembly in sufficient amounts to meet the requirements of this section.
The state registrar shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A to implement this section.

SUBCHAPTER III – FORMS AND PROCEDURES FOR VOTER REGISTRATION

48A.11 Voter registration form.

1. Each voter registration form shall provide space for the registrant to provide the following information:

a. The county where the registrant resides.

b. The registrant’s name, including first name and any family forename or surname.

c. The address at which the registrant resides and claims as the registrant’s residence for voting purposes.

d. The registrant’s mailing address if it is different from the residence address.

e. Iowa driver’s license number if the registrant has a current and valid Iowa driver’s license, Iowa nonoperator’s identification card if the registrant has a current and valid Iowa nonoperator’s identification card, or the last four numerals of the registrant’s social security number. If the registrant does not have an Iowa driver’s license number, an Iowa nonoperator’s identification card number, or a social security number, the form shall provide space for a number to be assigned as provided in subsection 8.

f. Date of birth, including month, date, and year.

g. Sex.

h. Residential telephone number (optional to provide).

i. Political party affiliation as defined in section 43.2 or nonparty

political organization affiliation if approved for inclusion on the form pursuant to section 44.18.

j. The name and address appearing on the registrant’s previous voter registration.

k. A space for a registrant who is homeless or who has no established residence to provide such information as may be necessary to describe a place to which the person often returns.

l. A statement that lists each eligibility requirement, contains an attestation that the registrant meets all of the requirements, and requires the signature of the registrant under penalty of perjury.

m. A space for the registrant’s signature and the date signed.

2. The voter registration form shall include, in print that is identical to the attestation portion of the form, the following:

a. Each voter eligibility requirement.

b. The penalty provided by law for submission of a false voter registration form, which shall be the penalty for perjury as provided by section 902.9, subsection 1, paragraph “e”.

a. The following questions and statement regarding eligibility shall be included on forms that may be used for registration by mail:

[1] Are you a citizen of the United States of America?

[2] Will you be eighteen years of age on or before election day?

[3] If you checked “no” in response to either of these questions, do not complete this form.

b. The forms shall also include information noting that, for purposes of voting in a primary election, a person may complete the form if the person is a citizen of the United States of America and will be at least eighteen years of age on the date of the general election.

4. Voter registration forms used by voter registration agencies under section 48A.19 shall include the following statements:

a. If a person declines to register to vote, the fact that the person has declined to register will remain confidential and will be used only for voter registration purposes.

b. If a person does register to vote, the office at which the registrant submits a voter registration form will remain confidential and the information will be used only for voter registration purposes.

5. Voter registration forms may be on paper or electronic media.

6. All forms for voter registration shall be prescribed by the state voter registration commission.

7. A person who has been designated to have power of attorney by a registrant does not have authority to sign a voter registration form, except as otherwise provided in section 39.3, subsection 17.

8. A voter registration application lacking the registrant’s name, sex, date of birth, residence address or description, or signature shall not be processed. A voter registration application lacking the registrant’s Iowa driver’s license number, Iowa nonoperator’s identification card number, or the last four digits of the registrant’s social security number shall not be processed. A registrant whose registration is not processed pursuant to this subsection shall be notified pursuant to section 48A.26, subsection 3. A registrant who does not have an Iowa driver’s license number, an Iowa nonoperator’s identification number, or a social security number and who notifies the registrar of such shall be assigned a unique identifying number that shall serve to identify the registrant for voter registration purposes.

48A.12 Federal mail voter registration form.

The mail voter registration form prescribed by the federal election assistance commission shall be accepted for voter registration in Iowa if all required information is provided, if it is signed by the registrant, and if the form is timely received.
The state commissioner of elections shall make the federal mail voter registration forms available for distribution to governmental and private entities, with particular emphasis on making them available to organized voter registration entities and programs.

48A.13 Electronic signatures on voter registration records.

Electronic signatures shall be accepted. However, before the use of electronic signatures is accepted on voter registration forms, the state voter registration commission shall prescribe by rule the technological requirements for guaranteeing the security and integrity of electronic signatures.

48A.14 Challenges of voter registrations.

1. The registration of a registered voter may be challenged by another registered voter of the same county subject to the conditions and limitations of this section. A challenge shall be a statement in writing to the commissioner alleging one or more of the following reasons the challenged registrant’s registration should not have been accepted or should be canceled:

a. The challenged registrant is not a citizen of the United States.

b. The challenged registrant is less than seventeen years of age.

c. The challenged registrant is not a resident at the address where the registrant is registered.

d. The challenged registrant has falsified information on the registrant’s registration form.

e. The challenged registrant has been convicted of a felony, and the registrant’s voting rights have not been restored.

f. The challenged registrant has been adjudged by a court of law to be a person who is incompetent to vote and no subsequent proceeding has reversed that finding.

2. A challenge shall not contain allegations against more than one registered voter.

3. A challenge shall contain a statement signed by the challenger in substantially the following form:

I am a registered voter in (name of county) County, Iowa. I swear or affirm that information contained on this challenge is true. I understand that knowingly filing a challenge containing false information is an aggravated misdemeanor.

4. A challenge may be filed at any time. A challenge filed less than seventy days before a regularly scheduled election shall not be processed until after the pending election unless the challenge is filed within twenty days of the commissioner’s receipt of the challenged registrant’s registration form or notice of change to an existing registration. A challenge filed against a person registering to vote pursuant to section 48A.7A is considered a challenge to a person offering to vote and must be filed under section 49.79.

5. A challenger may withdraw a challenge at any time before the hearing held pursuant to section 48A.16 by notifying the commissioner in writing of the withdrawal.

48A.15 Commissioner’s action upon receipt of challenge or withdrawal.

A challenge is valid if it meets the criteria in section 48A.14, subsections 1, 2, and 3.
Upon receipt of a challenge which is not valid, the commissioner shall notify the challenger of the reason the challenge is not valid, and shall take no further action regarding the challenge.
Upon receipt of a valid challenge, the commissioner shall, within five working days, notify the challenged registrant and the challenger of the date, time, and place of a hearing on the matter of the challenge, to be held not less than twenty nor more than thirty days from the commissioner’s receipt of the challenge. The notice of a hearing shall include a copy of the challenge, and shall advise the challenged registrant that the registrant may personally appear at the hearing, or may submit to the commissioner before the hearing evidence, documentation, or statements refuting the challenge.
The notice prescribed by subsection 3 shall be sent by first class forwardable mail to the challenged registrant at the registrant’s most recent mailing address according to the registration records.
If the challenge is withdrawn, the commissioner shall immediately notify the challenged registrant of the withdrawal, and shall cancel the scheduled hearing.
If the challenged registrant notifies the commissioner that the challenged registrant wishes to appear in person but is unable to do so on the date scheduled, the commissioner may reschedule the hearing.

48A.16 Hearing on challenge — appeal.

At the time and place fixed for the hearing, the commissioner shall accept evidence on the challenge from the challenger and the challenged registrant, or from any person appearing on behalf of either, and review any documents or statements pertaining to the challenge received before the hearing. On the basis of the evidence submitted, the commissioner shall either reject the challenge or cancel the registration of the challenged registrant. Either the challenged registrant or the challenger may appeal the commissioner’s decision to the district court in the commissioner’s county, and the decision of the court shall be final.
If a challenged registrant does not personally appear at the hearing and the challenged registrant’s registration is canceled, the commissioner shall immediately notify the challenged registrant of the cancellation by first class forwardable mail sent to the challenged registrant’s most recent mailing address according to the registration records.

SUBCHAPTER IV – PLACES TO REGISTER

48A.17 Registration at commissioner’s office.

A person who meets the qualifications to vote may appear in person at the office of the county commissioner of registration and apply to register to vote.

48A.18 Voter registration at motor vehicle driver’s license stations.

Each state motor vehicle driver’s license application, including any renewal application or application for a nonoperator’s identification card, submitted to the office of driver services of the state department of transportation shall serve as an application for voter registration unless the applicant declines to register to vote. A completed voter registration form submitted to the office of driver services of the state department of transportation shall be considered to update any previous voter registration by the registrant.
A change of address form submitted to the office of driver services of the state department of transportation shall serve as a change of address for voter registration purposes unless the registrant states on the form that the change of address is not for voter registration purposes.
Information relating to the refusal of an applicant for a driver’s license to apply to register to vote shall not be used for any purpose other than voter registration.
Forms and procedures used by the office of driver services for voter registration and a schedule for transmission of voter registration forms from the office to the county commissioner of registration shall be prescribed by the state voter registration commission by rule.
A county treasurer’s office participating in county issuance of driver’s licenses pursuant to chapter 321M shall participate in voter registration under this section to the same extent as a license facility of the state department of transportation.

48A.19 Voter registration agencies.

The following state agencies are responsible for voter registration:
All state offices that have direct client contact and provide applications for public assistance, including but not limited to offices administering the following programs:

(1) Food stamps.

(2) Medical assistance under chapter 249A.

(3) Iowa family investment program.

(4) Special supplemental food program for women, infants, and children.

(1) All offices that provide state-funded programs primarily engaged in providing services to persons with disabilities, including but not limited to all of the following:

(a) Department for the blind.

(b) Division of vocational rehabilitation services of the department of education.

(d) Office of persons with disabilities of the department of human rights or its successor agency.

(2) An agency designated a voter registration agency under this paragraph which provides services to persons with disabilities in their homes shall provide voter registration services at the clients’ homes.

Other federal and state agencies designated to provide voter registration services include, but are not limited to, the United States armed forces recruiting offices.
Agencies designated to provide voter registration services shall provide the following services:
Distribution of a voter registration form either on paper or electronic medium.
Assistance to registrants in completing voter registration forms, unless the registrant refuses assistance.
Acceptance of completed voter registration forms for transmittal as required in section 48A.21.
The voter registration agency shall provide voter registration services with each application for services or assistance and with each recertification, renewal, or change of address form completed relating to the agency’s services. The secretary of state shall adopt administrative rules in cooperation with voter registration agencies to carry out the requirements of this section.
a. The voter registration agency shall provide a form to applicants that includes all of the following:

(1) The question:

If you are not registered to vote where you live now, would you like to apply to register to vote here today?

(2) If the agency provides public assistance, the statement:

Applying to register or declining to register to vote will not affect the amount of assistance that you will be provided by this agency.

(3) (a) Boxes for the applicant to check and choices in substantially the following form:

☐ I want to register to vote.

☐ I do not want to register to vote.

(b) The following statement shall be printed near the choices and shall be printed in large, readable type:

If you do not check either box, you will be considered to have decided not to register to vote at this time.

(4) (a) The statement:

If you would like help in filling out the voter registration form, we will help you. The decision whether to seek or accept help is yours. You may fill out the application form in private.

(b) However, in those voter registration agencies where electronic forms are used, the following statement shall be used:

If you want to fill out the form in private, a separate paper form for voter registration will be provided.

(5) (a) The statement:

If you believe that someone has interfered with your right to register or to decline to register to vote, your right to privacy in deciding whether to register or in applying to register to vote, or your right to choose your own political party or other political preference, you may file a complaint with the state voter registration commission.

(b) The name, address, and telephone number of the voter registration commission shall complete the statement.

The voter registration agency may distribute the voter registration form either on paper or by electronic medium.
The voter registration agency shall provide each applicant who chooses to register to vote the same degree of assistance in completing the registration form as is provided by the office for the completion of its own forms unless the applicant refuses such assistance.
Completed voter registration forms shall be transmitted as provided in section 48A.21.

48A.20 Prohibited acts by voter registration agency employees.

A person who provides voter registration services as required by this subchapter shall not:

Seek to influence an applicant’s political preference or party registration.
Display a political preference or party affiliation.
Make any statement to an applicant or take any action which has the purpose or effect of discouraging the applicant from registering to vote.
Make any statement to an applicant or take any action which has the purpose or effect of leading the applicant to believe that a decision to register or not to register to vote has any bearing on the availability of services or benefits.

48A.21 Transmission of forms from agencies and driver’s license stations.

The state registrar of voters shall adopt administrative rules regulating the transmission of completed voter registration forms from voter registration agencies and from driver’s license stations, including county treasurer’s offices participating in county issuance of driver’s licenses under chapter 321M. All completed voter registration applications in the possession of a voter registration agency, a driver’s license station, or a county treasurer’s office that is participating in county issuance of driver’s licenses at 5:00 p.m. on the last workday of each week shall be transmitted to the location designated by the state registrar of voters by rule. Procedures or requirements for more frequent transmissions may be specified by rule.

48A.22 Voter registration by volunteer organizations.

The secretary of state shall encourage volunteer organizations to undertake voter registration drives by providing registration forms.

48A.23 Registration at educational institutions.

1. At least twice during each school year, the board of directors of each school district operating a high school and the authorities in charge of each accredited nonpublic school shall offer the opportunity to register to vote to each student who is at least seventeen years of age.

2. All postsecondary schools, including but not limited to colleges, universities, and trade and technical schools which receive state funding, shall offer the opportunity to register to vote to each student at least once each year. Students shall be provided with the federal voter registration form or the Iowa voter registration form, as applicable.

48A.24 Deadline for submitting voter registration forms.

A person who accepts a completed voter registration form from an applicant shall submit the form to the appropriate commissioner within seven days of receiving the form if the person accepting the form is doing so on behalf of any of the following:
A political party, as defined in section 43.2.
A nonparty political organization required to nominate candidates under chapter 44.
A candidate or committee, as defined in section 68A.102.
Notwithstanding the deadline in subsection 1, a person described in subsection 1 who accepts a completed voter registration form from an applicant within three days of the voter registration deadline prescribed in section 48A.9 for the next election shall submit the form to the appropriate commissioner within twenty-four hours of accepting the form, and not later than the registration deadline.

48A.25 Compensation for assistance in completing registration forms.

a. A person may pay, offer to pay, or accept compensation for assisting others in completing voter registration forms only if the compensation is based solely on the time spent providing the assistance.
Paying, offering to pay, or receiving compensation based on the number of registration forms completed, or the party affiliations shown on completed registration forms, or on any other performance criteria, is unlawful.
a. This section shall not apply to state statutory political committees, as defined in section 43.111.
This section shall not apply to state and political subdivision employees who are required to offer assistance to clients as a part of their regular job duties, and who shall not be granted additional compensation for voter registration activities.
A person assisting another in completing a voter registration form shall not complete any portion of the form without the knowledge or consent of the registrant.

48A.25A Verification of voter registration information.

a. Upon receipt of an application for voter registration, the commissioner of registration shall compare the Iowa driver’s license number, the Iowa nonoperator’s identification card number, or the last four numerals of the social security number provided by the registrant with the records of the state department of transportation. To be verified, the voter registration record shall contain the same name, date of birth, and Iowa driver’s license number or Iowa nonoperator’s identification card number or whole or partial social security number as the records of the state department of transportation. If the information cannot be verified, the application shall be recorded and the status of the voter’s record shall be designated as pending status. The commissioner of registration shall notify the applicant that the applicant is required to present identification described in section 48A.8, subsection 2, before voting for the first time in the county. If the information can be verified, a record shall be made of the verification and the status of the voter’s record shall be designated as active status.
This subsection shall not apply to applications received from registrants pursuant to section 48A.7A.
The voter registration commission shall adopt rules in accordance with chapter 17A to provide procedures for processing registration applications if the state department of transportation does not, before the close of registration for an election for which the voter registration would be effective, if verified, provide a report that the information on the application has matched or not matched the records of the department.
This section does not apply to persons described in section 53.37 who are entitled to register to vote and to vote.

SUBCHAPTER V – PROCESSING VOTER REGISTRATION RECORDS

48A.26 Acknowledgment of registration form.

a. Except as otherwise provided in paragraphs “b” and “c” of this subsection, or section 48A.26A, within seven working days of receipt of a voter registration form or change of information in a voter registration record the commissioner shall send an acknowledgment to the registrant at the mailing address shown on the registration form. The acknowledgment shall be sent by nonforwardable mail.

b. For a voter registration form or change of information in a voter registration record submitted at a precinct caucus, the commissioner shall send an acknowledgment within forty-five days of receipt of the form or change of information.

c. For a voter registration form or change of information in a voter registration record submitted within fourteen days of a regularly scheduled election, the commissioner shall send an acknowledgment within forty-eight hours of receipt of the form or change of information.

2. If the registration form appears on its face to be complete and proper, the acknowledgment shall state that the registrant is now a registered voter of the county. The acknowledgment shall also specify the name of the precinct and the usual polling place for the precinct in which the person is now registered. The acknowledgment may include the political party affiliation most recently recorded by the registrant.

3. If the registration form is missing required information pursuant to section 48A.11, subsection 8, the acknowledgment shall advise the applicant what additional information is required. The commissioner shall enclose a new registration form for the applicant to use. If the registration form has no address, the commissioner shall make a reasonable effort to determine where the acknowledgment should be sent. If the incomplete registration form is received during the period in which registration is closed pursuant to section 48A.9 but by 5:00 p.m. on the Saturday before the election for general elections or by 5:00 p.m. on the Friday before the election for all other elections, the commissioner shall send a notice advising the applicant of election day and in-person absentee registration procedures under section 48A.7A.

4. If the registrant applied by mail to register to vote and did not answer either “yes” or “no” to the first question in section 48A.11, subsection 3, the application shall be processed. If the application is complete and proper in all other respects and information on the application is verified, as required by section 48A.25A, the applicant shall be registered to vote and sent an acknowledgment.

5. If the registrant applied by mail to register to vote and answered “no” to the first question in section 48A.11, subsection 3, the application shall not be processed. The acknowledgment shall advise the applicant that the registration has been rejected because the applicant indicated on the registration form that the applicant is not a citizen of the United States.

6. If the acknowledgment is returned as undeliverable by the United States postal service, the commissioner shall follow the procedure described in section 48A.29, subsection 1.

7. If a registrant has not supplied enough information on a registration form for the commissioner to determine the correct precinct and other districts, the commissioner shall obtain the information as quickly as possible either from the registrant or other sources available to the commissioner.

8. An improperly addressed or delivered registration form shall be forwarded to the appropriate county commissioner of registration within two working days after it is received by any other official. The date of registration shall be the date the registration form was received by the first official. If the registration form was postmarked fifteen or more days before an election and the registration form was received by the first official after the close of registration, the registration form shall be considered on time for the election.

9. When a person who is at least seventeen years of age but less than eighteen years of age registers to vote, the commissioner shall maintain a record of the registration so as to clearly indicate that it will not take effect until the registrant’s eighteenth birthday and that the person is registered and qualifies to vote at any election held on or after that date. However, the commissioner shall indicate that the person is registered and qualifies to vote at the pending primary election if the person will be at least eighteen years of age on the date of the respective general election or city election.

48A.26A Acknowledgment of election day and in-person absentee registration form.

Within twenty-one days of receiving a voter registration form completed under section 48A.7A, the commissioner shall send an acknowledgment to the registrant, in the manner provided in section 48A.26, subsections 2 through 5, as applicable, at the mailing address shown on the registration form. The acknowledgment shall be sent by nonforwardable mail.
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 and the county attorney.
A county attorney receiving a notification pursuant to subsection 2 shall review the voter’s registration documents and other such information as may be necessary, and report the findings to the commissioner and state registrar of voters.

48A.26B Form of acknowledgment.

The state registrar shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A to prescribe the form of written acknowledgments sent to a registrant by a commissioner pursuant to section 48A.26 or 48A.26A.

48A.27 Changes to voter registration records.

Any voter registration form received by any voter registration agency, driver’s license station, including county treasurer’s offices participating in county issuance of driver’s licenses under chapter 321M, or the commissioner shall be considered as updating the registrant’s previous registration.
a. A person who is registered to vote may request changes in the voter’s registration record at any time by submitting one of the following, as applicable:

(1) A signed, written notice to the county commissioner in person, by mail, or by electronic submission.

(2) A completed Iowa or federal mail registration form to the county commissioner.

(3) On election day, a registration form to the precinct election officials at the precinct of the voter’s current residence.

(4) A change of address form to the office of driver services of the state department of transportation, or to a county treasurer’s office that is participating in county issuance of driver’s licenses under chapter 321M.

(5) A change of address notice for voter registration submitted to any voter registration agency.

If a registered voter submits a change of name, telephone number, or address under this subsection, the commissioner shall not change the political party or nonparty political organization affiliation in the registered voter’s prior registration unless otherwise indicated by the registered voter.
The commissioner shall make the necessary changes in the registration records without any action by the registrant when any of the following events occur:
Annexation of territory by a city. When an existing city annexes territory, the city clerk shall furnish the commissioner a detailed map of the annexed territory. If a city is divided into wards for voting purposes, the detailed map shall show the ward designations for the annexed territory. The commissioner shall change the registration of persons residing in that territory to reflect the annexation and the city precinct to which each of those persons is assigned. If the commissioner cannot determine the names and addresses of the persons affected by the annexation, the commissioner shall send each person who may be involved a letter informing the person that the person’s registration may be in error, and requesting that each person provide the commissioner with the information necessary to correct the registration records.
Change of official street name or house or building number by a city or county. When the city or county changes the name of a street or the number of a house or other building in which a person resides, the city clerk or county board of supervisors shall inform the commissioner of the change, and the commissioner shall change the registration of each person affected.
Incorporation or discontinuance of a city. When a new city is incorporated or an existing city is discontinued, the city clerk shall notify the commissioner. The commissioner shall change the registration of each person affected.
Change of rural route designation of the residence of the registered voter. The commissioner shall request each postmaster in the county to inform the commissioner of each change in rural route designation and the names of the persons affected, and the commissioner shall change the registration of each person as appropriate.
a. A commissioner, either independently or in cooperation with the state registrar of voters, and in accordance with rules of the state voter registration commission, may enter into an agreement with a licensed vendor of the United States postal service participating in the national change of address program to identify registered voters of the county who may have moved either within or outside the county.
If the information provided by the vendor indicates that a registered voter has moved to another address within the county, the commissioner shall change the registration records to show the new residence address, and shall also mail a notice of that action to the new address. The notice shall be sent by forwardable mail, and shall include a postage prepaid preaddressed return form by which the registered voter may verify or correct the address information.
If the information provided by the vendor indicates that a registered voter has moved to an address outside the county, the commissioner shall make the registration record inactive, and shall mail a notice to the registered voter at the new address.

(1) The notice shall be sent by forwardable mail, and shall include a postage paid preaddressed return card on which the registered voter may state the registered voter’s current address.

(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.

If the information provided by the vendor indicates the registered voter has moved to another county within the state, the notice required by paragraph “c” shall include a statement that registration in the county of the person’s current residence is required.
If a registered voter returns a card sent pursuant to this subsection and confirms that the registered voter has moved to a new residence outside the county, the commissioner shall cancel the registration of the voter.
If a registered voter returns a card sent pursuant to this subsection and states that the registered voter’s residence address has not changed for the purpose of voter registration, the commissioner shall reinstate the record to active status, making any other changes directed by the registrant in the notice.
The commissioner shall keep a record of the names and addresses of the registered voters to whom notices under this section are sent and the date of the notice. When the return card from a notice is received by the commissioner, the commissioner shall record the date it was received and whether the registrant had moved within the county, moved to an address outside the county, or had not changed residence.

48A.27A Voting more than once — referral and examination.

If the state registrar of voters receives information from another jurisdiction that a registered voter of this state may have voted or attempted to vote more than once in the same election, the state registrar shall provide the information to the appropriate commissioner.
If a commissioner receives information from the state registrar of voters or from another jurisdiction that a registered voter may have voted or attempted to vote more than once in the same election, the commissioner shall provide the information to the county attorney in each jurisdiction where the voter voted or attempted to vote. A county attorney of this state that is provided such information shall examine the information and report any findings to the commissioner.

48A.28 Systematic confirmation program.

Each commissioner shall conduct a systematic program that makes a reasonable effort to remove from the official list of registered voters the names of registered voters who have changed residence from their registration addresses. Either or both of the methods described in this section may be used.
a. A commissioner may participate in the United States postal service national change of address program, as provided in section 48A.27. The state voter registration commission shall adopt rules establishing specific requirements for participation and use of the national change of address program.
A commissioner participating in the national change of address program, in the first quarter of each calendar year, shall send a notice and preaddressed, postage paid return card by forwardable mail to each registered voter whose name was not reported by the national change of address program and who has not voted in two or more consecutive general elections and has not registered again, or who has not reported a change to an existing registration, or who has not responded to a notice from the commissioner or registrar during the period between and following the previous two general elections. The form and language of the notice and return card shall be specified by the state voter registration commission by rule. A registered voter shall not be sent a notice and return card under this subsection more frequently than once in a four-year period.
a. For a commissioner who is not participating in the national change of address program, in February of each year the commissioner shall mail a confirmation notice to each registered voter in the county. The notice shall be sent by forwardable mail. The notice shall include a preaddressed, postage paid return card for the use of the registered voter or the recipient of the notice. The card shall contain boxes for the recipient to check to indicate one of the following:

(1) That the recipient is the registered voter named on the card, and is still a resident at the address listed.

(2) That the recipient is the registered voter named on the card, but is no longer a resident of the address listed.

(3) That the recipient is not the registered voter named on the card, and the registered voter named on the card is not a resident of the address listed.

The form and language of the confirmation notice and return card shall be specified by the state voter registration commission by rule.

48A.29 Procedure upon return of confirmation card.

If a confirmation notice and return card sent pursuant to section 48A.28 is returned as undeliverable by the United States postal service, the commissioner shall make the registration record inactive and shall mail a notice to the registered voter at the registered voter’s most recent mailing address, as shown by the registration records.
The notice shall be sent by forwardable mail, and shall include a postage paid preaddressed return card on which the registered voter may state the registered voter’s current address.
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.

When a detachable return card originally attached to a confirmation notice is returned indicating that the registered voter is still a resident of the address shown on the registration records, the commissioner shall make a record of the date the card was received.
When a detachable return card originally attached to a confirmation notice is returned by anyone other than the registered voter indicating that the registered voter is no longer a resident of the registration address, the commissioner shall make the registration record inactive, and shall mail a notice to the registered voter at the registered voter’s most recent mailing address, as shown by the registration records.
The notice shall be sent by forwardable mail, and shall include a postage paid preaddressed return card on which the registered voter may state the registered voter’s current address.
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.

48A.30 Cancellation of voter registration.

The voter registration of a registered voter shall be canceled if any of the following occurs:
The registered voter dies. For the purposes of this subsection, the commissioner may accept as evidence of death a notice from the state registrar of vital statistics forwarded by the state registrar of voters, a written statement from a member of the registered voter’s household, an obituary in a newspaper, a written statement from an election official, or a notice from the county recorder of the county where the registered voter died.
The registered voter registers to vote in another jurisdiction, and the commissioner receives notice of the registration from the registration official in the other jurisdiction.
The registered voter requests the cancellation in writing. For the purposes of this subsection, a confirmation by the registered voter that the registered voter is no longer a resident of the county constitutes a request for cancellation.
The clerk of the district court, or the United States attorney, or the state registrar sends notice of the registered voter’s conviction of a felony as defined in section 701.7, or conviction of an offense classified as a felony under federal law. The clerk of the district court shall send notice of a felony conviction to the state registrar of voters. The registrar shall determine in which county the felon is registered to vote, if any, and shall notify the county commissioner of registration for that county of the felony conviction.
The clerk of the district court or the state registrar sends notice that the registered voter has been declared a person who is incompetent to vote under state law.
The registered voter is not a resident of Iowa, or the registered voter submits documentation under section 607A.4, subsection 3, that indicates that the voter is not a citizen of the United States.
The registered voter’s registration record has been inactive pursuant to section 48A.29 for two successive general elections.
When a registration is canceled pursuant to subsection 1, paragraph “d”, “e”, or “g”, the commissioner shall send a notice of the cancellation to the registered voter.

48A.31 Deceased persons record.

The state registrar of vital statistics shall transmit or cause to be transmitted to the state registrar of voters, once each calendar quarter, a certified list of all persons seventeen years of age and older in the state whose deaths have been reported to the bureau of vital records of the Iowa department of public health since the previous list of decedents was certified to the state registrar of voters. The list shall be submitted according to the specifications of the state registrar of voters and shall be transmitted to the state registrar of voters without charge for production or transmission. The commissioner shall, in the month following the end of a calendar quarter, run the statewide voter registration system’s matching program to determine whether a listed decedent was registered to vote in the county and shall immediately cancel the registration of any person named on the list of decedents.

48A.32 Destruction or removal of canceled voter registration records.

Twenty-two months after the next general election following the cancellation of a person’s voter registration, the commissioner may destroy all records of that person’s registration. At the discretion of the commissioner, canceled records may be donated to a historical society if all confidential information has been removed from the records.

48A.33 Declination of registration opportunity.

When a client or applicant of a voter registration agency declines to register to vote, the record of the declination shall be kept by the voter registration agency for twenty-two months after the next general election after which time the agency may destroy the records.

SUBCHAPTER VI – RETENTION AND STORAGE OF VOTER REGISTRATION RECORDS

48A.34 Confidentiality of certain records.

Voter registration records are available for public inspection at reasonable times at the office of the county commissioner. The commissioner and any voter registration agency which has custody of voter registration records shall take the necessary steps to ensure that the name of the agency at which the voter registration form was submitted remains confidential.

48A.35 Voter registration records under control of the commissioner.

The county commissioner of elections shall be responsible for the maintenance and storage of all paper and electronic voter registration records in the commissioner’s custody. Original registration records shall not be removed from the commissioner’s office or from any other designated permanent storage location except upon request of a county commissioner or a court order, as provided in subsection 2, or as provided by section 48A.32. The state registrar of voters and the state voter registration commission shall adopt administrative rules to implement this section.
The county commissioner of elections may store an unaltered version of completed voter registration applications, including the applicant’s signature, as an electronic document, or in another format suitable for preserving information in the registration record, regardless of the format in which the application is submitted.

48A.36 Electronic registration record retention in voter registration agencies.

Voter registration agencies and the office of driver services of the state department of transportation may electronically transmit registration data to the state registrar of voters, who shall distribute the information, electronically or otherwise, to the appropriate commissioner in accordance with rules of the state voter registration commission and the state registrar of voters. The state agency originating the registration data shall permanently retain an electronic copy of the form completed by the registrant, including the registrant’s signature, and shall develop procedures for the retrieval and printing of that electronic document. A printed copy of an electronic registration document shall be made only upon the agency’s receipt of a court order.
Upon receipt of electronic registration data under subsection 1, the state registrar of voters shall cause the updating of registration records. The registrar shall notify the appropriate commissioner of the actions taken.

48A.37 Electronic registration records.

Voter registration records shall be maintained in an electronic medium. 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.
Electronic records shall include a status code designating whether the records are active, inactive, incomplete, pending, or canceled. Inactive records are records of registered voters to whom notices have been sent pursuant to section 48A.28, subsection 3, and who have not returned the card or otherwise responded to the notice, and those records have been designated inactive pursuant to section 48A.29. Inactive records are also records of registered voters to whom notices have been sent pursuant to section 48A.26A and who have not responded to the notice. Incomplete records are records missing required information pursuant to section 48A.11, subsection 8. Pending records are records of applicants whose applications have not been verified pursuant to section 48A.25A. Canceled records are records that have been canceled pursuant to section 48A.30. All other records are active records. An inactive record shall be made active 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.

48A.38 Lists of voters.

Any person may request of the registrar and shall receive, upon payment of the cost of preparation, a list of registered voters and other data on registration and participation in elections, in accordance with the following requirements and limitations:
The registrar shall prepare each list requested within fourteen days of receipt of the request, except that the registrar shall not be required to prepare any list within seven days of the close of registration for any regularly scheduled election if the preparation of the list would impede the preparation of election registers for that election.
Each list shall be as current as possible, but shall in all cases reflect voter activity reported to any commissioner twenty-eight or more days before preparation of the list.
Each list shall be in the order and form specified by the list purchaser, and shall contain the registration data specified by the list purchaser, provided compliance with the request is within the capability of the record maintenance system used by the registrar.
Lists prepared shall not include inactive records unless specifically requested by the requester.
The registrar shall prepare updates to lists at least biweekly, and after the close of registration for a regularly scheduled election, but before the election, if requested to do so at the time a list is purchased. All updates shall be made available to all requesters at the same time, and shall be in the order and form specified by each requester.
The county commissioner of registration and the state registrar of voters shall remove a voter’s whole or partial social security number, as applicable, voter identification number assigned by the state commissioner, Iowa driver’s license number, or Iowa nonoperator’s identification card number from a voter registration list prepared pursuant to this section.
The registrar shall update information on participation in an election no later than sixty days after each election.
The registrar shall maintain a log of the name, address, and telephone number of every person who receives a list under this section, and of every person who reviews registration records in the office of the registrar. Commissioners of registration shall maintain a similar log in their offices of those who receive a list from the commissioner or who review registration records in the commissioner’s office. Logs maintained under this subsection are public records, and shall be available for public inspection at reasonable times.

48A.39 Use of registration information.

Information about individual registrants obtained from voter registration records shall be used only to request the registrant’s vote at an election, or for another genuine political purpose, or for a bona fide official purpose by an elected official, or for bona fide political research, but shall not be used for any commercial purposes.

SUBCHAPTER VII – CRIMINAL PENALTIES

48A.41 Criminal penalties. Repealed by 2002 Acts, ch 1071, §15. See chapter 39A.

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Title II – Chapter 49

CHAPTER 49 – METHOD OF CONDUCTING ELECTIONS

49.1 Elections included.

The provisions of this chapter shall apply to all elections except those special elections which by the terms of the statutes authorizing them are exempt from the provisions of this chapter.

49.3 Election precincts.

Election precincts shall be drawn and named or numbered by the county board of supervisors or the temporary county redistricting commission in all unincorporated portions of each county, and by the city council of each city in which it is necessary or deemed advisable to establish more than one precinct. Precincts established as provided by this chapter shall be used for all elections, except where temporary merger of established precincts is specifically permitted by law for certain elections, and no political subdivision shall concurrently maintain different sets of precincts for use in different types of elections. Election precincts shall be drawn so that:

No precinct shall have a total population in excess of three thousand five hundred, as shown by the most recent federal decennial census.
Each precinct is contained wholly within an existing legislative district, except:
When adherence to this requirement would force creation of a precinct which includes the places of residence of fewer than fifty registered voters.
When the general assembly by resolution designates a period after the federal decennial census is taken and before the next succeeding reapportionment of legislative districts required by Article III, section 35 of the Constitution of the State of Iowa as amended in 1968, during which precincts may be drawn without regard to the boundaries of existing legislative districts.
Except as provided in section 49.4, subsection 3, precincts established after July 1, 1994, shall be composed of contiguous territory within a single county. The boundaries of all precincts shall follow the boundaries of areas for which official population figures are available from the most recent federal decennial census.
All election districts, including city wards and county supervisor districts, shall be drawn according to the following standards:
All boundaries, except for supervisor districts for counties using supervisor representation plan “two” pursuant to section 331.209, shall follow precinct boundaries.
All districts shall be as nearly equal as practicable to the ideal population for the districts as determined by dividing the number of districts to be established into the population of the city or county.
All districts shall be composed of contiguous territory as compact as practicable.
Consideration shall not be given to the addresses of incumbent officeholders, political affiliations of registered voters, previous election results, or demographic information other than population head counts, except as required by the Constitution and the laws of the United States.
Cities shall not be divided into two or more county supervisor districts unless the population of the city is greater than the ideal size of a district. Cities shall be divided into the smallest number of county supervisor districts possible.

49.4 Precincts drawn by county board.

Where action by the board of supervisors is necessary or deemed advisable by the board of supervisors or the temporary county redistricting commission, the boundaries of precincts shall be definitely fixed by ordinance. A public hearing shall be held before final action is taken to adopt changes in the precinct boundaries. Notice of the date, time, and place of the hearing shall be given as provided in chapter 21. In the absence of contrary action by the board of supervisors or the temporary county redistricting commission, each civil township which does not include any part of a city of over two thousand population, and the portion of each civil township containing any such city which lies outside the corporate limits of that city or those cities, shall constitute an election precinct. If no action is necessary to change the county election precincts, the board of supervisors shall certify the retained boundaries to the state commissioner, as required by section 49.7.

Where a civil township, or the portion of a civil township outside the corporate limits of any city of over two thousand population contained within the civil township, is divided into two or more election precincts, the precincts shall be so drawn that their total populations shall be reasonably equal on the basis of data available from the most recent federal decennial census, except where the division is necessary to comply with section 49.3, subsection 3.
Counties using alternative supervisor representation plans “two” or “three”, as described in section 331.206, shall be apportioned into single-member supervisor districts on the basis of population. In counties using representation plan “three”, the boundaries of supervisor districts shall follow the boundaries of election precincts.
a. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, Indian settlement land held in trust by the secretary of the interior of the United States for the Sac and Fox tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa and its trust land contiguous to the Indian settlement lying in Tama, Toledo and Indian Village townships of Tama county shall be an election precinct. The polling place of that precinct shall be located on the Indian settlement in a structure designated by the election commissioner of Tama county.
The Indian settlement precinct shall be redrawn to include land contiguous to the Indian settlement when such land is purchased by the settlement and added to the Indian settlement land held in trust by the secretary of the interior of the United States. Upon recording of the deed transferring the land to the United States in trust, the county recorder shall notify the county commissioner of that fact. If the commissioner is notified more than seventy days before the next scheduled election, the commissioner shall redraw the precinct for that election. The commissioner shall notify the board of supervisors of the redrawn precinct boundaries and shall certify the redrawn boundaries to the state commissioner. Land completely surrounded by the boundaries of the Indian settlement precinct, but not included in the settlement precinct, shall be included in the precinct in which such land was located prior to redrawing of the Indian settlement precinct. The commissioner shall notify registered voters in each of the redrawn precincts of the change in the precincts and the proper polling place for those affected voters.

49.5 City precincts.

1. As used in this section:

a. “The convenience of the voters” refers to but is not necessarily limited to the use of precinct boundaries which can be readily described to and identified by voters and for which there is ease of access by voters to their respective precinct polling places by reasonably direct routes of travel.

b. “Promoting electoral efficiency” means reducing the cost of staffing election precincts by requiring cities to avoid creating more precincts than is reasonably necessary to provide voters access to voting.

2. The council of a city where establishment of more than one precinct is necessary or deemed advisable shall, at the time required by law, divide the city into the number of election precincts as will best serve the convenience of the voters while promoting electoral efficiency. The precinct boundaries shall conform to section 49.3 and shall be described in an ordinance adopted by the council within the time required by section 49.7.

3. Before final adoption of any change in election precinct boundaries pursuant to this section or section 49.6, the council shall permit the commissioner not less than seven and not more than ten days’ time to offer written comments to the council on the proposed reprecincting. If the commissioner recommends changes in the proposed reprecincting which the commissioner concludes could better serve the convenience of the voters or could promote electoral efficiency, including lowering election costs, the council shall, if no changes to the reprecincting are made, include reasons in the ordinance for not adopting the proposed changes of the commissioner. A public hearing shall be held before final adoption of the ordinance. Notice of the date, time, and place of the hearing shall be given as provided in chapter 21.

49.6 Power to combine township and city precincts.

Election precincts composed partially of unincorporated territory and partially of all or any part of a city may be established within a single county in any manner which is not contrary to section 49.3. An agreement mutually satisfactory to the board of supervisors or the temporary county redistricting commission and the city council of the city involved shall be adopted and a copy of the agreement shall be submitted to the state commissioner as part of the certification of precinct boundaries required by section 49.7.

49.7 Reprecincting schedule and filing requirements.

Where reprecincting is necessary, city councils and county boards of supervisors or the temporary county redistricting commission shall make any necessary changes in precincts as soon as possible after the redistricting of congressional and legislative districts becomes law.
a. City councils shall complete any changes in precinct and ward boundaries necessary to comply with sections 49.3 and 49.5 not later than sixty days after the redistricting of congressional and legislative districts becomes law, or September 1 of the year immediately following each year in which the federal decennial census is taken, whichever is later. Different compliance dates may be set by the general assembly by joint resolution.
County boards of supervisors or the temporary county redistricting commission shall complete any changes in precinct and supervisor district boundaries necessary to comply with sections 49.3, 49.4, and 331.209 not later than ninety days after the redistricting of congressional and legislative districts becomes law, or October 15 of the year immediately following each year in which the federal decennial census is taken, whichever is later. Different compliance dates may be set by the general assembly by joint resolution.
Each county board of supervisors or the temporary county redistricting commission and city council shall immediately notify the state commissioner and the commissioner when the boundaries of election precincts are changed, and shall provide a map showing the new boundary lines. Each county board or the temporary county redistricting commission and city council shall certify to the state commissioner the populations of the new election precincts or retained election precincts as determined by the latest federal decennial census. Materials filed with the state commissioner shall be postmarked no later than the deadline specified in this section.
If the state commissioner determines that a county board or the temporary county redistricting commission or city council has failed to make the required changes by the dates specified by this section, the state commissioner shall make or cause to be made the necessary changes as soon as possible. The state commissioner shall assess to the county or city, as the case may be, the expenses incurred in making the necessary changes. The state commissioner may request the services of personnel and materials available to the legislative services agency to assist the state commissioner in making required changes in election precincts which become the state commissioner’s responsibility.
Precinct boundaries shall become effective on January 15 of the second year following the year in which the census was taken and shall be used for all subsequent elections. Precinct boundaries drawn by the state commissioner shall be incorporated into the ordinances of the city or county.
Changes made to precincts in years other than the year following the year in which the federal decennial census is taken shall be filed with the state commissioner as soon as possible.

49.8 Changes in precincts.

After any required changes in precinct boundaries have been made following each federal decennial census, at the time established by or pursuant to section 49.7, the county board or city council shall make no further changes in precinct boundaries until after the next federal decennial census, except in the following circumstances:

When deemed necessary by the board of supervisors of any county because of a change in the location of the boundaries, dissolution or establishment of any civil township, the boundaries of precincts actually affected may be changed as necessary to conform to the new township boundaries.
When territory is annexed to a city the city council may attach all or any part of the annexed territory to any established precinct or precincts which are contiguous to the annexed territory, however this subsection shall not prohibit establishment of one or more new precincts in the annexed territory.
A city may have one special federal census taken each decade and the population figures obtained may be used to revise precinct boundaries in accordance with the requirements of sections 49.3 and 49.5.
If city population data certified by the United States bureau of the census following the federal decennial census is revised and the revision is certified by the United States bureau of the census, such revisions may be used to revise precinct and ward boundaries in accordance with the requirements of sections 49.3 and 49.5. The board of supervisors shall determine whether such revised population data affects the population equality of supervisor districts. If necessary, the temporary county redistricting commission shall be reconvened, notwithstanding section 331.210A, subsection 4, and supervisor districts shall be revised in accordance with the requirements of section 331.210A, subsection 2.
a. When the boundaries of a county supervisor, city council, or school director district, or any other district from which one or more members of any public representative body other than the general assembly are elected by the voters thereof, are changed by annexation or other means other than reprecincting, the change shall not result in the term of any officer elected from the former district being terminated before or extended beyond the expiration of the term to which the officer was last elected, except as provided under section 275.23A and section 331.209, subsection 1. If more than one incumbent officeholder resides in a district redrawn during reprecincting, their terms of office shall expire after the next election in the political subdivision.
When a vacancy occurs in the office of county supervisor, city council, or school director following the effective date of new district boundaries, the vacancy shall be filled using the new boundaries.
When a city is changing its form of government from one which has council members elected at large to one which has council members elected from wards, or is changing its number of council members elected from wards, the city council may redraw the precinct boundaries in accordance with sections 49.3 and 49.5 to coincide with the new ward boundaries.
Precinct boundaries established by or pursuant to section 49.3 or 49.4, and not changed under subsection 1 since the most recent federal decennial census, may be changed once during the period beginning January 1 of the second year following a year in which a federal decennial census is taken and ending June 30 of the year immediately following the year in which the next succeeding federal decennial census is taken, if the commissioner recommends and the board of supervisors finds that the change will effect a substantial savings in election costs. Changes made under this subsection shall be made not later than ninety-nine days before a primary election, unless the changes will not take effect until January 1 of the next even-numbered year.
Precinct boundaries established by a city council pursuant to section 49.5 or 49.6 and not changed under subsections 1 through 6 since the most recent federal decennial census, may be redrawn by the city council in accordance with sections 49.3 and 49.5 once during the period beginning January 1 of the second year following a year in which a federal decennial census is taken and ending June 30 of the year immediately following the year in which the next succeeding federal decennial census is taken, if the commissioner recommends that the change will effect a substantial savings in election costs. Changes made under this subsection shall be made not later than ninety-nine days before a city primary or runoff election, unless the changes will not take effect until January 1 of the next odd-numbered year.
When territory contiguous to the Indian settlement is added to the Indian settlement land held in trust by the secretary of the interior of the United States.

49.9 Proper place of voting.

Except as provided in section 49.11, subsection 3, paragraph “b”, and as required by the designation of a commissioner pursuant to section 49.21, subsection 1, a person shall not vote in any precinct but that of the person’s residence.

49.10 Polling places for certain precincts.

Polling places for precincts outside the limits of a city, but within the township, or originally within and set off as a separate township from the township in which the city is in whole or in part situated, and a polling place for a township which entirely surrounds another township containing a city, may be fixed at some room or rooms in the courthouse or in some other building within the limits of the city as the commissioner may provide.
If the commissioner determines, or if a petition be filed with the commissioner ninety days before any primary, general or special election stating that there is no suitable or adequate polling place within a township constituting a voting precinct and that it is desirable and to the interest of the voters of that township voting precinct that a voting place be designated for it outside its territorial limits, the commissioner shall fix a polling place for that precinct, outside its territorial limits, which the commissioner deems convenient to the electors of the township precinct. A petition submitted under this subsection must be signed by eligible electors of the precinct exceeding in number one-half the total number of votes cast in the township precinct for the office of president of the United States or governor, as the case may be, at the last preceding general election. When the commissioner has fixed such a polling place it shall remain the polling place at all subsequent primary, general and special elections, until such time as the commissioner shall fix a different polling place for the precinct.
In any city in which precinct lines have been changed to comply with section 49.5, the commissioner may fix the polling place for any precinct outside the boundaries of the precinct if there is no building or facility within the precinct suitable and available for use as a polling place. In so doing, the commissioner shall fix the polling place at the point nearest the precinct which is suitable and available for use as a polling place and is reasonably accessible to voters of the precinct.
A single room or area of any building or facility may be fixed as the polling place for more than one precinct. The location of each polling place shall be clearly marked within the room or area on the days on which elections are held as the location of the polling place of a particular precinct, and suitable arrangements shall be made within the room or area to prevent direct access from the polling place of any precinct to the polling place of any other precinct. When the commissioner has fixed such a polling place for any precinct it shall remain the polling place at all subsequent elections, except elections for which the precinct is merged with another precinct as permitted by section 49.11, until the boundaries of the precinct are changed or the commissioner fixes a new polling place, except that the polling place shall be changed to a point within the boundaries of the precinct at any time not less than sixty days before the next succeeding election that a building or facility suitable for such use becomes available within the precinct.
If two or more contiguous townships have been combined into one election precinct by the board of supervisors, the commissioner shall provide a polling place which is convenient to all of the electors in the precinct.

49.11 Notice of boundaries of precincts — merger or division.

1. The board of supervisors or the temporary county redistricting commission or city council shall number or name the precincts established by the supervisors or council pursuant to sections 49.3, 49.4, and 49.5. The boundaries of the precincts shall be recorded in the records of the board of supervisors, temporary county redistricting commission, or city council, as the case may be.

2. The board of supervisors or city council shall publish notice of changes in the county or city precinct boundaries in a newspaper of general circulation published in the county or city once each week for three consecutive weeks. The series of publications shall be made after the changes in the precincts have been approved by the state commissioner of elections. The last of the three publications shall be made no later than thirty days before the next general election. A map showing the new boundaries may be used. No publication is necessary if no changes were made.

3. The precincts established pursuant to section 49.7 shall not be changed except in the manner provided by law. However, the county commissioner of elections may:

a. Consolidate two or more precincts into one.

(1) However, the commissioner shall not do so if there is filed with the commissioner at least twenty days before the election a petition signed by twenty-five or more eligible electors of any precinct requesting that it not be merged with any other precinct. There shall be attached to the petition the affidavit of an eligible elector of the precinct that the signatures on the petition are genuine and that all of the signers are to the best of the affiant’s knowledge and belief eligible electors of the precinct.

(2) If a special election is to be held in which only those registered voters residing in a specified portion of any established precinct are entitled to vote, that portion of the precinct may be merged by the commissioner with one or more other established precincts or portions of established precincts for the special election, and the right to petition against merger of a precinct shall not apply.

(1) Establish voting centers for the regular city election, city primary election, city runoff election, regular school election, and special elections. Any registered voter who is eligible to vote in the regular city election may vote at any voting center in the city. Any registered voter who is eligible to vote at the regular school election may vote at any voting center in the school district. Any registered voter who is eligible to vote in a special election may vote at any voting center established for that special election. For purposes of section 48A.7A, a voting center shall be considered the polling place for the precinct in which a person resides.

(2) The county commissioner of elections shall designate the location of each voting center to be used in the election.

(3) A voting center designated under this subsection is subject to the requirements of section 49.21 relating to accessibility to persons who are elderly and persons with disabilities and relating to the posting of signs. The location of each voting center shall be published by the county commissioner of elections in the same manner as the location of polling places is required to be published.

(4) Pursuant to section 39A.2, subsection 1, paragraph “b”, subparagraph (3), a person commits the crime of election misconduct in the first degree if the person knowingly votes or attempts to vote at more than one voting center for the same election.

c. Divide any precinct permanently established under this section which contains all or any parts of two or more mutually exclusive political subdivisions, either or both of which is independently electing one or more officers or voting on one or more questions on the same date, into two or more temporary precincts and designate a polling place for each.

d. Consolidate precincts for any election under any of the following circumstances:

(1) One of the precincts involved consists entirely of dormitories that are closed at the time the election is held.

(2) The consolidated precincts, if established as a permanent precinct, would meet all requirements of section 49.3, and a combined total of no more than three hundred fifty voters voted in the consolidated precincts at the last preceding similar election.

(3) The city council of a special charter city with a population of three thousand five hundred or less which is divided into council wards requests the commissioner to consolidate two or more precincts for any election.

4. Notice of changes made pursuant to subsection 3 shall be reported to the state commissioner at least twenty-five days before the next election in which the temporary precinct will be active, or, for elections held pursuant to section 69.14 while the general assembly is in session or within forty-five days of the convening of a session of the general assembly, at least ten days before election day.

49.12 Election boards.

There shall be appointed in each election precinct an election board which shall ordinarily consist of three or five precinct election officials. At the commissioner’s discretion, additional precinct election officials may be appointed to work at any election. Not more than a simple majority of the members of the election board in any precinct shall be members of the same political party or organization if one or more registered voters of another party or organization are qualified and willing to serve on the board.

49.13 Commissioner to appoint members, chairperson.

The membership of each precinct election board shall be appointed by the commissioner, not less than fifteen days before each election held in the precinct, from the election board panel drawn up as provided in section 49.15. Precinct election officials shall be registered voters of the county, or other political subdivision within which precincts have been merged across county lines pursuant to section 49.11, subsection 3, paragraph “a”, in which they are appointed. Preference shall be given to appointment of residents of a precinct to serve as precinct election officials for that precinct, but the commissioner may appoint other residents of the county where necessary.
For all elections in which a partisan office is on the ballot, election boards shall include members of the two political parties whose candidates for president of the United States or for governor, as the case may be, received the largest and next largest number of votes in the county at the last general election. Election boards may also include persons not members of either of these parties. However, persons who are not members of either of these political parties shall not comprise more than one-third of the membership of an election board.
In appointing the election board to serve for any election in which candidates’ names do appear under the heading of these political parties, the commissioner shall give preference to the persons designated by the respective county chairpersons of these political parties for placement on the election board panel, as provided by section 49.15, in the order that they were so designated. However, the commissioner may for good cause decline to appoint a designee of a county chairperson if that chairperson is notified and allowed two working days to designate a replacement.
In appointing the election board to serve for a nonpartisan election, the commissioner may give preference to the persons who are willing to serve without pay identified pursuant to section 49.15, subsection 2, paragraph “b”, by the city council or the school board.
The commissioner shall designate one member of each precinct election board as chairperson of that board. At the discretion of the commissioner, two people who are members of different political parties may be appointed as co-chairpersons. The co-chairpersons shall have joint authority over the work of the precinct election board.
The commissioner may appoint high school students who are not yet qualified to be registered voters to serve as precinct election board members.
To qualify to serve as a precinct election board member, a high school student shall:

(1) Be a United States citizen.

(2) Be at least seventeen years of age and a student in good standing enrolled in a public or private secondary school in Iowa.

(3) Receive credit in at least four subjects, each of one period or hour, or the equivalent thereof, at all times. The eligible subjects are language arts, social studies, mathematics, science, health, physical education, fine arts, foreign language, and career and technical education. Coursework taken as a postsecondary enrollment option for which a school district or accredited nonpublic school grants academic credit toward high school graduation shall be used in determining eligibility. A student shall not be denied eligibility if the student’s school program deviates from the traditional two-semester school year. Each student wishing to participate under this subsection shall be passing all coursework for which credit is given and shall be making adequate progress toward graduation requirements at the end of each grading period. At the end of a grading period that is the final grading period in a school year, a student who receives a failing grade in any course for which credit is awarded is ineligible to participate under this subsection. A student who is eligible at the close of a semester is academically eligible to participate under this subsection until the beginning of the subsequent semester. A student with a disability who has an individualized education program shall not be denied eligibility to participate under this subsection on the basis of scholarship if the student is making adequate progress, as determined by school officials, towards the goals and objectives of the student’s individualized education program.

(4) At the time of appointment, have the written approval of the principal of the secondary school the student attends.

(5) Have the written approval of the student’s parent or legal guardian.

(6) Have satisfactorily completed the training course for election officials.

(7) Meet all other qualifications for appointment and service as an election board member except the requirement of being a registered voter.

No more than one student precinct election board member may serve on each precinct election board.
Student precinct election board members shall not serve as the chairperson of a precinct election board.
Before serving at a partisan election, the student precinct election board member must certify in writing to the commissioner the political party with which the student is affiliated.
Student precinct election board members shall not be allowed to work more hours than allowed under the applicable labor laws.
A student who serves on a precinct election board is not eligible to receive class credit for such service unless such service qualifies as meeting the requirements of a class assignment imposed on all students in the class.
No later than fourteen days after the date of the election, the commissioner shall report to the appropriate secondary school the following information:

(1) The name of each student attending the school who served as a precinct election board member on election day.

(2) The number of hours the student served as a precinct election board member.

(3) The precinct number and polling place location where the student served as a precinct election board member.

(4) Any other information the commissioner deems appropriate or that is requested by the school.

49.14 Substitute precinct election officials.

The commissioner may appoint substitute precinct election officials as alternates for election board members. The responsibilities and duties of a precinct election official present at the time the polling place was opened on the day of an election may be assumed at any later time that day by a substitute appointed as an alternate. The substitute shall serve either for the balance of that election day or for any shorter period of time the commissioner may designate. At partisan elections, a substitute precinct election official assuming the duties of a precinct election official shall be a member of the same political party as the precinct election official whose duties are being assumed, unless substitution of a precinct election official not of the same political party results in no more than a simple majority of the total number of precinct election officials serving in that precinct being members of the same political party.
Substitute precinct election officials shall be appointed and shall serve in accordance with sections 49.12, 49.13, 49.15, and 49.16, and shall receive compensation as provided by sections 49.20 and 49.125. Upon arriving at the polling place and prior to performing any official duty, a substitute precinct election official shall take the oath required by section 49.75.
The commissioner shall not employ substitute precinct election officials in a partisan election unless:
The election board panel drawn up pursuant to section 49.15 contains the names of a sufficient number of political party designees to permit appointment of both the regular precinct election officials and any substitute precinct election officials from that panel; or
The commissioner has informed the county chairpersons of the political parties referred to in section 49.13, subsection 2, thirty days prior to the date of the election, of intent to appoint substitute precinct election officials and has allowed ten days thereafter for the respective county chairpersons to provide additional names of persons from whom the substitute precinct election officials shall be appointed. If a county chairperson fails to provide additional names after being so notified, the commissioner may appoint persons known to be members of the appropriate political party or parties.

49.15 Commissioner to draw up election board panel.

Not less than twenty days before each primary election, the commissioner shall draw up for each precinct an election board panel from which members of the precinct election board shall be appointed for each election held in the precinct during the ensuing two years.
a. Each panel shall include members of each of the political parties referred to in section 49.13, whose names may be designated by the county chairpersons of each of these political parties not less than thirty days prior to each primary election. The commissioner may place on the election board panel names of persons known by the commissioner to be members of these political parties, if the respective county chairpersons fail to designate a sufficient number of names, and may also add names of persons, whether or not they are members of either of these political parties, who have advised the commissioner they are willing to serve on the election board.
The commissioner may also place on the election board panel names of persons whom either the city council of a city or a school board has advised the commissioner at least thirty days before each primary election are willing to serve without pay at elections conducted for that school district or city, as the case may be, during the tenure of the election board panel on which these names are included.
In drawing up precinct election board panels, the commissioner may use student precinct election board members appointed pursuant to section 49.13, subsection 6.

49.16 Tenure of election board panel.

Each person whose name is placed on the election board panel as provided in section 49.15, shall remain available for appointment to the election board of the precinct, subject to the provisions of section 49.12, until a new panel is drawn up unless the person’s name is sooner deleted from the panel by the commissioner. The election board for each election held in the precinct shall be drawn from the panel, however:

No person shall serve on the election board at any election in which the person or any person related to the person within the third degree of consanguinity or affinity is a candidate to be voted upon in that precinct, and it shall be the responsibility of each person whose name is listed on the election board panel to notify the commissioner not less than fifteen days before any election at which the person is ineligible to serve by reason of this subsection. However, this subsection shall not apply in the case of any candidate or relative of a candidate seeking an office or nomination which no opposing candidate is seeking. Any candidate for an office or for nomination to an office to which two or more persons are to be elected at large is unopposed, for the purpose of this subsection, if the number of candidates for the office or nomination does not exceed the number of persons to be elected or nominated.
When all or portions of two or more precincts are merged for any election as permitted by section 49.11, subsection 3, paragraph “a”, the commissioner may appoint the election board for the merged precinct from the election board panels of any of the precincts so merged. When any permanent precinct is divided as permitted by section 49.11, subsection 3, paragraph “c”, the commissioner shall so far as possible appoint the election board for each of the temporary precincts so created from the election board panel of the permanent precinct.
Persons whose names are listed on the election board panel shall not be required to serve on the election board for any election which by the terms of the statute authorizing it is exempt from the provisions of this chapter. The necessary officers for such elections shall be designated as provided by law or, if there is no applicable statute, by the commissioner.
In appointing the election board for any election conducted for a city or a school district, the commissioner may give preference to any persons who are willing to serve without pay at those elections.
A person shall not serve on the precinct election board as a representative of a political party if the person has changed political party affiliation from that of the political party which selected the person to serve as a precinct election official. If a precinct election official records a change of political party, the official’s name shall be removed from the list of precinct election officials for that political party. The chairperson of the political party shall be notified of the vacancy and may designate a replacement. If the chairperson of another political party later designates the person as a precinct election official, the person may serve, if qualified. If a precinct election official serving on the board as a representative of a political party records a change of political party to vote absentee under chapter 53 and after voting absentee records a change of political party back to the political party the official represents on the precinct election board, the official’s name shall be removed from the list of precinct election officials for that election. The chairperson of the political party shall be notified of the vacancy and may designate a replacement for that election.

49.17 Reserved.

49.18 Vacancies occurring on election day.

If, at the opening of the polls in any precinct, there shall be a vacancy in the office of the precinct election official, the vacancy shall be filled by the commissioner or, with the commissioner’s approval and for that election only by the members of the board present, consideration being given to the political party affiliation of the person appointed if necessary in order to comply with the requirements of sections 49.12 and 49.13.

49.19 Unpaid officials, paper ballots optional for certain city elections. Repealed by 2010 Acts, ch 1026, §16, 17.

49.20 Compensation of members.

The members of election boards shall be deemed temporary state employees who are compensated by the county in which they serve, and shall receive compensation at a rate established by the board of supervisors, which shall be not less than the minimum wage established in section 91D.1, subsection 1, paragraph “b”, while engaged in the discharge of their duties and shall be reimbursed for actual and necessary travel expense at a rate determined by the board of supervisors, except that persons who have advised the commissioner prior to their appointment to the election board that they are willing to serve without pay at elections conducted for a school district or a city shall receive no compensation for service at those elections. Compensation shall be paid to members of election boards only after the vote has been canvassed and it has been determined in the course of the canvass that the election record certificate has been properly executed by the election board.

49.21 Polling places — accessibility — signs.

a. It is the responsibility of the commissioner to designate a polling place for each precinct in the county. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, for city and school elections the commissioner shall, whenever practicable, designate polling places so that an eligible elector will be assigned to vote at the same polling place at which the eligible elector would be assigned to vote at the general election. However, if a city does not have a polling place designated for the general election precinct, the commissioner may designate an additional polling place for the precinct in that city.

b. Each polling place designated shall be accessible to persons with disabilities. However, if the commissioner is unable to provide an accessible polling place for a precinct, the commissioner shall apply for a temporary waiver of the accessibility requirement. The state commissioner shall adopt rules in accordance with chapter 17A prescribing standards for determining whether a polling place is accessible and the process for applying for a temporary waiver of accessibility.

a. Upon the application of the commissioner, the authority which has control of any buildings or grounds supported by taxation under the laws of this state shall make available the necessary space therein for the purpose of holding elections, without charge for the use thereof.

b. Except as otherwise provided by law, the polling place in each precinct in the state shall be located in a central location if a building is available. However, first consideration shall be given to the use of public buildings supported by taxation.

a. On the day of an election, the commissioner shall post a sign stating “vote here” at the entrance to each driveway leading to the building where a polling place is located. The sign must be visible from the street or highway fronting the driveway, but shall not encroach upon the right-of-way of such street or highway.

b. The commissioner shall post a sign at the entrance to the polling place indicating the election precinct number or name, and displaying a street map showing the boundaries of the precinct.

4. The commissioner shall remove or obscure from the view of voters any published material displaying the name of a candidate or elected official other than a ballot or sample ballot or envelope.

49.22 Reserved.

49.23 Notice of change.

When a change is made from the usual polling place for the precinct or when the precinct polling place for any primary or general election is different from that used for the precinct at the last preceding primary or general election, notice of such change shall be given by publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the precinct not more than twenty nor less than four days before the day on which the election is to be held. In addition a notice of the present polling place for the precinct shall be posted, not later than the hour at which the polls open on the day of the election, on each door to the usual or former polling place in the precinct and shall remain there until the polls have closed.

49.24 Schoolhouses as polling places.

In precincts outside of cities the election shall, if practicable, be held in a public school building. Any damage to the building or furniture resulting from the election shall be paid by the county.

49.25 Equipment required at polling places.

The commissioner shall determine pursuant to section 49.26, subsection 2, in advance of an election whether ballots voted in that election shall be counted by automatic tabulating equipment or by precinct election officials. If automatic tabulating equipment will be used, the commissioner shall furnish voting equipment for use by voters with disabilities.
The commissioner shall furnish to each precinct, in advance of each election, voting booths in the following number:
At each regularly scheduled election, at least one for every three hundred fifty voters who voted in the last preceding similar election held in the precinct.
At any special election at which the ballot contains only a single public measure or only candidates for a single office or position, the number determined by the commissioner.
The commissioner shall furnish to each precinct the necessary ballot boxes, suitably equipped with seals or locks and keys, and voting booths. The voting booths shall provide for voting in secrecy. At least one voting booth in each precinct shall be accessible to persons with disabilities. Ballot boxes shall be locked or sealed before the polls open and shall remain locked or sealed until the polls are closed, except to provide necessary service to malfunctioning automatic tabulating equipment. If a ballot box is opened prior to the closing of the polls, two precinct election officials not of the same party shall be present and observe the ballot box being opened.
Secrecy folders or sleeves shall be provided for use at any precinct where ballots are used which cannot be folded to obscure the marks made by the voters.

49.26 Commissioner to decide method of voting — counting of ballots.

In all elections regulated by this chapter, the voting shall be by paper ballots printed and distributed as provided by law, or by voting systems meeting the requirements of chapter 52.
a. The commissioner shall determine in advance of each election conducted for a city of three thousand five hundred or less population or for any school district whether the ballots will be counted by automatic tabulating equipment or by the precinct election officials. In making such a determination, the commissioner shall consider voter turnout for recent similar elections and factors considered likely to affect voter turnout for the forthcoming election.
If the commissioner concludes, pursuant to paragraph “a”, that voting will probably be so light as to make counting of ballots by the precinct election officials less expensive than preparation and use of automatic tabulating equipment, paper ballots may be used, subject to paragraph “c”. If paper ballots are used, the commissioner shall use ballots and instructions similar to those used when the ballots are counted by automatic tabulating equipment.
Notwithstanding a determination by the commissioner pursuant to paragraph “b”, upon receipt of a petition signed by not less than one hundred eligible electors, the commissioner shall count the ballots at an election described in paragraph “a” using automatic tabulating equipment. A petition filed under this paragraph must be received by the commissioner not later than 5:00 p.m. on the forty-second day before the election.

49.27 Reserved.

49.28 Commissioner to furnish registers and supplies.

The commissioner shall prepare and furnish to each precinct an election register and all other books, forms, materials, equipment, and supplies necessary to conduct the election.
a. After the registration deadline and before election day the commissioner shall prepare an election register for each precinct in which voting will occur on the day of the election. The precinct election register shall be a list of the names and addresses of all registered voters of the precinct. Inactive records listed in the election register shall be clearly identified with a special mark or symbol.
When a precinct is divided by a district boundary, and some, but not all, registered voters of the precinct may vote on an issue or office from that district, the election register shall clearly indicate which of the registered voters are entitled to vote in the district.

49.29 Repealed by 97 Acts, ch 170, §93.

49.30 All candidates and issues on one ballot — exceptions.

1. All constitutional amendments, all public measures, and the names of all candidates, other than presidential electors, to be voted for in each election precinct, shall be printed on one ballot, except that separate ballots are authorized when it is not possible to include all offices and public measures on a single ballot. In the event that it is not possible to include all offices and public measures on a single ballot, separate ballots may be provided for nonpartisan offices, judges, or public measures.

2. If printed on the same ballot, the offices of political subdivisions shall, if applicable, be printed in the following order:

a. Those of a county.

b. Those of a city.

c. Those of a school district.

d. Those of a merged area.

e. Those of any other political subdivision.

3. If printed on the same ballot, the public measures of political subdivisions shall be printed in the same order as provided for offices of the political subdivisions.

49.31 Arrangement of names on ballot — restrictions.

a. All ballots shall be arranged with the names of candidates for each office listed below the office title. For partisan elections the name of the political party or organization which nominated each candidate shall be listed after or below each candidate’s name. The state commissioner may prescribe, and a county commissioner may use, uniform abbreviations for political parties and organizations.

(1) The commissioner shall determine the order of candidates on the ballot as provided in this paragraph. The order shall be the same for each office on the ballot and for each precinct in the county voting in the election.

(2) The state commissioner shall compile a list of each county in the state in alphabetical order and assign a number to each county such that the first county listed is number one, the second county listed is number two, and continuing in descending order in the same manner. The commissioner shall put in alphabetical order the top two political parties receiving the highest votes from the most recent election.

(3) The commissioner of each county assigned an even number pursuant to subparagraph (2) shall arrange the ballot as follows:

(a) The candidates of the first political party by alphabetical order pursuant to subparagraph (2) shall appear first on the ballot for the first general election at which the president of the United States is to be elected following the effective date of this division of this Act and second on the ballot for the first general election at which the governor will be elected following the effective date of this division of this Act and second on the ballot for the second general election at which the president of the United States is to be elected following the effective date of this division of this Act and first on the ballot for the second general election at which the governor will be elected following the effective date of this division of this Act, and thereafter alternating with the candidates of the second political party by alphabetical order pursuant to subparagraph (2).

(b) The candidates of the second political party by alphabetical order pursuant to subparagraph (2) shall appear second on the ballot for the first general election at which the president of the United States is to be elected following the effective date of this division of this Act and first on the ballot for the first general election at which the governor will be elected following the effective date of this division of this Act and first on the ballot for the second general election at which the president of the United States is to be elected following the effective date of this division of this Act and second on the ballot for the second general election at which the governor will be elected following the effective date of this division of this Act and thereafter alternating with the candidates of the first political party by alphabetical order pursuant to subparagraph (2).

(4) The commissioner of each county assigned an odd number pursuant to subparagraph (2) shall arrange the ballot as follows:

(a) The candidates of the second political party by alphabetical order pursuant to subparagraph (2) shall appear first on the ballot for the first general election at which the president of the United States is to be elected following the effective date of this division of this Act and second on the ballot for the first general election at which the governor will be elected following the effective date of this division of this Act and second on the ballot for the second general election at which the president of the United States is to be elected following the effective date of this division of this Act and first on the ballot for the second general election at which the governor will be elected following the effective date of this division of this Act and thereafter alternating with the candidates of the first political party by alphabetical order pursuant to subparagraph (2).

(b) The candidates of the first political party by alphabetical order pursuant to subparagraph (2) shall appear second on the ballot for the first general election at which the president of the United States is to be elected following the effective date of this division of this Act and first on the ballot for the first general election at which the governor will be elected following the effective date of this division of this Act and first on the ballot for the second general election at which the president of the United States is to be elected following the effective date of this division of this Act and second on the ballot for the second general election at which the governor will be elected following the effective date of this division of this Act and thereafter alternating with the candidates of the second political party by alphabetical order pursuant to subparagraph (2).

(5) The commissioner shall determine the order of candidates of nonparty political organizations on the ballot. The order shall be the same for each office on the ballot and for each precinct in the county voting in the election.

a. The commissioner shall prepare a list of the election precincts of the county, by arranging the various townships and cities in the county in alphabetical order, and the wards or precincts in each city or township in numerical order under the name of such city or township.

b. Notwithstanding any provision of subsection 1, paragraph “b”, to the contrary, the commissioner shall then arrange the surnames of each political party’s candidates for each office to which two or more persons are to be elected at large alphabetically for the respective offices for the first precinct on the list; thereafter, for each political party and for each succeeding precinct, the names appearing first for the respective offices in the last preceding precinct shall be placed last, so that the names that were second before the change shall be first after the change. The commissioner may also rotate the names of candidates of a political party in the reverse order of that provided in this subsection or alternate the rotation so that the candidates of different parties shall not be paired as they proceed through the rotation.

c. On the general election ballot the names of candidates for the nonpartisan offices listed in section 39.21 shall be arranged by drawing lots for position. The commissioner shall hold the drawing on the first business day following the deadline for filing of nomination certificates or petitions with the commissioner for the general election pursuant to section 44.4. If a candidate withdraws, dies, or is removed from the ballot after the ballot position of names has been determined, such candidate’s name shall be removed from the ballot, and the order of the remaining names shall not be changed.

d. On the regular and special city election and school election ballots the names of candidates for city, school district, and merged area offices shall be arranged by drawing lots for position. The commissioner shall hold the drawing on the second business day following the deadline for filing of nomination papers or petitions under sections 260C.15, 277.4, and 376.4. If a candidate withdraws, dies, or is removed from the ballot after the ballot position of names has been determined, such candidate’s name shall be removed from the ballot, and the order of the remaining names shall not be changed.

3. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, paragraph “d”, the ballots for any special election or any other election at which any office is to be filled on a nonpartisan basis and the statutes governing the office to be filled are silent as to the arrangement of names on the ballot, shall contain the names of all nominees or candidates arranged in alphabetical order by surname under the heading of the office to be filled. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, paragraph “d”, when a special election or any other election at which an office is to be filled on a nonpartisan basis is held in more than one precinct, the candidates’ names shall be rotated on the ballot from precinct to precinct in the manner prescribed by subsection 2 unless there are no more candidates for an office than the number of persons to be elected to that office.

4. The heading for each office on the ballot shall be immediately followed by a notation stating, “Vote for no more than ___”, and indicating the maximum number of nominees or candidates for that office for whom each elector may vote.

5. At the end of the list of candidates for each office listed on the ballot one or more blank lines and voting positions shall be printed to allow the elector to write in the name of any person for whom the elector desires to vote for any office or nomination on the ballot. The number of write-in lines shall equal the number of votes that can be cast for that office.

6. The name of a candidate printed on the ballot shall not include parentheses, quotation marks, or any personal or professional title.

7. For the purpose of ballot rotation the absentee ballot and special voters precinct may be considered a separate precinct.

49.32 Candidates for president in place of electors.

The candidates for electors of president and vice president of any political party or group of petitioners shall not be placed on the ballot, but in the years in which they are to be elected the names of candidates for president and vice president, respectively, of such parties or group of petitioners shall be placed on the ballot, as the names of candidates for United States senators are placed thereon, under their respective party, petition, or adopted titles for each political party, or group of petitioners, nominating a set of candidates for electors.

49.33 Single voting target for certain paired offices.

Immediately opposite the names of each pair of candidates for president and vice president, a single voting target shall be printed next to the bracket enclosing the names of the candidates for president and vice president. A single voting target shall be printed next to the bracket enclosing the names of the candidates for governor and lieutenant governor. The votes for a team of candidates shall be counted and certified by the election board as a team. Write-in votes shall also be tabulated as a single vote for a pair of candidates.

49.34 Reserved.

49.35 Order of arranging tickets on lever voting machine ballot. Repealed by 2009 Acts, ch 57, §96.

49.36 Candidates of nonparty organization.

The term “group of petitioners” as used in section 49.32 shall embrace an organization which is not a political party as defined by law.

49.37 Arrangement of ballot.

For general elections, and for other elections in which more than one partisan office will be filled, the ballot shall be arranged as provided in this section.
Offices shall be arranged in groups. Partisan offices, nonpartisan offices, judges, and public measures shall be separated by a distinct line appearing on the ballot.
The commissioner shall arrange the ballot in conformity with the certificate issued by the state commissioner under section 43.73, in that the names of the respective candidates for each political party shall appear in the order they appeared on the certificate, above or to the left of the nonparty political organization candidates.
The commissioner shall arrange the partisan county offices on the ballot with the board of supervisors first, followed by the other county offices in the same sequence in which they appear in section 39.17. Nonpartisan offices shall be listed after partisan offices.

49.38 Candidate’s name to appear but once.

The name of a candidate shall not appear upon the ballot in more than one place for the same office, whether nominated by convention, primary, caucus, or petition, except as otherwise provided in this chapter.

49.39 Dual nomination.

When two or more political parties, or when two or more political organizations which are not political parties, or when a political party and a political organization which is not a political party, nominate the same candidate for the same office, such nominee shall forthwith designate, in writing, the political party name, or the political organization name, under which the nominee desires to have the nominee’s name printed on the official ballot for the ensuing general election; such written designation shall be filed with the officer with whom the nomination paper, or certificate of nomination by a convention or caucus, is filed and the name of such nominee shall appear on the ballot in accordance therewith.

49.40 Failure to designate.

If the designation referred to in section 49.39 be not filed, the following rules shall govern:

If the nomination be by two or more political parties, the name of such nominee shall be printed under the party designation under which nomination papers were first filed in the nominee’s behalf.
If the nomination be by a political party and also by a political organization which is not a political party, the name of such nominee shall be printed under the name of the political party or political organization first filing nomination papers, or certificate of nomination, as the case may be.
If the nomination be by two or more political organizations which are not political parties, the name of such nominee shall be printed under the name of the political organization first filing a certificate of nomination of such candidate.

49.41 More than one office prohibited.

a. A person shall not be a candidate for more than one office to be filled at the same election, except that a person may be a candidate for a city office and school board office at the same election. A person who has been nominated for more than one office and is prohibited from being a candidate for more than one office shall file a written notice declaring the office for which the person wishes to appear on the ballot.

b. If the nomination papers for all offices for which the candidate has been nominated are required to be filed with the same commissioner of elections, the candidate shall file a written notice with that commissioner no later than 5:00 p.m. on the final date upon which nomination papers may be filed for the election. The notice shall state the office for which the person wishes to appear on the ballot. If the required notice is not filed, the candidate’s name shall not be certified by the state commissioner for any office for which nomination papers are filed with the state commissioner and the county commissioner of elections shall not include the candidate’s name on the ballot for any office in any county.

c. If a person is a candidate for one or more offices for which nomination papers are required to be filed with the state commissioner and one or more offices for which nomination papers are required to be filed with the county commissioner, the candidate shall notify the state commissioner and the county commissioner in writing. The notice shall state the office for which the person chooses to remain a candidate. The notice shall be filed no later than the last day to file nomination papers with the commissioner. If the required notice is not filed, the candidate’s name shall not appear on the ballot for any office in any county.

a. If necessary, the county commissioner shall certify to the state commissioner the name of any person who is a candidate for more than one office which will appear on the ballot for the election. The certification of dual candidacy shall be made no later than 5:00 p.m. on the day following the final day to file nomination papers in the office of the commissioner.

b. When the state commissioner receives notice from the county commissioner that a candidate for a state or federal office has also been nominated for a county or township office, the state commissioner shall amend the certificate issued pursuant to section 43.73 and notify the commissioners of any other counties to whom the candidate’s name was originally certified and instruct them to remove the candidate’s name from the ballot in those counties.

3. This section does not apply to the county agricultural extension council or the soil and water conservation district commission.

4. For purposes of township office, “nomination papers” as used in this section means the affidavit of candidacy required in section 45.3.

49.42 Repealed by 97 Acts, ch 170, §93.

49.42A Form of official ballot. Repealed by 2009 Acts, ch 57, §96. See §49.57A.

49.43 Constitutional amendment or other public measure.

If possible, all public measures and constitutional amendments to be voted upon by an elector shall be included on a single ballot which shall also include all offices to be voted upon. However, if it is necessary, a separate ballot may be used as provided in section 49.30.
Constitutional amendments and other public measures may be summarized by the commissioner as provided in sections 49.44 and 52.25.

49.44 Summary.

When a proposed constitutional amendment or other public measure to be decided by the voters of the entire state is to be voted upon, the state commissioner shall prepare a written summary of the amendment or measure including the number of the amendment or statewide public measure assigned by the state commissioner. The summary shall be printed immediately preceding the text of the proposed amendment or measure on the paper ballot or optical scan ballot referred to in section 49.43. If the complete text of the public measure will not fit on the ballot it shall be posted inside the voting booth. A copy of the full text shall be included with any absentee ballots.
The commissioner may prepare a summary for public measures if the commissioner finds that a summary is needed to clarify the question to the voters.

49.45 General form of ballot.

Ballots referred to in section 49.43 shall be substantially in the following form:

Shall the following amendment to the Constitution (or public measure) be adopted?

☐ Yes

☐ No

(Here insert the summary, if it is for a constitutional amendment or statewide public measure, and in full the proposed constitutional amendment or public measure. The number assigned by the state commissioner or the letter assigned by the county commissioner shall be included on the ballot centered above the question, “Shall the following amendment to the Constitution [or public measure] be adopted?”.)

49.46 Marking ballots on public measures.

The elector shall designate a vote by making the appropriate mark in the voting target. On paper ballots an “X” or a check mark may be placed in the proper target.

49.47 Notice on ballots.

At the top of paper ballots for public measures shall be printed the following:

[Notice to voters. To vote to approve any question on this ballot, make a cross mark or check in the target before the word “Yes”. To vote against a question make a similar mark in the target preceding the word “No”.]

This notice shall be adapted to describe the proper mark where it is appropriate.

49.48 Notice for judicial officers and constitutional amendments.

The state commissioner of elections shall prescribe a notice to inform voters of the location on the ballot of the form for retaining or removing judicial officers and for ratifying or defeating proposed constitutional amendments. The notice shall be conspicuously attached to the ballot.

49.49 Certain sample ballots prohibited

The commissioner and state commissioner of elections shall not distribute or authorize the distribution of sample ballots to voters other than as provided in sections 43.30, 49.53, and 52.29.

49.50 Endorsement and delivery of ballots.

Ballots on such public measures shall be endorsed and given to each voter by the precinct election officials, as in case of ballots generally, and shall be subject to all other laws governing ballots for candidates, so far as the same shall be applicable.

49.51 Commissioner to control printing.

The commissioner shall have charge of the printing of the ballots to be used for any election held in the county.

49.52 Reserved.

49.53 Publication of ballot and notice.

The commissioner shall not less than four nor more than twenty days before the day of each election, except those for which different publication requirements are prescribed by law, publish notice of the election. The notice shall contain a facsimile of the portion of the ballot containing the first rotation as prescribed by section 49.31, subsection 2, and shall show the names of all candidates or nominees and the office each seeks, and all public questions, to be voted upon at the election. The sample ballot published as a part of the notice may at the discretion of the commissioner be reduced in size relative to the actual ballot but such reduction shall not cause upper case letters appearing in candidates’ names or in summaries of public measures on the published sample ballot to be less than nine point type. The notice shall also state the date of the election, the hours the polls will be open, that each voter is required to provide identification at the polling place before the voter can receive and cast a ballot, the location of each polling place at which voting is to occur in the election, and the names of the precincts voting at each polling place, but the statement need not set forth any fact which is apparent from the portion of the ballot appearing as a part of the same notice. The notice shall include the full text of all public measures to be voted upon at the election.
The notice shall be published in at least one newspaper, as defined in section 618.3, which is published in the county or other political subdivision in which the election is to occur or, if no newspaper is published there, in at least one newspaper of substantial circulation in the county or political subdivision. For the general election or the primary election the foregoing notice shall be published in at least two newspapers published in the county. However, if there is only one newspaper published in the county, publication in one newspaper shall be sufficient.

49.54 Cost of publication.

The cost of the publication required by section 49.53, shall not exceed an amount determined by the director of the department of administrative services or the director’s designee.

49.55 Delivery of supplies to officials.

In all cases the necessary election supplies, including paper ballots for precincts where they are to be used, shall be furnished the precinct election officials not less than one hour before the opening of the polls on the morning of the election.

49.56 Maximum cost of printing.

The cost of printing the official election ballots and printed supplies shall not exceed the usual and customary rates that the printer charges its regular customers.

49.57 Method and style of printing ballots.

Ballots shall be prepared as follows:

1. They shall be on paper uniform in color, through which the printing or writing cannot be read.

2. After the name of each candidate for a partisan office the name of the candidate’s political party shall be printed in at least six point type. The names of political parties and nonparty political organizations may be abbreviated on the remainder of the ballot if both the full name and the abbreviation appear in the voter instruction area of the ballot.

3. The names of candidates shall be printed in upper case and lower case letters using a uniform font size throughout the ballot. The font size shall be not less than ten point type.

4. In no case shall the font size for public measures, constitutional amendments, and constitutional convention questions, and summaries thereof, be less than ten point type.

5. On ballots that will be counted by automatic tabulating equipment, ballots shall include a voting target next to the name of each candidate. The position, shape, and size of the targets shall be appropriate for the equipment to be used in counting the votes. Where paper ballots are used, a square may be printed at the beginning of each line in which the name of a candidate is printed, except as otherwise provided.

6. A portion of the ballot shall include the words “Official ballot”, the unique identification number or name assigned by the commissioner to the ballot style, the date of the election, and the impression or likeness of the county seal of the county of the commissioner who has caused the ballot to be printed pursuant to section 49.51.

7. The office title of any office which appears on the ballot to fill a vacancy before the end of the usual term of the office shall include the words “To Fill Vacancy”.

49.57A Form of official ballot — implementation by rule.

The state commissioner shall adopt rules in accordance with chapter 17A to implement sections 49.30 through 49.41, section 49.57, and any other provision of the law prescribing the form of the official ballot.

49.58 Effect of death of certain candidates.

1. If any candidate nominated by a political party, as defined in section 43.2, for the office of senator or representative in the Congress of the United States, governor, attorney general, or senator or representative in the general assembly dies during the period beginning on the eighty-eighth day and ending on the last day before the general election, or if any candidate so nominated for the office of county supervisor dies during the period beginning on the seventy-third day and ending on the last day before the general election, the vote cast at the general election for that office shall not be canvassed as would otherwise be required by chapter 50. Instead, a special election shall be held on the first Tuesday after the second Monday in December, for the purpose of electing a person to fill that office.

2. Each candidate for that office whose name appeared on the general election ballot shall also be a candidate for the office in the special election, except that the deceased candidate’s political party may designate another candidate in substantially the manner provided by section 43.78 for filling vacancies on the general election ballot. However, a political party which did not have a candidate on the general election ballot for the office in question may similarly designate a candidate for that office in the special election. The name of any replacement or additional candidate so designated shall be submitted in writing to the state commissioner, or the commissioner in the case of a candidate for county supervisor, not later than 5:00 p.m. on the first Tuesday after the date of the general election. The name of any other candidate that did not appear on the general election ballot as a candidate for the office in question shall not be placed on the ballot for the special election, in any manner. The special election shall be held and canvassed in the manner prescribed by law for the general election.

49.59 through 49.62Reserved.

49.63 Time of printing — inspection and correction.

Ballots shall be printed and in the possession of the commissioner in time to enable the commissioner to furnish ballots to absent voters as provided by sections 53.8, 53.10, and 53.11. The printed ballots shall be subject to the inspection of candidates and their agents. If mistakes are discovered, they shall be corrected without delay, in the manner provided in this chapter.

49.64 Number of ballots delivered.

The commissioner shall cause ballots of the kind to be voted in each precinct to be delivered to the precinct election officials as follows:

In general elections which are presidential elections, at least fifty-five ballots for every fifty votes, or fraction of fifty votes, cast in the precinct at the last preceding general election which was also a presidential election.
In general elections which are not presidential elections, at least fifty-five ballots for every fifty votes, or fraction of fifty votes, cast at the last preceding general election which was not a presidential election.

49.65 Packing ballots — delivery — receipts — records.

The required number of ballots for each precinct shall be wrapped and sealed, and each package shall be clearly marked on the outside to indicate the number of ballots contained in the package and the name or number of the precinct and the location of the polling place for which they are intended. The ballots shall be delivered to the precinct election officials together with other necessary election supplies, as provided by section 49.55, and one of the officials shall sign a receipt for the ballots which receipt shall be preserved by the commissioner. The commissioner shall keep a record of the number of ballots delivered for each polling place, the person who signed the receipt for them, and the time they were delivered, on a form which also provides space for the entries required by section 50.10.

49.66 Reserve supply of ballots.

The commissioner shall provide and retain at the commissioner’s office an ample supply of ballots, in addition to those distributed to the several voting precincts. If at any time the ballots furnished to any precinct shall be lost, destroyed, or if the chairperson of the precinct election officials determines that the supply of ballots will be exhausted before the polls are closed, the chairperson of the precinct election officials of the precinct shall immediately contact the commissioner by telephone. If no telephone is available, a messenger shall be sent to the commissioner with a written application for additional ballots. The application shall be signed by a majority of the precinct election officials. The commissioner shall keep written records of all requests for additional ballots and shall immediately cause to be delivered to the officials, at the polling place, such additional supply of ballots as may be required, and sufficient to comply with the provisions of this chapter.

49.67 Form of reserve supply.

The number of reserve ballots for each precinct shall be determined by the commissioner.
a. If necessary, the commissioner or the commissioner’s designee may make photocopies of official ballots to replace or replenish ballot supplies. The commissioner shall keep a record of the number of photocopied ballots made for each precinct, the name of the person who made the photocopies, and the date, time, and location at which the photocopies were made. These records shall be made on forms and following procedures prescribed by the secretary of state by administrative rule.
In any precinct where photocopied ballots are used, each photocopied ballot shall be initialed as required by section 49.82 by two precinct officials immediately before being issued to the voter. In partisan elections the two precinct officials shall be of different political parties.

49.68 State commissioner to furnish instructions.

The state commissioner with the approval of the attorney general shall prepare, and from time to time revise, written instructions to the voters relative to the rights of voters, and shall furnish each commissioner with copies of the instructions. Such instructions shall cover the following matters:
The procedure for registering to vote after the registration deadline has passed.
Instructions for voters who are required by law to show identification before voting.
General information on voting rights under applicable federal and state laws, including the following:

(1) Information on the right of an individual to cast a provisional ballot and the procedure for casting a provisional ballot.

(2) Federal and state laws regarding prohibitions on acts of fraud, misrepresentation, coercion, or duress.

Instructions on how to contact the appropriate officials if a voter believes the voter’s rights have been violated.
The state commissioner shall prepare instructions relative to voting for each voting system in use in the state and shall furnish the county commissioner with copies of the instructions. Such instructions shall cover the following matters:
The manner of obtaining ballots.
The manner of marking ballots.
That unmarked or improperly marked ballots will not be counted.
The method of gaining assistance in marking ballots.
That any erasures or identification marks, or otherwise spoiling or defacing a ballot, will render it invalid.
Not to vote a spoiled or defaced ballot.
How to obtain a new ballot in place of a spoiled or defaced one.
Any other matters thought necessary.

49.69 Reserved.

49.70 Precinct election officials furnished instructions.

The commissioner shall cause copies of instructions addressing the rights of voters and instructions for voting to be printed in large, clear type. The commissioner shall furnish the precinct election officials with a sufficient number of each set of instructions as will enable them to comply with section 49.71.

49.71 Posting instruction cards and sample ballots.

The precinct election officials, before the opening of the polls, shall cause each set of instructions required pursuant to section 49.70 to be securely posted as follows:

At least one copy of the instructions for voting prescribed in section 49.68, subsection 2, in each voting booth.
At least one copy of the instructions for voting prescribed in section 49.68, subsection 2, with an equal number of sample ballots, in and about the polling place.
At least one copy of the instructions relating to rights of voters, as prescribed in section 49.68, subsection 1, in and about the polling place.

49.72 Absentee voters designated before polling place opened.

The commissioner shall deliver to each precinct election board not less than one hour before the time at which the polls are to open for any election the list of all registered voters of that precinct who have been given or sent an absentee ballot for that election, and the election board shall immediately designate those registered voters who are so listed and therefore not entitled to vote in person at the polls, except as provided in section 53.19, subsection 3.

49.73 Time of opening and closing polls.

At all elections, except as otherwise permitted by this section, the polls shall be opened at 7:00 a.m. if at least one official from each of the political parties referred to in section 49.13 is present. On the basis of voter turnout for recent similar elections and factors considered likely to so affect voter turnout for the forthcoming election as to justify shortened voting hours for that election, the commissioner may direct that the polls be opened at 12:00 noon for:
Any school district election.
Any election conducted for a city, including a local option sales and services tax election conducted pursuant to section 423B.1. At elections conducted pursuant to chapter 423B, all polling places shall have the same voting hours.
Any election conducted for a benefited district.
Any election conducted for the unincorporated area of a county.
The commissioner shall not shorten voting hours for any election if there is filed in the commissioner’s office, at least twenty-five days before the election, a petition signed by at least fifty eligible electors of the school district or city, as the case may be, requesting that the polls be opened not later than 7:00 a.m. All polling places where the candidates of or any public question submitted by any one political subdivision are being voted upon shall be opened at the same hour, except that this requirement shall not apply to merged areas established under chapter 260C. The hours at which the respective precinct polling places are to open shall not be changed after publication of the notice required by section 49.53. The polling places shall be closed at 9:00 p.m. for state primary and general elections and other partisan elections, and for any other election held concurrently therewith, and at 8:00 p.m. for all other elections.

49.74 Voters entitled to vote after closing time.

Every voter who is on the premises of the voter’s precinct polling place at the time the polling place is to be closed for any election shall be permitted to vote in that election. Wherever possible, when there are persons on the premises of a polling place awaiting an opportunity to claim their vote at the time the polling place is to be closed, the election board shall cause those persons to move inside the structure in which the polling place is located and shall then shut the doors of the structure and shall not admit any additional persons to the polling place for the purpose of voting. If it is not feasible to cause persons on the premises of a polling place awaiting an opportunity to claim their vote at the time the polling place is to be closed to move inside the structure in which the polling place is located, the election board shall cause those persons to be designated in some reasonable manner and shall not receive votes after that time from any persons except those voters so designated.

49.75 Oath.

Before opening the polls, each of the board members shall take the following oath:

I, A. B., do solemnly swear or affirm that I will impartially, and to the best of my knowledge and ability, perform the duties of precinct election official of this election, and will studiously endeavor to prevent fraud, deceit, and abuse in conducting the election.

49.76 How administered.

Any one of the precinct election officials present may administer the oath to the others, and it shall be entered in the election records, subscribed by the person taking it, and certified by the officer administering it.

49.77 Ballot furnished to voter.

The board members of their respective precincts shall have charge of the ballots and shall furnish them to the voters after verifying each voter’s identity pursuant to section 49.78.
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 registered voter. I was born on the ……………. day of ……………. (month) ……………. (year). I have not voted and will not 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

At the discretion of the commissioner, this declaration may be printed on each page of the election register and the voter shall sign the election register next to the voter’s printed name. The voter’s signature in the election register shall be considered the voter’s signed declaration of eligibility affidavit. The state commissioner of elections shall prescribe by rule an alternate method for providing the information in subsection 2 for those counties where the declaration of eligibility is printed in the election register. The state voter registration system shall be designed to allow for the affidavit to be printed on each page of the election register and to allow sufficient space for the voter’s signature.
At the discretion of the commissioner, an electronic election register may be used to produce the declaration required in this subsection. The person desiring to vote shall sign the declaration produced by the electronic election register prior to receiving a ballot.
If the declaration of eligibility is not printed on each page of the election register, any of those persons present pursuant to section 49.104, subsection 2, 3, 5, or 6, may upon request view the signed declarations of eligibility and may review the signed declarations on file so long as the person does not interfere with the functions of the precinct election officials. If the declaration of eligibility is printed on the election register, voters shall also sign a voter roster which the precinct election official shall make available for viewing. Any of those persons present pursuant to section 49.104, subsection 2, 3, 5, or 6, may upon request view the roster of those voters who have signed declarations of eligibility, so long as the person does not interfere with the functions of the precinct election officials.
a. A person whose name does not appear on the election register of the precinct in which that person claims the right to vote shall not be permitted to vote, unless the person affirms that the person is currently registered in the county and presents proof of identity and residence as required pursuant to section 48A.8, or the commissioner informs the precinct election officials that an error has occurred and that the person is a registered voter of that precinct. If the commissioner finds no record of the person’s registration but the person insists that the person is a registered voter of that precinct, the precinct election officials shall allow the person to cast a ballot in the manner prescribed by section 49.81.
If the voter informs the precinct election official that the voter resides in the precinct and is not registered to vote, the voter may register to vote pursuant to section 48A.7A and cast a ballot. If such a voter is unable to establish identity and residency in the manner provided in section 48A.7A, subsection 1, paragraph “b” or “c”, the voter shall be allowed to cast a ballot in the manner prescribed by section 49.81.
A person who has been sent an absentee ballot by mail but for any reason has not received it shall be permitted to cast a ballot in person pursuant to section 53.19.
The request for the telephone number in the declaration of eligibility in subsection 1 is not mandatory and the failure by the voter to provide the telephone number does not affect the declaration’s validity.

49.78 Voter identity and signature verification.

1. To ensure the integrity of, and to instill public confidence in, all elections in this state the general assembly finds that the verification of a voter’s identity is necessary before a voter is permitted to receive and cast a ballot.

a. Before a precinct election official furnishes a ballot to a voter under section 49.77, the voter shall establish the voter’s identity by presenting the official with one of the following forms of identification for verification:

(1) An Iowa driver’s license issued pursuant to section 321.189.

(2) An Iowa nonoperator’s identification card issued pursuant to section 321.190.

(3) A United States passport.

(4) A United States military or veterans identification card.

(5) A current, valid tribal identification card or other tribal enrollment document issued by a federally recognized Indian tribe or nation, which includes a photograph, signature, and valid expiration date.

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 that does not contain a signature, is not subject to challenge under this paragraph “b”.

3. To establish the voter’s identity under this section, a person who is registered to vote but is unable to present a form of identification listed under subsection 2 may present any of the following:

a. A current voter identification card provided pursuant to section 48A.10A that contains the voter identification number if the voter identification card is signed before the voter presents the card to the election official.

b. Other forms of identification sufficient to establish identity and residence under section 48A.7A, subsection 1, paragraph “b”.

4. A person who is registered to vote but is unable to present a form of identification under subsection 2 or 3 may establish identity and residency in the precinct by written oath of a person who is also registered to vote in the precinct. The attesting registered voter’s oath shall attest to the stated identity of the person wishing to vote and that the person is a current resident of the precinct. The oath must be signed by the attesting registered voter in the presence of the appropriate precinct election official. A registered voter who has signed two oaths on election day attesting to a person’s identity and residency as provided in this subsection is prohibited from signing any further oaths as provided in this subsection on that day.

5. The form of the written oath required of a registered voter attesting to the identity and residency of the voter unable to present a form of identification shall read as follows:

I, …… (name of attesting registered voter), do solemnly swear or affirm all of the following:

I am a preregistered voter in this precinct or I registered to vote in this precinct today, and a registered voter did not sign an oath on my behalf.

I will not sign more than two oaths attesting to the identity and residence of any other person in this election.

I am a resident of the … precinct, … ward or township, city of ….., county of ….., Iowa.

I reside at ……. (street address) in ….. (city or township).

I personally know ….. (name of voter), and I personally know that ….. (name of voter) is a resident of the … precinct, ….. ward or township, city of ….., county of ….., Iowa.

………….

Signature of Attesting Registered Voter Subscribed and sworn before me on ….. (date).

………….

Signature of Precinct Election Official

6. A voter who is not otherwise disqualified from voting and who has established identity under subsection 2, 3, or 4 shall be furnished a ballot and be allowed to vote under section 49.77.

7. A registered voter who fails to establish the voter’s identity under this section shall be permitted to cast a provisional ballot under section 49.81.

49.79 Challenges.

1. Any person offering to vote may be challenged as unqualified by any precinct election official or registered voter. It is the duty of each official to challenge any person offering to vote whom the official knows or suspects is not duly qualified. A ballot shall be received from a voter who is challenged, but only in accordance with section 49.81.

2. A person may be challenged for any of the following reasons:

a. The challenged person is not a citizen of the United States.

b. For an election other than a primary election, the challenged person is less than eighteen years of age as of the date of the election at which the person is offering to vote. For a primary election, the challenged person will be less than eighteen years of age on the date of the respective general election or city election.

c. The challenged person is not a resident at the address where the person is registered. However, a person who is reporting a change of address at the polls on election day pursuant to section 48A.27, subsection 2, paragraph “a”, subparagraph (3), or who is registering to vote pursuant to section 48A.7A, shall not be challenged for this reason.

d. The challenged person is not a resident of the precinct where the person is offering to vote.

e. The challenged person has falsified information on the person’s registration form or on the person’s declaration of eligibility.

f. The challenged person has been convicted of a felony, and the person’s voting rights have not been restored.

g. The challenged person has been adjudged by a court of law to be a person who is incompetent to vote and no subsequent proceeding has reversed that finding.

3. a. The state commissioner of elections shall prescribe a form to be used by a registered voter challenging a prospective voter at the polls. A precinct election official working at the precinct is not required to use the challenge form. The challenge form shall include a space for the challenger to provide the challenger’s printed name, signature, address, and telephone number. The challenge form shall also contain the following statement signed by the challenger:

I am a registered voter in (name of county) County, Iowa. I swear or affirm that information contained in this challenge is true. I understand that knowingly filing a challenge containing false information is an aggravated misdemeanor.

b. The special precinct board shall reject a challenge that lacks the name, address, telephone number, and signature of the challenger.

4. A separate written challenge shall be made against each prospective voter challenged.

5. A challenger may withdraw a challenge at the polling place on election day or at any time before the meeting of the special precinct counting board by notifying the commissioner in writing of the withdrawal.

49.80 Examination on challenge.

When the status of any person as a registered voter is so challenged, the precinct election officials shall explain to the person the qualifications of an elector, and may examine the person under oath touching the person’s qualifications as a voter.
a. In case of any challenges of an elector at the time the person is offering to vote in a precinct, a precinct election official may place such person under oath and question the person as to the following:

(1) Where the person maintains the person’s home.

(2) How long the person has maintained the person’s home at such place.

(3) If the person maintains a home at any other location.

(4) The person’s age.

The precinct election official may permit the challenger to participate in such questions. The challenged elector shall be allowed to present to the official such evidence and facts as the elector feels sustains the fact that the person is qualified to vote. Upon completion thereof, if the challenge is withdrawn, the elector may cast the vote in the usual manner. If the challenge is not withdrawn, section 49.81 shall apply.

49.81 Procedure for voter to cast provisional ballot.

1. A prospective voter who is prohibited under section 48A.8, subsection 4, section 49.77, subsection 3, section 49.80, or section 53.19, subsection 3, from voting except under this section shall be notified by the appropriate precinct election official that the voter may cast a provisional ballot. The voter shall mark the ballot and immediately seal it in an envelope of the type prescribed by subsection 5. The voter shall deliver the sealed envelope to a precinct election official who shall deposit it in an envelope marked “provisional ballots”. The ballot shall be considered as having been cast in the special precinct established by section 53.20 for purposes of the postelection canvass.

2. A prospective voter who is unable to establish identity under section 49.78, subsection 2, paragraph “a”, or section 49.78, subsection 3 or 4, shall be notified by the appropriate precinct election official that the voter may cast a provisional ballot. The voter shall mark the ballot and immediately seal it in an envelope of the type prescribed by subsection 5. The voter shall deliver the sealed envelope to a precinct election official who shall deposit it in an envelope marked “provisional ballots”. The ballot shall be considered as having been cast in the special precinct established by section 53.20 for purposes of the postelection canvass.

3. Each person who casts a provisional ballot under this section shall receive a printed statement in a form prescribed by the state commissioner by rule adopted in accordance with chapter 17A. The statement shall contain, at a minimum, the following information:

a. The reason the person is casting a provisional ballot.

b. If the person is casting a provisional ballot because the person failed to provide a required form of identification, a list of the types of acceptable identification and notification that the person must show identification before the ballot can be counted.

c. If the person is casting a provisional ballot because the person’s qualifications as a registered voter have been challenged, the allegations contained in the written challenge, a description of the challenge process, and the person’s right to address the challenge.

d. A statement that if the person’s ballot is not counted, the person will receive, by mail, notification of this fact and the reason the ballot was not counted.

e. Other information deemed necessary by the state commissioner.

4. Any eligible elector may present written statements or documents, supporting or opposing the counting of any provisional ballot, to the precinct election officials on election day, until the hour for closing the polls. Any statements or documents so presented shall be delivered to the commissioner when the election supplies are returned.

5. a. (1) The individual envelopes used for each provisional ballot cast pursuant to subsection 1 shall have space for the voter’s name, date of birth, and address and shall have printed on them the following:

I am a United States citizen, at least eighteen years of age or, for purposes of voting in a primary election, I will be at least eighteen years of age on the date of the respective general election or city election. I believe I am a registered voter of this county and I am eligible to vote in this election.

………………..

(signature of voter) (date)

(2) The following information is to be provided by the precinct election official:

Reason for casting provisional ballot:

………………..

……………
(signature of precinct
election official)

b. The precinct election official shall attach a completed voter registration form from each provisional voter unless the person’s registration status is listed in the election register as active or pending. If a voter is casting a provisional ballot because the voter’s qualifications as a registered voter have been challenged, the precinct election official shall attach the signed challenge to the provisional ballot envelope.

49.82 Voter to receive one ballot — endorsement.

When an empty voting booth is available, one of the precinct election officials shall endorse the official’s initials on each ballot the voter will receive. The initials shall be placed so that they may be seen when the ballot is properly folded or enclosed in a secrecy folder. The name or signature of the commissioner shall not appear on the ballot except as part of the list of candidates when the commissioner is a candidate for election. The official shall give the voter one and only one of each of the ballots to be voted at that election in that precinct, except as provided by section 49.100. No ballot without the required official endorsement shall be placed in the ballot box.

49.83 Names to be marked on election register.

The name of each voter shall be marked on the election register by a precinct election official when the voter’s declaration of eligibility has been approved by the officials.

49.84 Marking and return of ballot.

a. After receiving the ballot, the voter shall immediately go to the next available voting booth and without delay mark the ballot. All voters shall vote in booths.
Before leaving the voting booth, the voter may enclose the ballot in a secrecy folder to conceal the marks on the ballot.
If the precinct has automatic tabulating equipment that will not permit more than one ballot to be inserted at a time, the voter may insert the ballot into the tabulating device; otherwise, the election official shall place the ballot in the ballot box. An identifying mark or symbol shall not be endorsed on the voter’s ballot.
This section does not prohibit a voter from taking minor children into the voting booth with the voter.

49.85 Depositing ballots.

One of the precinct election officials shall at once, after receiving the ballot, in the presence of the voter, deposit it in the ballot box.

49.86 Failure to vote — surrender of ballot.

Any voter who, after receiving an official ballot, decides not to vote, shall, before entering the voting booth, surrender to the election officers the official ballot which has been given to the voter, and such fact shall be noted on the election records. A refusal to surrender such ballot shall subject the person so offending to immediate arrest and the penalties provided for violation of this chapter.

49.87 Prohibited ballot — taking ballot from polling place.

No voter shall vote or offer to vote any ballot except such as the voter has received from the precinct election officials, nor take or remove any ballot from the polling place before the close of the poll.

49.88 Limitation on persons in booth and time for voting.

No more than one person shall be allowed to occupy any voting booth at any time. The use of photographic devices and the display of voted ballots is prohibited if such use or display is for purposes prohibited under chapter 39A, interferes with other voters, or interferes with the orderly operation of the polling place.
a. Nothing in this section shall prohibit assistance to voters under section 49.90.
This section does not prohibit a voter from taking minor children into the voting booth with the voter.

49.89 Selection of officials to assist voters.

At, or before, the opening of the polls, the election board of each precinct shall select two members of the board, of different political parties in the case of any election in which candidates appear on the ballot under the heading of either of the political parties referred to in section 49.13, to assist voters who may be unable to cast their votes without assistance as described in section 49.90.

49.90 Assisting voter.

Any voter who may declare upon oath that the voter is blind, cannot read the English language, or is, by reason of any physical disability other than intoxication, unable to cast a vote without assistance, shall, upon request, be assisted by the two officers as provided in section 49.89, or alternatively by any other person the voter may select in casting the vote. 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.

49.91 Assistance indicated on register.

The precinct election officials shall mark upon the election register the name of any elector who received such assistance in casting the elector’s vote.

49.92 Voting mark.

The instructions appearing on the ballot shall describe the appropriate mark to be used by the voter. The mark shall be consistent with the requirements of the voting system in use in the precinct. The voting mark used on paper ballots may be a cross or check which shall be placed in the voting targets opposite the names of candidates. The fact that the voting mark is made by an instrument other than a black lead pencil shall not affect the validity of the ballot unless it appears that the color or nature of the mark is intended to identify the ballot contrary to the intent of section 39A.4, subsection 1.

49.93 Number of votes for each office.

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.

49.94 How to mark a straight ticket. Repealed by 2017 Acts, ch 110, §50.

49.95 Voting part of ticket only. Repealed by 2017 Acts, ch 110, §50.

49.96 Offices with more than one person to be elected. Repealed by 2017 Acts, ch 110, §50.

49.97 How to mark a mixed ticket. Repealed by 2017 Acts, ch 110, §50.

49.98 Counting ballots.

The ballots shall be counted according to the voters’ marks on them as provided in sections 49.92 and 49.93, and not otherwise. If, for any reason, it is impossible to determine from a ballot, as marked, the choice of the voter for any office, the vote for that office shall not be counted. A ballot shall be rejected if the voter used a mark to identify the voter’s ballot. The state commissioner shall, by rule adopted pursuant to chapter 17A, develop uniform definitions of what constitutes a vote.

49.99 Writing name on ballot.

The voter may also write on the line provided for write-in votes the name of any person for whom the voter desires to vote and mark the voting target opposite the name. If the voter is using a voting system other than an optical scan voting system, as defined in section 52.1, the writing of the name shall constitute a valid vote for the person whose name has been written on the ballot without regard to whether the voter has made a mark opposite the name. However, when a write-in vote is cast using an optical scan voting system, the ballot must also be marked in the corresponding space in order to be counted. Marking the voting target opposite a write-in line without writing a name on the line shall not affect the validity of the remainder of the ballot.
If a voter writes the name of a person more than once in the proper places on a ballot for an office to which more than one person is to be elected, all but one of those votes for that person for that office are void and shall not be counted.

49.100 Spoiled ballots.

A voter who spoils a ballot may return the spoiled ballot to the precinct election officials and receive another ballot. However, a voter shall not receive more than three ballots, including the one first delivered. Only ballots provided in accordance with the provisions of this chapter shall be counted.

49.101 Defective or wrong ballot does not nullify vote.

No ballot properly marked by the voter shall be rejected:

Because of any discrepancy between the printed ballot and the nomination paper, or certificate of nomination, or certified abstract of the canvassing board.
Because of any error in stamping or writing the endorsement thereon by the officials charged with such duties.
Because of any error on the part of the officer charged with such duty in delivering the wrong ballots at any polling place.

49.102 Defective ballots.

Ballots containing a defect described in section 49.101 shall be counted for the candidate or candidates for such offices named in the nomination papers, certificate of nomination, or certified abstract.

49.103 Wrong ballots.

Ballots containing an error described in section 49.101 shall be counted as cast for all candidates for whom the voter had the right to vote, and for whom the voter did vote.

49.104 Persons permitted at polling places.

The following persons shall be permitted to be present at and in the immediate vicinity of the polling places, provided they do not solicit votes:

Any person who is by law authorized to perform or is charged with the performance of official duties at the election.
Any number of persons, not exceeding three at a time from each political party having candidates to be voted for at such election, to act as challenging committees, who are appointed and accredited by the executive or central committee of such political party or organization.
Any number of persons not exceeding three at a time from each of such political parties, appointed and accredited in the same manner as prescribed in subsection 2 for challenging committees, and any number of persons not exceeding three at a time appointed as observers under subsection 5, to witness the counting of ballots.
Any peace officer assigned or called upon to keep order or maintain compliance with the provisions of this chapter, upon request of the commissioner or of the chairperson of the precinct election board.
One observer at a time representing any nonparty political organization, any candidate nominated by petition pursuant to chapter 45, or any other nonpartisan candidate in a city or school election, appearing on the ballot of the election in progress. Candidates who send observers to the polls shall provide each observer with a letter of appointment in the form prescribed by the state commissioner.
Any persons expressing an interest in a ballot issue to be voted upon at an election except a general or primary election. Any such person shall file a notice of intent to serve as an observer with the commissioner before election day. If more than three persons file a notice of intent to serve at the same time with respect to ballot issues at an election, the commissioner shall appoint from those submitting a notice of intent the three persons who may serve at that time as observers, and shall provide a schedule to all persons who filed notices of intent. The appointees, whenever possible, shall include both opponents and proponents of the ballot issues.
Any person authorized by the commissioner, in consultation with the secretary of state, for the purposes of conducting and attending educational voting programs.
Reporters, photographers, and other staff representing the news media. However, representatives of the news media, while present at or in the immediate vicinity of the polling places, shall not interfere with the election process in any way.

49.105 Ordering arrest.

Any precinct election official shall order the arrest of any person who behaves in a noisy, riotous, tumultuous or disorderly manner at or about the polls, so as to disturb the election, or insults or abuses the officials, or commits a breach of the peace, or violates any of the provisions of this chapter. If the person so arrested is a registered voter of the precinct which that polling place serves, and has not yet voted, the person shall be permitted to do so before being removed from the polling place.

49.106 Reserved.

49.107 Repealed by 2002 Acts, ch 1071, §15. See §39A.4.

49.108 Reserved.

49.109 Employees entitled to time to vote.

Any person entitled to vote at an election in this state who does not have three consecutive hours in the period between the time of the opening and the time of the closing of the polls during which the person is not required to be present at work for an employer, is entitled to such time off from work time to vote as will in addition to the person’s nonworking time total three consecutive hours during the time the polls are open. Application by any employee for such absence shall be made individually and in writing prior to the date of the election, and the employer shall designate the period of time to be taken. The employee is not liable to any penalty nor shall any deduction be made from the person’s regular salary or wages on account of such absence.

49.110 and 49.111Repealed by 2002 Acts, ch 1071, §15. See §39A.2 and 39A.5.

49.112 Reserved.

49.113 Repealed by 2002 Acts, ch 1071, §15. See §39A.4.

49.114 through 49.118Reserved.

49.119 Repealed by 2002 Acts, ch 1071, §15. See §39A.2 – 39A.5.

49.120 Promise of position.

It shall be unlawful for any candidate for any office to be voted for at any election, prior to nomination or election, to promise, either directly or indirectly, to support or use the candidate’s influence in behalf of any person or persons for any position, place, or office, or to promise directly or indirectly to name or appoint any person or persons to any place, position, or office in consideration of any person or persons supporting the candidate or using the person’s influence in securing the candidate’s nomination, election, or appointment.

49.121 Promise of influence.

It shall be unlawful for any person to solicit from any candidate for any office to be voted for at any election, or any candidate for appointment to any public office, prior to nomination, election, or appointment, a promise, directly or indirectly, to support or use the candidate’s influence in behalf of any person or persons for any position, place, or office, or a promise either directly or indirectly to name or appoint any person or persons to any place, position, or office in consideration of any person or persons supporting the candidate, or using the person’s influence in securing the candidate’s nomination, election or appointment.

49.122 Reserved.

49.123 Courthouse open on election day.

The courthouse of each county shall remain open on election day.

49.124 Training course by commissioner — continuing education program.

The commissioner shall conduct, not later than the day before each primary and general election, a training course for all election personnel, and the commissioner may do so before any other election the commissioner administers. The personnel shall include all precinct election officials and any other persons who will be employed in or around the polling places on election day. At least two precinct election officials who will serve on each precinct election board at the forthcoming election shall attend the training course. If the entire board does not attend, those members who do attend shall so far as possible be persons who have not previously attended a similar training course.
A continuing education program shall be provided to election personnel who are full-time or part-time permanent employees of the commissioner’s office. The state commissioner of elections shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A to implement and administer the continuing education program.
The training course and the continuing education program under this section shall include practical and holistic instruction on the criteria for determining whether a person meets the requirements for establishing identity under section 49.78, subsection 2, consistent with all voting rights and nondiscrimination provisions of federal and state law. The state commissioner of elections shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A to implement instruction required under this subsection.

49.125 Compensation of trainees.

All election personnel attending such training course shall be paid for attending such course, and shall be reimbursed for travel to and from the place where the training is given at the rate determined by the board of supervisors if the distance involved is more than five miles. The wages shall be computed at the hourly rate established pursuant to section 49.20 and payment of wages and mileage for attendance shall be made at the time that payment is made for duties performed on election day.

49.126 Manual by state commissioner.

It shall be the duty of the state commissioner to provide a training manual and such additional materials as may be necessary to all commissioners for conducting the required training course and to revise the manual from time to time as may be necessary.

49.127 Commissioner to examine equipment.

It shall be the duty of each commissioner to determine that all voting equipment is operational and functioning properly and that all materials necessary for the conduct of the election are in the commissioner’s possession and are correct.

49.128 Commissioner filings and notifications.

No later than twenty days following a general election, the commissioner shall place on file in the commissioner’s office a certification that the county met the following requirements at the general election:
The testing of voting equipment was performed, as required under section 52.35.
The election personnel training course was conducted, as required under section 49.124.
Polling places met accessibility standards, as required under section 49.21.
The schedule of required publications was adhered to, as required under section 49.53.
The commissioner has complied with administrative rules adopted by the state commissioner under chapter 52, including having a written voting system security plan.
a. If the county is required to conduct an audit under section 50.51, the commissioner shall include a copy of the results with the certification required under this section.
If a county is not required to conduct an audit under section 50.51, the commissioner shall include a copy of the certification required under this section along with the election canvass summary report required under section 50.30A.
The commissioner shall file a copy of the certification under this section with the state commissioner.
The commissioner shall promptly notify the state commissioner of each suspected incidence of election misconduct that the commissioner has referred to other agencies or law enforcement for investigation.
The state commissioner shall prescribe a form for use by the county commissioners.

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Title II – Chapter 49A

CHAPTER 49A – CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS AND PUBLIC MEASURES

49A.1 Publication of proposed amendment.

1. Whenever any proposition to amend the Constitution has passed the general assembly and been referred to the next succeeding legislature, the general assembly shall cause the same to be published as provided in this section, for the time required by the Constitution.

2. For purposes of complying with the publication requirements of this section, the general assembly shall cause the proposition to amend the Constitution to be published, once each month, in two newspapers of general circulation in each congressional district in the state and published, during each month, on an internet site of the general assembly.

49A.2 Publication of proposed public measure.

Whenever any public measure has passed the general assembly which under the Constitution must be published and submitted to a vote of the entire people of the state, the state commissioner of elections shall cause the same to be published, once each month, in at least one newspaper of general circulation in each county in the state, for the time required by the Constitution.

49A.3 Proof of publication — record — report to legislature.

1. Proof of the publication required by section 49A.1 shall be filed by the general assembly in the office of the state commissioner of elections, recorded in a book kept for that purpose, and preserved by the commissioner. Proof of publication required by this subsection shall be made by the general assembly as follows:

a. Proof of publication by newspaper shall be made by filing in the office of the state commissioner of elections affidavits of the publishers of the newspapers designated by the general assembly for publication and a certificate by the general assembly of the selection of such newspapers.

b. Proof of publication on an internet site of the general assembly shall be made by filing a certificate by the general assembly in the office of the state commissioner of elections that publication as described in this paragraph has been made as required by law.

2. Proof of the publication specified in section 49A.2 shall be made by the affidavits of the publishers of the newspapers designated by the state commissioner of elections and such affidavits, with the certificate of the state commissioner of the selection of such newspapers, shall be filed in the commissioner’s office, recorded in a book kept for that purpose, and preserved by the commissioner.

49A.4 Submission at general election.

Whenever a public measure has passed the general assembly which under the Constitution must be submitted to a vote of the entire people of the state and no time is fixed by the Constitution or legislature for such submission, or whenever a proposition to amend the Constitution has been adopted by two succeeding general assemblies and no time is fixed by the last general assembly adopting the same for its submission to the people, said measure or amendment shall be submitted to the people at the ensuing general election, in the manner required by law.

49A.5 Submission at special election.

The general assembly may provide for the submission of a constitutional amendment to the people at a special election for that purpose, at such time as it may prescribe, and the same shall in all respects be governed and conducted as prescribed by law for the submission of a constitutional amendment at a general election.

49A.6 Certification — sample ballot.

The state commissioner of elections shall, not less than sixty-nine days preceding any election at which a constitutional amendment or public measure is to be submitted to a vote of the entire people of the state, transmit to the county commissioner of elections of each county a certified copy of the amendment or measure and a sample of the ballot to be used in such cases, prepared in accordance with law.

49A.7. Repealed by Acts 2019 (88 G.A.) ch. 129, H.F. 764, § 6, eff. May 10, 2019

49A.8 Canvass — declaration of result — record.

The judges of election, county boards of canvassers, and other election officials shall canvass the vote on any constitutional amendment or public measure, and make return thereof, in the same manner as required by law for the canvass and return of the vote for public officers. The board of state canvassers shall canvass such returns, declare the result, and enter the same of record, immediately following and in connection with the proofs of publication of such amendment or measure, in the book kept for that purpose by the secretary of state.

Upon completion of the canvass, the secretary of state shall certify to the Iowa Code editor the results of the election.

49A.9 Expenses.

Expenses incurred under the provisions of this chapter shall be audited and allowed by the director of the department of administrative services and paid out of money appropriated to the state commissioner of elections.

49A.10 Action to test legality.

1. Whenever an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Iowa is proposed and agreed to by the general assembly and is agreed to by the succeeding general assembly, any taxpayer may file suit in equity in the district court at the seat of government of the state, challenging the validity, legality, or constitutionality of the amendment. In the suit, the district court shall have jurisdiction to determine the validity, legality, or constitutionality of the amendment and enter its decree accordingly. The court may grant a writ of injunction enjoining the governor and state commissioner of elections from submitting the constitutional amendment to the electorate, if the proposed constitutional amendment is found to be invalid, illegal, or unconstitutional.

2. An amendment to the Constitution of the State of Iowa which has been proposed and agreed to by the general assembly and has been agreed to by the succeeding general assembly shall not be determined invalid in any action challenging the validity, legality, or constitutionality of such amendment in the event of an error or omission occurring with one of the publication requirements of section 49A.1 and shall be submitted to the electorate for ratification at the next general or special election as determined by the general assembly.

49A.11 Parties.

In a suit under section 49A.10, the taxpayer shall be plaintiff and the governor and state commissioner of elections shall be defendants. Any taxpayer may intervene, either as party plaintiff or defendant.

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Title II – Chapter 50

CHAPTER 50 – CANVASS OF VOTES

50.1 Definitions.

50.1A Canvass by officials.

At every election conducted under chapter 49, except the primary election provided for by chapter 43, and at every other election unless the law authorizing the election otherwise requires, the vote shall be canvassed at each polling place by the election board in the manner prescribed by this chapter. When the poll is closed, the precinct election officials shall forthwith, and without adjournment:

Publicly canvass the vote, and credit each candidate with the number of votes counted for the candidate.
Ascertain the result of the vote.
Prepare in writing a list of any apparently or possibly erroneous information appearing in the precinct election register.
Designate two election board members, not members of the same political party, who shall each separately keep a tally list of the count.

50.2 One tally list in certain machine precincts. Repealed by 2009 Acts, ch 57, §96.

50.3 Double or defective ballots.

If two or more marked ballots are so folded together as to appear to be cast as one, the precinct election officials shall endorse thereon “Rejected as double”. Such ballots shall not be counted, but shall be folded together and kept as hereinafter directed. Every ballot not counted shall be endorsed “Defective” on the back thereof.

50.4 Ballots objected to.

Every ballot objected to by a precinct election official or challenger, but counted, shall be endorsed on the back thereof, “Objected to”, and there shall also be endorsed thereon, and signed by the officials, a statement as to how it was counted.

50.5 Disputed ballots returned separately.

All ballots endorsed as required by sections 50.3 and 50.4 shall be enclosed and securely sealed in an envelope, on which the precinct election officials shall endorse “Disputed ballots”, with a signed statement of the precinct in which, and date of the election at which, they were cast.

50.6 Votes in excess of voter declarations.

If the number of votes cast for any office or on any question exceeds the number of voters’ declarations of eligibility signed as required by section 49.77, such fact shall be certified, with the number of the excess, in the return.

50.7 Error on county office — township office.

If, in case of such excess, the vote of the precinct where the error occurred would change the result as to a county office if the person appearing to be elected were deprived of so many votes, then the election shall be set aside as to that person in that precinct, and a new election ordered therein; but no person who was not a registered voter in that precinct at the time of the general election shall be allowed to vote at such special election. If the error occurs in relation to an office of a city, school district, township, or of any special district whose elections may be conducted under this chapter, the governing body of the political subdivision involved may order a new election or not, in their discretion.

50.8 Error on state or district office — tie vote.

If the error is in relation to a district or state office, the error shall be certified with the number of the excess to the state commissioner. If the error affects the result of the election, the canvass shall be suspended and a new vote ordered in the precinct where the error occurred. When there is a tie vote due to such an excess, there shall be a new election. A person who was not a registered voter in that precinct at the time of the general election shall not be allowed to vote at the special election. When the new vote is taken and returned, the canvass shall be completed.

50.9 Return of ballots not voted.

Ballots not voted, or spoiled by voters while attempting to vote, shall be returned by the precinct election officials to the commissioner, and a receipt taken for the ballots. The spoiled ballots shall be preserved for twenty-two months following elections for federal offices and for six months following elections for all other offices. The commissioner shall record the number of ballots sent to the polling places but not voted. The ballots not voted shall be destroyed after the end of the period for contesting the election. However, if a contest is requested, the ballots not voted shall be preserved until the election contest is concluded.

50.10 Record of ballots returned.

The commissioner shall enter on the record maintained as required by section 49.65 a notation of the number and character of the ballots returned from each precinct, and the time when and the person by whom they are returned.

50.11 Proclamation of result.

1. When the canvass is completed one of the precinct election officials shall publicly announce the total number of votes received by each of the persons voted for, the office for which the person is designated, as announced by the designated tally keepers, and the number of votes for, and the number of votes against, any proposition which shall have been submitted to a vote of the people. A precinct election official shall communicate the election results by telephone or in person to the commissioner who is conducting the election immediately upon completion of the canvass.

2. Election results may be transmitted electronically from voting equipment to the commissioner’s office only after the precinct election officials have produced a written report of the election results. The devices used for the electronic transmission of election results shall be approved for use by the board of examiners pursuant to section 52.41. The state commissioner of elections shall adopt rules establishing procedures for the electronic transmission of election results.

3. The commissioner shall remain on duty until such information is communicated to the commissioner from each polling place in the commissioner’s county. For an election for a political subdivision that is located in more than one county, the commissioner shall, if applicable, communicate that county’s election results for the political subdivision to the controlling commissioner for that political subdivision under section 47.2, and the controlling commissioner shall remain on duty until such information is communicated to the controlling commissioner from each commissioner for the political subdivision.

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 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 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.

50.13 Destruction of ballots.

If, at the expiration of the length of time specified in section 50.12, a contest is not pending, the commissioner, without opening the package in which they have been enclosed, shall destroy the ballots.
If the ballots are to be shredded, the package may be opened, if necessary, but the ballots shall not be examined before shredding. Shredded ballots may be recycled. The commissioner shall invite the chairperson of each of the political parties to designate a person to witness the destruction of the ballots.

50.14 Repealed by 89 Acts, ch 136, §75.

50.15 Destruction in abeyance pending contest.

If a contest is pending, the ballots shall be kept until the contest is finally determined, and then so destroyed.

50.15A Unofficial results of voting — general election only.

In order to provide the public with an early source of election results before the official canvass of votes, the state commissioner of elections, in cooperation with the commissioners of elections, shall conduct an unofficial canvass of election results following the closing of the polls on the day of a general election. The unofficial canvass shall report election results for national offices, statewide offices, the office of state representative, the office of state senator, and other offices or public measures at the discretion of the state commissioner of elections. The unofficial canvass shall also report the total number of ballots cast at the general election.
a. After the polls close on election day, the commissioner of elections shall periodically provide election results to the state commissioner of elections as the precincts in the county report election results to the commissioner pursuant to section 50.11. If the commissioner determines that all precincts will not report election results before the office is closed, the commissioner shall report the most complete results available prior to leaving the office at the time the office is closed as provided in section 50.11. The commissioner shall specify the number of precincts included in the report to the state commissioner of elections.
The state commissioner of elections shall tabulate unofficial election results as the results are received from the commissioners of elections and shall periodically make the reports of the results available to the public.
Before the day of the general election, the state commissioner of elections shall provide a form and instructions for reporting unofficial election results pursuant to this section.

50.16 Tally list of board.

The tally list shall be prepared in writing by the election board giving, in legibly printed numerals, the total number of people who cast ballots in the precinct, the total number of ballots cast for each office, except those rejected, the name of each person voted for, and the number of votes given to each person for each different office. The tally list shall be signed by the precinct election officials, and be substantially as follows:

At an election at ……………. in ……………. township, or in ……………. precinct of ……………. city or township, in ……………. county, state of Iowa, on the ………… day of ……………., there were ………… ballots cast for the office of ………………………………………… of which

(Candidate’s name) …………………………………. had ……………. votes.

(and in the same manner for any other officer).

A true tally list:

(Name) ………………………………………………………….. Election Board

(Name) ………………………………………………………….. Members.

(Name) …………………………………………………………..

Attest:

(Name) ………………………………………………………….. Designated

(Name) ………………………………………………………….. Tally Keepers.

50.17 Return of election register.

The precinct election register prepared for each election, together with the ballots to be returned pursuant to section 50.12, if any, and the signed and attested tally list, shall be delivered to the commissioner by one of the precinct election officials by noon of the day following the election.

50.18 Reserved.

50.19 Preservation and destruction of books.

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 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. 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.
Material pertaining to elections for federal offices, including ballots, precinct election registers, declarations of eligibility signed by voters, documents relating to absentee ballots, and challenges of voters, shall be preserved for twenty-two months after the election. If a contest is not pending the materials may be destroyed at the end of the retention period.

50.20 Notice of number of provisional ballots.

The commissioner shall compile a list of the number of provisional ballots cast under section 49.81 in each precinct. The list shall be made available to the public as soon as possible, but in no case later than 9:00 a.m. on the second day following the election. Any elector may examine the list during normal office hours, and may also examine the affidavits on the envelopes containing the ballots of challenged electors until the reconvening of the special precinct board as required by this chapter. Only those persons so permitted by section 53.23, subsection 4, shall have access to the affidavits while that board is in session. Any elector may present written statements or documents, supporting or opposing the counting of any provisional ballot, at the commissioner’s office until the reconvening of the special precinct board.

50.21 Special precinct board reconvened.

The commissioner shall reconvene the election board of the special precinct established by section 53.20 not earlier than noon on the second day following each election which is required by law to be canvassed on the Monday or Tuesday following the election. If the second day following such an election is a legal holiday the special precinct election board may be convened at noon on the day following the election, and if the canvass of the election is scheduled at any time earlier than the Monday following the election, the special precinct election board shall be reconvened at noon on the day following the election.
If no provisional ballots were cast in the county pursuant to section 49.81 at any election, the special precinct election board need not be so reconvened. If the number of provisional ballots cast at any election is not sufficient to require reconvening of the entire election board of the special precinct, the commissioner may reconvene only the number of members required. If the number of provisional ballots cast at any election exceeds the number of absentee ballots cast, the size of the special precinct election board may be increased at the commissioner’s discretion. The commissioner shall observe the requirements of sections 49.12 and 49.13 in making adjustments to the size of the special precinct election board.

50.22 Special precinct board to determine challenges and canvass absentee ballots.

Upon being reconvened, the special precinct election board shall review the information upon the envelopes bearing the provisional ballots, and all evidence submitted in support of or opposition to the right of each challenged person to vote in the election. The board may divide itself into panels of not less than three members each in order to hear and determine two or more challenges simultaneously, but each panel shall meet the requirements of section 49.12 as regards political party affiliation of the members of each panel.
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.
If a provisional ballot is rejected, the person casting the ballot shall be notified by the commissioner within ten days of the reason for the rejection, on the form prescribed by the state commissioner pursuant to section 53.25, and the envelope containing the provisional ballot shall be preserved unopened and disposed of in the same manner as spoiled ballots. The provisional ballots which are accepted shall be counted in the manner prescribed by section 53.23, subsection 5. The commissioner shall make public the number of provisional ballots rejected and not counted, at the time of the canvass of the election.
The special precinct board shall also canvass any absentee ballots which were received after the polls closed in accordance with section 53.17. If necessary, they shall reconvene again on the day of the canvass by the board of supervisors to canvass any absentee ballots which were timely received. The special precinct board shall submit their tally list to the supervisors before the conclusion of the canvass by the board.

50.23 Messengers for missing tally lists.

The commissioner shall send messengers for all tally lists not received in the commissioner’s office by noon of the day following the election. The expense of securing such tally lists shall be paid by the county.

50.24 Canvass by board of supervisors.

1. The county board of supervisors shall meet to canvass the vote on the first Monday or Tuesday after the day of each election to which this chapter is applicable, unless the law authorizing the election specifies another date for the canvass. If that Monday or Tuesday is a public holiday, section 4.1, subsection 34, controls.

2. Upon convening, the board shall open and canvass the tally lists and shall prepare abstracts stating the number of votes cast in the county, or in that portion of the county in which the election was held, for each office and on each question on the ballot for the election. The board shall contact the chairperson of the special precinct board before adjourning and include in the canvass any write-in votes tallied and recorded by the special precinct board or any absentee ballots which were received after the polls closed in accordance with section 53.17 and which were canvassed by the special precinct board after election day. The abstract shall further indicate the name of each person who received votes for each office on the ballot, and the number of votes each person named received for that office, and the number of votes for and against each question submitted to the voters at the election. The votes of all write-in candidates who each received less than five percent of the votes cast for an office shall be reported collectively under the heading “scattering”.

3. The board shall certify an election canvass summary report prepared by the commissioner. The election canvass summary report shall include the results of the election, including scatterings, overvotes, and undervotes, by precinct for each contest and public measure that appeared on the ballot of the election being canvassed. However, if paper ballots are used pursuant to section 49.26, the election canvass summary report shall not include overvotes and undervotes.

4. For a regular or special city election or a city runoff election, if the city is located in more than one county, the controlling commissioner for that city under section 47.2 shall conduct a second canvass on the second Monday or Tuesday after the day of the election. However, if a recount is requested pursuant to section 50.48, the controlling commissioner shall conduct the second canvass within two business days after the conclusion of the recount proceedings. Each commissioner conducting a canvass for the city pursuant to subsection 1 shall transmit abstracts for the offices and public measures of that city to the controlling commissioner for that city, along with individual tallies for each write-in candidate. At the second canvass, the county board of supervisors of the county of the controlling commissioner shall canvass the abstracts received pursuant to this subsection and shall prepare a combined city abstract stating the number of votes cast in the city for each office and on each question on the ballot for the city election. The combined city abstract shall further indicate the name of each person who received votes for each office on the ballot, the number of votes each person named received for that office, and the number of votes for and against each question submitted to the voters at the election. The votes of all write-in candidates who each received less than five percent of the total votes cast in the city for an office shall be reported collectively under the heading “scattering”.

5. a. For a regular or special school election, if the school district is located in more than one county, the controlling commissioner for that school district under section 47.2 shall conduct a second canvass on the second Monday or Tuesday after the day of election. However, if a recount is requested pursuant to section 50.48, the controlling commissioner shall conduct the second canvass within two business days after the conclusion of the recount proceedings. Each commissioner conducting a canvass for the school district pursuant to subsection 1 shall transmit abstracts for the offices and public measures of that school district to the controlling commissioner for that school district, along with individual tallies for each write-in candidate. At the second canvass the county board of supervisors of the controlling county shall canvass the abstracts received pursuant to this subsection and shall prepare a combined school district abstract stating the number of votes cast in the school district for each office and on each question on the ballot for the school election. The combined school district abstract shall further indicate the name of each person who received votes for each office on the ballot, the number of votes each person named received for that office, and the number of votes for and against each question submitted to the voters at the election. The votes of all write-in candidates who each received less than five percent of the total votes cast in the school district for an office shall be reported collectively under the heading “scattering”.

b. The second canvass of votes for a merged area shall be conducted pursuant to section 260C.15, subsection 5, and each commissioner conducting a canvass for the merged area pursuant to subsection 1 shall transmit abstracts for the offices and public measures of that school district to the controlling commissioner for that merged area, along with individual tallies for each write-in candidate.

6. Any obvious clerical errors in the tally lists from the precincts shall be corrected by the supervisors. Complete records of any changes shall be recorded in the minutes of the canvass.

50.25 Abstract of votes in the general election.

At the canvass of the general election, the abstract of the votes for each of the following classes shall be made on a different sheet:
President and vice president of the United States.
Senator in the Congress of the United States.
Representative in the Congress of the United States.
Governor and lieutenant governor.
A state officer not otherwise provided for.
Senator or representative in the general assembly by districts.
The abstract of the votes for each county office is not required to be made on a different sheet.

50.26 Duplicate abstracts.

All abstracts of votes cast in the general election, except the abstracts of votes for county officers, shall be made in duplicate, and signed by the board of county canvassers. One of said abstracts shall be forwarded to the state commissioner, and the other filed by the commissioner.

50.27 Declaration of election.

Each abstract of the votes for such officers as the county alone elects at the general election, except district judges and senators and representatives in the general assembly, or of the votes for officers of political subdivisions whose elections are conducted by the commissioner, shall contain a declaration of whom the canvassers determine to be elected. Each abstract of votes for and against each public question submitted to and decided by the voters of the county alone, or of a single political subdivision whose elections the county board canvasses, shall contain a declaration of the result as determined by the canvassers. When a public question has been submitted to the voters of a political subdivision whose elections the county board canvasses, the commissioner shall certify a duplicate of the abstract and declaration to the governing body of the political subdivision.

50.28 Tally lists filed.

When the canvass is concluded, the board shall deliver the original tally lists to the commissioner, who shall file the same, and record each of the abstracts above mentioned in the election book.

50.29 Certificate of election.

When any person is thus declared elected, there shall be delivered to that person a certificate of election, under the official seal of the county, in substance as follows:

STATE OF IOWA )

………………………….. County. )

At an election held in said county on the ………… day of ……………….. (month), ………… (year), …………………… (candidate’s name) was elected to the office of …………………… for the term of ………… years from the ………… day of ……………….. (month), ………… (year) [if elected to fill a vacancy, for the residue of the term ending on the ………… day of ……………….. (month), ………… (year)], and until a successor is elected and qualified.

…………………………………………….,

President of Board of Canvassers.

Witness, …………………………………………….,

County Commissioner of Elections

(clerk).

The certificate of election is presumptive evidence of the person’s election and qualification.

50.30 Abstracts forwarded to state commissioner.

The commissioner shall, within thirteen days after the election, forward to the state commissioner one of the duplicate abstracts of votes for each of the following offices:
President and vice president of the United States.
Senator in Congress.
Representative in Congress.
Governor and lieutenant governor.
Senator or representative in the general assembly by districts.
A state officer not otherwise specified above.
The abstracts for all offices except governor and lieutenant governor shall be enclosed in a securely sealed envelope.

50.30A Election canvass summary forwarded to state commissioner.

The commissioner shall, within thirteen days after each primary election, general election, and special election conducted pursuant to section 69.14, forward to the state commissioner a true and exact copy of the election canvass summary report certified by the county board of canvassers.

50.31 Abstracts for governor and lieutenant governor.

1. The envelope containing the abstracts of votes for governor and lieutenant governor shall be endorsed substantially as follows:

Abstract of votes for governor and lieutenant governor from …… county.

2. After being so endorsed, the envelope shall be addressed as follows:

To the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

50.32 Endorsement on other envelope.

The envelope for offices other than governor and lieutenant governor shall be endorsed substantially in the manner provided in section 50.31, with changes necessary to indicate the particular offices, and shall be addressed as follows:

To the State Commissioner of Elections.

50.33 Forwarding of envelopes.

The envelopes, including the one addressed to the speaker, after being prepared, sealed, and endorsed as required by this chapter, shall be placed in one package and forwarded to the state commissioner.

50.34 Missing abstracts.

If the abstracts from any county are not received at the office of the state commissioner within fifteen days after the day of election, the state commissioner shall send a messenger to the commissioner of such county, who shall furnish the messenger with them, or, if they have been sent, with a copy thereof, and the messenger shall return them to the state commissioner without delay.

50.35 Delivery of abstracts.

The envelopes containing the abstracts of votes for governor and lieutenant governor shall not be opened by the state commissioner, but the state commissioner shall securely preserve the same and deliver them to the speaker of the house of representatives at the time said abstracts are canvassed as provided by law.

50.36 Envelopes containing other abstracts — canvass.

The secretary of state, upon receipt of the envelopes containing the abstracts of votes, shall open and canvass the abstracts for all offices except governor and lieutenant governor.
The secretary of state shall invite to attend the canvass one representative from each political party which, at the last preceding general election, 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, 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.

50.37 State canvassing board.

The executive council shall constitute a board of canvassers of all abstracts of votes required to be filed with the state commissioner, except for the offices of governor and lieutenant governor. Any clerical error found by the secretary of state or state board of canvassers shall be corrected by the county commissioner in a letter addressed to the state board of canvassers.

50.38 Time of state canvass.

Not later than twenty-seven days after the day of the election, the secretary of state shall present to the board of state canvassers abstracts of votes cast at the election showing the number of ballots cast for each office and a summary of the results for each office, showing the votes cast in each county. The state board of canvassers shall review the results compiled by the secretary of state and, if the results are accurately tabulated, the state board shall approve the canvass.

50.39 Abstract.

The state board of canvassers shall make an abstract stating the number of ballots cast for each office, the names of all the persons voted for, for what office, the number of votes each received, and whom the state board of canvassers declares to be elected, and if a public question has been submitted to the voters of the state, the number of ballots cast for and against the question and a declaration of the result as determined by the canvassers; which abstract shall be signed by the canvassers in their official capacity and as state canvassers, and have the seal of the state affixed.

50.40 Record of canvass.

The state commissioner shall file the abstracts when received and shall have the same bound in book form to be kept by the state commissioner as a record of the result of said state election, to be known as the state election book.

50.41 Certificate of election.

Each person declared elected by the state board of canvassers shall receive a certificate, signed by the governor or, in the governor’s absence, by the secretary of state, with the seal of state affixed, attested by the other canvassers, to be in substance as follows:

STATE OF IOWA:

To ………………………….. (candidate’s name): It is hereby certified that, at an election held on the ……………. day of …………………… you were elected to the office of …………………… of Iowa, for the term of ………… years, from the ……………. day of …………………… (or if to fill a vacancy, for the residue of the term, ending on the ……………. day of ……………………).

Given at the seat of government this ……………. day of ……………………

If the governor is absent, the certificate of the election of the secretary of state shall be signed by the auditor. The certificate to members of the legislature shall describe, by the number, the district from which the member is elected.

50.42 Certificates mailed.

The state commissioner shall prepare and deliver or mail certificates of election to the persons declared elected.

50.43 Senator or representative.

The certificate of the election of a senator or representative in Congress shall be signed by the governor, with the seal of the state affixed, and be countersigned by the secretary of state.

50.44 Tie vote.

If more than the requisite number of persons, including presidential electors, are found to have an equal and the highest number of votes, the election of one of them shall be determined by lot. The name of each of such candidates shall be written on separate pieces of paper, as nearly uniform in size and material as possible, and placed in a receptacle so that the names cannot be seen. In the presence of the board of canvassers, one of them shall publicly draw one of such names, and such person shall be declared elected. The result of such drawing shall be entered upon the abstract of votes and duly recorded, and a certificate of election issued to such person, as provided in this chapter.

50.45 Canvass public — result determined.

All canvasses of tally lists shall be public, and the persons having the greatest number of votes shall be declared elected. When a public measure has been submitted to the electors, the proposition shall be declared to have been adopted if the vote cast in favor of the question is greater than fifty percent of the total vote cast in favor and against the question, unless laws pertaining specifically to the public measure election establish a higher percentage of a favorable vote. All ballots cast and not counted as a vote in favor or against the proposition shall not be used in computing the total vote cast in favor and against the proposition.

50.46 Special elections — canvass and certificate.

When a special election has been held to fill a vacancy, pursuant to section 69.14, the board of county canvassers shall meet no earlier than 1:00 p.m. on the second day after the election, and canvass the votes cast at the election. If the second day after the election is a public holiday, section 4.1, subsection 34, controls. The commissioner, as soon as the canvass is completed, shall transmit to the state commissioner an abstract of the votes so canvassed, and the state board, within five days after receiving such abstracts, shall canvass the tally lists. A certificate of election shall be issued by the county or state board of canvassers, as in other cases. All the provisions regulating elections, obtaining tally lists, and canvass of votes at general elections, except as to time, shall apply to special elections.

50.47 Messengers for election tally lists.

Messengers sent for the tally lists of elections shall be paid from the state or county treasury for necessary travel expense.

50.48 General recount provisions.

1. a. The county board of canvassers shall order a recount of the votes cast for a particular office or nomination in one or more specified election precincts in that county if a written request for a recount is made not later than 5:00 p.m. on the third day following the county board’s canvass of the election in question. For a city runoff election held pursuant to section 376.9, the written request must be made not later than 5:00 p.m. on the day following the county board’s canvass of the city runoff election. The request shall be filed with the commissioner of that county and shall be signed by either of the following:

(1) A candidate for that office or nomination whose name was printed on the ballot of the precinct or precincts where the recount is requested.

(2) Any other person who receives votes for that particular office or nomination in the precinct or precincts where the recount is requested and who is legally qualified to seek and to hold the office in question.

b. Immediately upon receipt of a request for a recount, the commissioner shall send a copy of the request to the apparent winner by certified mail. The commissioner shall also attempt to contact the apparent winner by telephone. If the apparent winner cannot be reached within four days, the chairperson of the political party or organization which nominated the apparent winner shall be contacted and shall act on behalf of the apparent winner, if necessary. For candidates for state or federal offices, the chairperson of the state party shall be contacted. For candidates for county offices, the county chairperson of the party shall be contacted.

2. a. The candidate requesting a recount under this section shall post a bond, unless the abstracts prepared pursuant to section 50.24, or section 43.49 in the case of a primary election, indicate that the difference between the total number of votes cast for the apparent winner and the total number of votes cast for the candidate requesting the recount is less than the greater of fifty votes or one percent of the total number of votes cast for the office or nomination in question. If a recount is requested for an office to which more than one person was elected, the vote difference calculations shall be made using the difference between the number of votes received by the person requesting the recount and the number of votes received by the apparent winner who received the fewest votes. Where votes cast for that office or nomination were canvassed in more than one county, the abstracts prepared by the county boards in all of those counties shall be totaled for purposes of this subsection. If a bond is required, it shall be filed with the state commissioner for recounts involving a state office, including a seat in the general assembly, or a seat in the United States Congress, and with the commissioner responsible for conducting the election in all other cases, and shall be in the following amount:

(1) For an office filled by the electors of the entire state, one thousand dollars.

(2) For United States representative, five hundred dollars.

(3) For senator in the general assembly, three hundred dollars.

(4) For representative in the general assembly, one hundred fifty dollars.

(5) For an office filled by the electors of an entire county having a population of fifty thousand or more, two hundred dollars.

(6) For any elective office to which subparagraphs (1) through (5) are not applicable, one hundred dollars.

b. After all recount proceedings for a particular office are completed and the official canvass of votes cast for that office is corrected or completed pursuant to subsections 5 and 6, if necessary, any bond posted under this subsection shall be returned to the candidate who requested the recount if the apparent winner before the recount is not the winner as shown by the corrected or completed canvass. In all other cases, the bond shall be deposited in the general fund of the state if filed with the state commissioner or in the election fund of the county with whose commissioner it was filed.

3. a. The recount shall be conducted by a board which shall consist of:

(1) A designee of the candidate requesting the recount, who shall be named in the written request when it is filed.

(2) A designee of the apparent winning candidate, who shall be named by that candidate at or before the time the board is required to convene.

(3) A person chosen jointly by the members designated under subparagraphs (1) and (2).

b. The commissioner shall convene the persons designated under paragraph “a”, subparagraphs (1) and (2), not later than 9:00 a.m. on the seventh day following the county board’s canvass of the election in question. If those two members cannot agree on the third member by 8:00 a.m. on the ninth day following the canvass, they shall immediately so notify the chief judge of the judicial district in which the canvass is occurring, who shall appoint the third member not later than 5:00 p.m. on the eleventh day following the canvass.

4. a. When all members of the recount board have been selected, the board shall undertake and complete the required recount as expeditiously as reasonably possible. The commissioner or the commissioner’s designee shall supervise the handling of ballots to ensure that the ballots are protected from alteration or damage. The board shall open only the sealed ballot containers from the precincts specified to be recounted in the request or by the recount board. The board shall recount only the ballots which were voted and counted for the office in question, including any disputed ballots returned as required in section 50.5. If automatic tabulating equipment was used to count the ballots, the recount board may request the commissioner to retabulate the ballots using the automatic tabulating equipment. The same program used for tabulating the votes on election day shall be used at the recount unless the program is believed or known to be flawed.

b. Any member of the recount board may at any time during the recount proceedings extend the recount of votes cast for the office or nomination in question to any other precinct or precincts in the same county, or from which the returns were reported to the commissioner responsible for conducting the election, without the necessity of posting additional bond.

c. The ballots shall be resealed by the recount board before adjournment and shall be preserved as required by section 50.12. At the conclusion of the recount, the recount board shall make and file with the commissioner a written report of its findings, which shall be signed by at least two members of the recount board. The recount board shall complete the recount and file its report not later than the eighteenth day following the county board’s canvass of the election in question.

5. If the recount board’s report is that the abstracts prepared pursuant to the county board’s canvass were incorrect as to the number of votes cast for the candidates for the office or nomination in question, in that county or district, the commissioner shall at once so notify the county board. The county board shall reconvene within three days after being so notified, and shall correct its previous proceedings.

6. The commissioner shall promptly notify the state commissioner of any recount of votes for an office to which section 50.30 or section 43.60 in the case of a primary election, is applicable. If necessary, the state canvass required by section 50.38, or by section 43.63, as the case may be, shall be delayed with respect to the office or the nomination to which the recount pertains. The commissioner shall subsequently inform the state commissioner at the earliest possible time whether any change in the outcome of the election in that county or district resulted from the recount.

7. If the election is a city primary election held pursuant to section 376.7, the recount shall progress according to the times provided by this subsection. If this subsection applies the canvass shall be held by the second day after the election, the request for a recount must be made by the third day after the election, the board shall convene to conduct the recount by the sixth day after the election, and the report shall be filed by the eighth day after the election.

8. When a city council has chosen a runoff election pursuant to section 376.9, the recount shall progress according to the times provided by this subsection. If this subsection applies, the canvass shall be conducted pursuant to section 50.24. The request for a recount must be made by the day after the canvass, and the board shall convene for the first time not later than the first Friday following the canvass. The report shall be filed not later than the fourteenth day after the election.

50.49 Recounts for public measures.

A recount for any public measure shall be ordered by the board of canvassers if a petition requesting a recount is filed with the county commissioner not later than three days after the completion of the canvass of votes for the election at which the question appeared on the ballot. The petition shall be signed by the greater of not less than ten eligible electors or a number of eligible electors equaling one percent of the total number of votes cast upon the public measure. Each petitioner must be a person who was entitled to vote on the public measure in question or would have been so entitled if registered to vote.
The recount shall be conducted by a board which shall consist of:
A designee named in the petition requesting the recount.
A designee named by the commissioner at or before the time the board is required to convene.
A person chosen jointly by the members designated under paragraphs “a” and “b”.
The commissioner shall convene the persons designated under subsection 2, paragraphs “a” and “b”, not later than 9:00 a.m. on the seventh day following the canvass of the election in question. If those two members cannot agree on the third member by 8:00 a.m. on the ninth day following the canvass, they shall immediately notify the chief judge of the judicial district in which the canvass is occurring, who shall appoint the third member not later than 5:00 p.m. on the eleventh day following the canvass.
The petitioners requesting the recount shall post a bond as required by section 50.48, subsection 2. The amount of the bond shall be one thousand dollars for a public measure appearing on the ballot statewide or one hundred dollars for any other public measure. If the difference between the affirmative and negative votes cast on the public measure is less than the greater of fifty votes or one percent of the total number of votes cast for and against the question, a bond is not required. If approval by sixty percent of the votes cast is required for adoption of the public measure, no bond is required if the difference between sixty percent of the total votes cast for and against the question and the number of affirmative votes cast is less than the greater of fifty votes or one percent of the total number of votes cast.
The procedure for the recount shall follow the provisions of section 50.48, subsections 4 through 7, as far as possible.

50.50 Administrative recounts.

The commissioner who was responsible for conducting an election may request an administrative recount when the commissioner suspects that voting equipment used in the election malfunctioned or that programming errors may have affected the outcome of the election, or if the precinct election officials report counting errors to the commissioner after the conclusion of the canvass of votes in the precinct. An administrative recount shall be conducted by the board of the special precinct established by section 53.23. Bond shall not be required for an administrative recount. The state commissioner may adopt rules for administrative recounts.
If the recount board finds that there is an error in the programming of any voting equipment which may have affected the outcome of the election for any office or public measure on the ballot, the recount board shall describe the errors in its report to the commissioner. The commissioner shall notify the board of supervisors. The supervisors shall determine whether to order an administrative recount for any or all of the offices and public measures on the ballot.

50.51 Election audits.

1. After each general election, the state commissioner shall, with the cooperation of the county commissioners, conduct an audit of the official canvass of votes from the preceding general election.

2. The state commissioner shall determine the number of counties and precincts to be audited and shall select the precincts to be audited by lot. The absentee ballot and special voters precinct for each county, established pursuant to section 53.20, shall be included with all other precincts of the county for selection by lot. In every precinct selected, the commissioner shall conduct a hand count of ballots cast in the preceding general election for president of the United States or governor, as the case may be. The hand count may be of less than all ballots cast, in accordance with rules adopted by the state commissioner.

a. A representative selected by each of the two political parties whose candidates received the highest number of votes statewide in the preceding general election shall be invited to observe the hand count. The commissioner shall notify the county chairperson of each political party a minimum of two days before the hand count of the time and place of the hand count.

b. If an invited representative does not appear at the hand count, the commissioner shall notify the state commissioner.

3. a. The commissioner may order an administrative recount pursuant to section 50.50 if the commissioner determines the results of an audit require an administrative recount.

b. If selected to conduct an audit, the commissioner shall provide an audit report to the county board of supervisors and shall transmit the audit report to the state commissioner no later than twenty days following the election.

4. The results of an audit conducted pursuant to this section shall not change the results, or invalidate the certification, of an election.

5. In advance of any other election, the state commissioner may order an audit of the election in the manner provided in this section.

6. The state commissioner shall adopt rules, pursuant to chapter 17A, to implement this section, which may include the establishment of pilot programs related to post-election audits.

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Title II – Chapter 51

CHAPTER 51 – DOUBLE ELECTION BOARDS [Repealed by 2010 Acts, ch 1060, §8, 9]

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Title II – Chapter 52

CHAPTER 52 – VOTING SYSTEMS

52.1 Voting systems — definitions.

At all elections conducted under chapter 49, and at any other election unless the commissioner directs otherwise pursuant to section 49.26, votes shall be cast, registered, recorded, and counted by means of optical scan voting systems, in accordance with this chapter.
As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:
“Automatic tabulating equipment” means apparatus, including but not limited to electronic data processing machines, that are utilized to ascertain the manner in which optical scan ballots have been marked by voters or by electronic ballot marking devices, and count the votes marked on the ballots.
“Ballot” includes paper ballots designed to be read by automatic tabulating equipment. In appropriate contexts, “ballot” also includes conventional paper ballots.
“Ballot marking device” means a pen, pencil, or similar writing tool, or an electronic device, all designed for use in marking an optical scan ballot, and so designed or fabricated that the mark it leaves may be detected and the vote so cast counted by automatic tabulating equipment.
“Optical scan ballot” means a printed ballot designed to be marked by a voter with a ballot marking device.
“Optical scan voting system” means a system employing paper ballots under which votes are cast by voters by marking paper ballots with a ballot marking device and thereafter counted by use of automatic tabulating equipment.
“Program” means the written record of the set of instructions defining the operations to be performed by a computer in examining, counting, tabulating, and printing votes.

52.2 Optical scan voting system required.

Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, for elections held on or after November 4, 2008, a county shall use an optical scan voting system only. The requirements of the federal Help America Vote Act, Pub. L. No. 107-252, 116 Stat. 1666, relating to disabled voters shall be met by a county through the use of electronic ballot marking devices that are compatible with an optical scan voting system.

52.3 Terms of purchase — tax levy.

The county board of supervisors, on the adoption and purchase of an optical scan voting system, may issue bonds under section 331.441, subsection 2, paragraph “b”, subparagraph (1).

52.4 Examiners — term — removal.

The state commissioner of elections shall appoint three members to a board of examiners for voting systems, not more than two of whom shall be from the same political party. The examiners shall hold office for staggered terms of six years, subject to removal at the pleasure of the state commissioner of elections.
At least one of the examiners shall have been trained in computer programming and operations. The other two members shall be directly involved in the administration of elections and shall have experience in the use of optical scan voting systems.

52.5 Testing and examination of voting equipment.

A person or corporation owning or being interested in an optical scan voting system may request that the state commissioner call upon the board of examiners to examine and test the system. Within seven days of receiving a request for examination and test, the state commissioner shall notify the board of examiners of the request in writing and set a time and place for the examination and test.
The state commissioner shall formulate, with the advice and assistance of the examiners, and adopt rules governing the testing and examination of any optical scan voting system by the board of examiners. The rules shall prescribe the method to be used in determining whether the system is suitable for use within the state and performance standards for voting equipment in use within the state. The rules shall provide that all optical scan voting systems approved for use by the examiners after April 9, 2003, shall meet voting systems performance and test standards, as adopted by the federal election commission on April 30, 2002, and as deemed adopted by Pub. L. No. 107-252, §222. The rules shall include standards for determining when recertification is necessary following modifications to the equipment or to the programs used in tabulating votes, and a procedure for rescinding certification if a system is found not to comply with performance standards adopted by the state commissioner.
The state commissioner may employ a competent person or persons to assist the examiners in their evaluation of the equipment and to advise the examiners as to the sufficiency of the equipment. Consultant fees shall be paid by the person who requested the certification. Following the examination and testing of the optical scan voting system, the examiners shall report to the state commissioner describing the testing and examination of the system and upon the capacity of the system to register the will of voters, its accuracy and efficiency, and with respect to its mechanical perfections and imperfections. Their report shall be filed in the office of the state commissioner and shall state whether in their opinion the kind of system so examined can be safely used by voters at elections under the conditions prescribed in this chapter. If the report states that the system can be so used, it shall be deemed approved by the examiners, and systems of its kind may be adopted for use at elections as provided in this section. Any form of system not so approved cannot be used at any election.
Before actual use by a county of a particular optical scan voting system which has been approved for use in this state, the state commissioner shall formulate, with the advice and assistance of the examiners, and adopt rules governing the development of vote counting programs and all procedures used in actual counting of votes by means of that system.

52.6 Compensation.

Each examiner is entitled to one hundred fifty dollars for compensation and expenses in making an examination and report under section 52.5, to be paid by the person or corporation applying for the examination. However, each examiner shall receive not to exceed fifteen hundred dollars and reasonable expenses in any one year; and all sums collected for such examinations over and above said maximum salaries and expenses shall be turned in to the state treasury.
An examiner shall not have any interest whatever in any optical scan voting system reported upon.

52.7 Construction of machine approved — requirements. Repealed by 2009 Acts, ch 57, §96.

52.8. Repealed by Acts 2020 (88 G.A.) H.F. 2536, § 389, eff. July 1, 2020

52.9 and 52.10 Repealed by 2009 Acts, ch 57, §96.

52.11 through 52.16 Repealed by 2007 Acts, ch 190, §13.

52.17 and 52.18 Repealed by 2009 Acts, ch 57, §96.

52.19 Instructions.

In case any elector after entering the voting booth shall ask for further instructions concerning the manner of voting, two precinct election officials of opposite political parties shall give such instructions to the elector; but no precinct election official or other election officer or person assisting an elector shall in any manner request, suggest, or seek to persuade or induce any such elector to vote any particular ticket, or for any particular candidate, or for or against any particular amendment, question, or proposition. After receiving such instructions, the elector shall vote as in the case of an unassisted voter.

52.20 Injury to machine. Repealed by 2009 Acts, ch 57, §96.

52.21 and 52.22Repealed by 2007 Acts, ch 190, §13.

52.23 Written statements of election.

After the total vote for each candidate has been ascertained, and before leaving the room or voting place, the precinct election officials shall make and sign the tally list required in section 50.16. One copy of the printed results from each tabulating device shall be signed by all precinct election officials present and shall be attached to the tally list from the precinct. The printed results attached to the tally list shall reflect all votes cast in the precinct, including overvotes and undervotes, for each candidate and public measure on the ballot.

52.24 Separate ballots.

Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as prohibiting the use of a separate ballot for public measures.

52.25 Summary of amendment or public measure.

1. The question of a constitutional convention, amendments, and public measures including bond issues may be voted on ballots in the following manner:

a. The entire convention question, amendment, or public measure shall be printed and displayed prominently in at least one place within the voting precinct, and inside each voting booth, the printing to be in conformity with the provisions of chapter 49.

b. The question, amendment, or measure, and summaries thereof, shall be printed on the ballots. In no case shall the font size be less than ten point type.

2. The public measure shall be summarized by the commissioner, except that:

a. In the case of the question of a constitutional convention, or of an amendment or measure to be voted on in the entire state, the summary shall be worded by the state commissioner of elections as required by section 49.44.

b. In the case of a public question to be voted on in a political subdivision lying in more than one county, the summary shall be worded by the controlling commissioner under section 47.2 for that election.

52.26 Authorized optical scan voting system.

Every optical scan voting system approved by the state board of examiners for voting systems shall:
Provide for voting in secrecy, except as to persons entitled by sections 49.90 and 49.91 to assistance. The state board of examiners for voting systems shall determine whether the systems’ voting booths provide for voting in secrecy.
Permit each voter to vote at any election for any candidate for each office and upon each public question with respect to which the voter is entitled by law to vote, while preventing the voter from voting more than once upon any public question or casting more votes for any office than there are persons to be elected to that office.
Permit a voter to vote for any person for any office on the ballot at that election, whether or not the person’s name is printed on the ballot.
Be so constructed or designed that, when voting in a primary election in which candidates are nominated by political parties, a voter is limited to the candidates for the nominations of the political party with which that voter is affiliated.
Be so constructed or designed that in presidential elections the voter casts a vote for the presidential electors of any party or political organization by a single mark made opposite the name of the candidates of that party or organization for the offices of both president and vice president of the United States, and so that the voter is also provided the opportunity to write in the name of any person for whom the voter desires to vote for president or vice president of the United States.
Be so constructed or designed as to permit voting for candidates for nomination or election of at least seven different political parties or organizations, and to permit voting for all of the candidates of any one political party or organization by a single mark, at any one election.
A punch card voting system shall not be approved for use.

52.27 Commissioner to provide optical scan voting equipment.

The commissioner having jurisdiction of any precinct for which the board of supervisors has adopted voting by means of an optical scan voting system shall, as soon as practicable thereafter, provide for use at each election held in the precinct optical scan ballots and ballot marking devices in appropriate numbers. The commissioner shall have custody of all equipment required for use of the optical scan voting system, and shall be responsible for maintaining it in good condition and for storing it between elections.

52.28 Optical scan voting system ballot forms.

The commissioner of each county in which the use of an optical scan voting system in one or more precincts has been authorized shall print text on optical scan ballots using black ink on white paper and shall determine the arrangement of candidates’ names and public questions upon the ballot or ballots used with the system. The ballot information shall be arranged as required by chapters 43 and 49, and by any relevant provisions of any statutes which specify the form of ballots for special elections, so far as possible within the constraints of the physical characteristics of the optical scan voting system in use in that county. The state commissioner may adopt rules requiring a reasonable degree of uniformity among counties in arrangement of optical scan voting system ballots.

52.29 Optical scan voting system sample ballots.

The commissioner shall provide for each precinct where an optical scan voting system is in use at least one sample optical scan ballot which shall be an exact copy of the official ballots as printed for that precinct. The sample ballot shall be posted prominently within the polling place, and shall be open to public inspection during the hours the polls are open on election day. If the ballot used on election day has offices or questions appearing on the back of the ballot, both sides of the sample ballot shall be displayed.

52.30 Procedure where votes cast on ballot cards. Repealed by 2002 Acts, ch 1134, §114, 115.

52.31 Procedure where votes cast on optical scan ballots.

Preparations for voting and voting at any election in a precinct where votes are to be received on optical scan ballots shall be in accordance with the provisions of chapter 49 governing voting upon conventional paper ballots with the following exceptions:

Before entering the voting booth each voter shall be cautioned to mark the ballot only with a ballot marking device provided in the booth or by the precinct election officials.
In each precinct where portable automatic tabulating equipment is used, the voter may personally insert the ballot into the tabulating device.

52.32 Procedure upon closing polls. Repealed by 2007 Acts, ch 190, §13.

52.33 Absentee voting by optical scan voting system.

In any county in which the board of supervisors has adopted voting by means of an optical scan voting system, the commissioner shall also conduct absentee voting by use of such a system. In any other county, the commissioner may with approval of the board of supervisors conduct absentee voting by use of an optical scan voting system. All provisions of chapter 53 shall apply to such absentee voting, so far as applicable. In counties where absentee voting is conducted by use of an optical scan voting system, the special precinct counting board shall, at the time required by chapter 53, prepare absentee ballots for tabulation in the manner prescribed by this chapter.
The absentee and special precinct board shall follow the process prescribed in section 52.37, subsection 1, in handling damaged or defective ballots and in counting write-in votes on optical scan ballots.

52.34 Counting center established. Repealed by 2007 Acts, ch 190, §13.

52.35 Equipment tested.

Before the date of any election at which votes are to be cast by means of an optical scan voting system, the commissioner shall have the automatic tabulating equipment, including the portable tabulating devices, tested to ascertain that it will correctly count the votes cast for all offices and on all public questions. Testing shall be completed not later than twelve hours before the opening of the polls on the morning of the election. The procedure for conducting the test shall be as follows:

For any election to fill a partisan office, the county chairperson of each political party shall be notified in writing of the date, time, and place the test will be conducted, so that they may be present or have a representative present. For every election, the commissioner shall publish notice of the date, time, and place the test will be conducted. The commissioner may include such notice in the notice of the election published pursuant to section 49.53. The test shall be open to the public.
The test shall be conducted by processing a preaudited group of ballots marked so as to record a predetermined number of valid votes for each candidate, and on each public question, on the ballot. The test group shall include for each office and each question one or more ballots having votes in excess of the number allowed by law for that office or question, in order to test the ability of the automatic tabulating equipment to reject such votes. Any observer may submit an additional test group of ballots which, if so submitted, shall also be tested. The state commissioner shall promulgate administrative rules establishing procedures for any additional test group of ballots submitted by an observer. If any error is detected, its cause shall be ascertained and corrected and an errorless count obtained before the automatic tabulating equipment is approved. When so approved, a statement attesting to the fact shall be signed by the commissioner and kept with the records of the election.
The test group of ballots used for the test shall be clearly labeled as such, and retained in the commissioner’s office. The test group of ballots and the programs used for the counting procedure shall be sealed, retained for the time required for and disposed of in the same manner as ballots cast in the election.
Those present for the test shall sign a certificate which shall read substantially as follows:

The undersigned certify that we were present and witnessed the testing of the following tabulating devices; that we believe the devices are in proper condition for use in the election of …………………… (date); that following the test the vote totals were erased from the memory of each tabulating device and a report was produced showing that all vote totals in the memory were set at 0000; that the devices were securely locked or sealed; and that the serial numbers and locations of the devices which were tested are listed below.

Signed ……………………………………………………

(name and political party affiliation, if applicable)

……………………………………………………

(name and political party affiliation, if applicable)

……………………………………………………

Voting equipment custodian

Dated …………………………………………

Precinct Location Serial Number

……………….. …………………… ……………………

52.36 Commissioner in charge of counting center — appointment of resolution board. Repealed by 2007 Acts, ch 190, §13.

52.37 Special precinct tabulation procedure.

The tabulation of absentee and provisional ballots cast by means of an optical scan voting system shall be conducted as follows:

a. If any ballot is found damaged or defective, so that it cannot be counted properly by the automatic tabulating equipment, a true duplicate shall be made by the resolution board team and substituted for the damaged or defective ballot, or, as an alternative, the valid votes on a defective ballot may be manually counted by the special precinct election board, whichever method is best suited to the system being used. All duplicate ballots shall be clearly labeled as such, and shall bear a serial number which shall also be recorded on the damaged or defective ballot.
The special precinct election board shall also tabulate any write-in votes which were cast. Write-in votes cast for a candidate whose name appears on the ballot for the same office shall be counted as a vote for the candidate indicated, if the vote is otherwise properly cast.
Ballots which are rejected by the tabulating equipment as blank because they have been marked with an unreadable marker shall be duplicated or tabulated as required by this subsection for damaged or defective ballots. The commissioner may instruct the special precinct election board to mark over voters’ unreadable marks using a marker compatible with the tabulating equipment. The special precinct election board shall take care to leave part of the original mark made by the voter. If it is impossible to mark over the original marks made by the voter without completely obliterating them, the ballot shall be duplicated.
The record printed by the automatic tabulating equipment, with the addition of a record of any write-in or other votes manually counted pursuant to this chapter, shall constitute the official return of the absentee ballot and special voters precinct. Upon completion of the tabulation of the votes, the result shall be announced and reported in substantially the manner required by section 50.11.
If for any reason it becomes impracticable to count all or any part of the ballots with the automatic tabulating equipment, the commissioner may direct that they be counted manually, in accordance with chapter 50 so far as applicable.

52.38 Testing portable tabulating devices. Repealed by 2007 Acts, ch 190, §13. See §52.35.

52.39 Reserved.

52.40 Early pick-up sites established — procedure. Repealed by 2007 Acts, ch 190, §13.

52.41 Electronic transmission of election results.

With the advice of the board of examiners for voting systems, the state commissioner shall adopt by rule standards for the examination and testing of devices for the electronic transmission of election results. All voting systems which contain devices for the electronic transmission of election results submitted to the examiners for examination and testing after July 1, 2003, shall comply with these standards.

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Title II – Chapter 53

CHAPTER 53 – ABSENT VOTERS

SUBCHAPTER I – GENERAL PROVISIONS

53.1 Right to vote — conditions.

Any registered voter may, subject to the provisions of this chapter, vote at any election:
When the voter expects to be absent on election day during the time the polls are open from the precinct in which the voter is a registered voter.
When, through illness or physical disability, the voter expects to be prevented from going to the polls and voting on election day.
When the voter expects to be unable to go to the polls and vote on election day.
A person who has been designated to have power of attorney by a registered voter does not have authority to request or to cast an absentee ballot on behalf of the registered voter.

53.1A Rules

The state commissioner shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A for the implementation of this chapter.

53.2 Application for ballot.

1. a. Any registered voter, under the circumstances specified in section 53.1, may on any day, except election day, and not more than one hundred twenty days prior to the date of the election, apply in person for an absentee ballot at the commissioner’s office or at any location designated by the commissioner. However, for those elections in which the commissioner directs the polls be opened at noon pursuant to section 49.73, a voter may apply in person for an absentee ballot at the commissioner’s office from 8:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. on election day.

b. A registered voter may make written application to the commissioner for an absentee ballot. A written application for an absentee ballot must be received by the commissioner no later than 5:00 p.m. on the same day as the voter registration deadline provided in section 48A.9 for the election for which the ballot is requested, except when the absentee ballot is requested and voted at the commissioner’s office pursuant to section 53.10. A written application for an absentee ballot delivered to the commissioner and received by the commissioner more than one hundred twenty days prior to the date of the election shall be returned to the voter with a notification of the date when the applications will be accepted.

2. a. The state commissioner shall prescribe a form for absentee ballot applications. However, if a registered voter submits an application on a sheet of paper no smaller than three by five inches in size that includes all of the information required in this section, the prescribed form is not required.

b. Absentee ballot applications may include instructions to send the application directly to the county commissioner of elections. However, no absentee ballot application shall be preaddressed or printed with instructions to send the applications to anyone other than the appropriate commissioner.

c. No absentee ballot application shall be preaddressed or printed with instructions to send the ballot to anyone other than the voter.

3. This section does not require that a written communication mailed to the commissioner’s office to request an absentee ballot, or any other document be notarized as a prerequisite to receiving or marking an absentee ballot or returning to the commissioner an absentee ballot which has been voted.

4. a. To request an absentee ballot, a registered voter shall provide:

(1) The name and signature of the registered voter.

(2) The registered voter’s date of birth.

(3) The address at which the voter is registered to vote.

(4) The registered voter’s voter verification number.

(5) The name or date of the election for which the absentee ballot is requested.

(6) Such other information as may be necessary to determine the correct absentee ballot for the registered voter.

b. If insufficient information has been provided, including the absence of a voter verification number, either on the prescribed form or on an application created by the applicant, the commissioner shall, within twenty-four hours after the receipt of the absentee ballot request, contact the applicant by telephone and electronic mail, if such information has been provided by the applicant. If the commissioner is unable to contact the applicant by telephone or electronic mail, the commissioner shall send a notice to the applicant at the address where the applicant is registered to vote, or to the applicant’s mailing address if it is different from the residential address. If the applicant has requested the ballot to be sent to an address that is not the applicant’s residential or mailing address, the commissioner shall send an additional notice to the address where the applicant requested the ballot to be sent. A commissioner shall not use the voter registration system to obtain additional necessary information. A voter requesting or casting a ballot pursuant to section 53.22 shall not be required to provide a voter verification number.

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 identification number assigned to the voter by the state commissioner pursuant to section 47.7, subsection 2.

d. If an applicant does not have current access to the applicant’s voter verification number, the commissioner shall verify the applicant’s identity prior to supplying the voter verification number by asking the applicant to provide at least two of the following facts about the applicant:

(1) Date of birth.

(2) The last four digits of the applicant’s social security number, if applicable.

(3) Residential address.

(4) Mailing address.

(5) Middle name.

(6) Voter verification number as defined in paragraph “c”.

5. The commissioner may dispute an application if it appears to the commissioner that the signature on the application has been signed by someone other than the registered voter, in comparing the signature on the application to the signature on record of the registered voter named on the application. If the commissioner disputes a registered voter’s application under this subsection, the commissioner shall notify the registered voter and the registered voter may submit a new application and signature or update the registered voter’s signature on record, as provided by rule adopted by the state commissioner.

6. An application for a primary election ballot which specifies a party different from that recorded on the registered voter’s voter registration record, or if the voter’s voter registration record does not indicate a party affiliation, shall be accepted as a change or declaration of party affiliation. The commissioner shall approve the change or declaration and enter a notation of the change on the registration records at the time the absentee ballot request is noted on the voter’s registration record. A notice shall be sent with the ballot requested informing the voter that the voter’s registration record will be changed to show that the voter is now affiliated with the party whose ballot the voter requested. If an application for a primary election ballot does not specify a party and the voter registration record of the voter from whom the application is received shows that the voter is affiliated with a party, the voter shall be mailed the ballot of the party indicated on the voter’s registration record.

7. If an application for an absentee ballot is received from an eligible elector who is not a registered voter the commissioner shall send the eligible elector a voter registration form and another absentee ballot application form. If the application is received after the time registration closes pursuant to section 48A.9 but by 5:00 p.m. on the Saturday before the election for general elections or by 5:00 p.m. on the Friday before the election for all other elections, the commissioner shall notify the applicant by mail of the election day and in-person absentee registration provisions of section 48A.7A. In addition to notification by mail, the commissioner shall also attempt to contact the applicant by any other method available to the commissioner.

8. A registered voter who has not moved from the county in which the elector is registered to vote may submit a change of name, telephone number, or address on the absentee ballot application form when requesting an absentee ballot. The commissioner may also update a voter’s identification number, as described in section 48A.11, subsection 1, paragraph “e”, if an identification number is provided on an absentee ballot application. Upon receipt of a properly completed form, the commissioner shall enter a notation of the change on the registration records.

9. An application for an absentee ballot that is returned to the commissioner by a person acting as an actual or implied agent for a political party, as defined in section 43.2, or by a candidate or committee, both as defined by chapter 68A, shall be returned to the commissioner within seventy-two hours of the time the completed application was received from the applicant or no later than 5:00 p.m. on the same day as the deadline under subsection 1, paragraph “b”, whichever is earlier. An application received by a person acting as an actual or implied agent of a political party after the deadline but before the date of the election shall be returned to the commissioner within twenty-four hours.

10. A registered voter who is a program participant under section 9E.6 may register to vote as an absentee voter with the state commissioner of elections pursuant to section 9E.6, subsection 2.

53.3 Requirements for certain absentee ballot applications — prescribed form — receipt.

When an application for an absentee ballot is solicited by, or collected for return to the commissioner by, a person acting as an actual or implied agent for a political party, candidate, or committee, as defined by chapter 68A, the person shall provide the applicant with the form prescribed by the state commissioner.
a. When an application for an absentee ballot is solicited by, and returned to the commissioner by, a person acting as an actual or implied agent for a political party, candidate, or committee, as defined by chapter 68A, the person shall issue to the applicant a receipt for the completed application.
The receipt shall contain the following information:

(1) The name of the applicant.

(2) The date and time the completed application was received from the applicant.

(3) The name and date of the election for which the application is being completed.

(4) The name of the political party, candidate, or committee for whom the person is soliciting and returning the application for the absentee ballot.

(5) The name of the person acting as an actual or implied agent for the political party, candidate, or committee.

(6) A statement that the application will be delivered to the appropriate commissioner within seventy-two hours of the date and time the completed application was received from the applicant or no later than 5:00 p.m. on the Friday before the election, whichever is earlier.

(7) A statement that an absentee ballot will be mailed to the applicant within twenty-four hours after the ballot for the election is available.

The commissioner shall make receipt forms required by this section available for photocopying at the expense of the political party, candidate, or committee.

53.7 Solicitation by public employees.

It shall be unlawful for any employee of the state or any employee of a political subdivision to solicit any application or request for application for an absentee ballot, or to take an affidavit in connection with any absentee ballot while the employee is on the employer’s premises or otherwise in the course of employment. However, any such employee may take such affidavit in connection with an absentee ballot which is cast by the registered voter in person in the office where such employee is employed in accordance with section 53.10 or 53.11. This subsection shall not apply to any elected official.
It is unlawful for any public officer or employee, or any person acting under color of a public officer or employee, to knowingly require a public employee to solicit an application or request an application for an absentee ballot, or to knowingly require an employee to take an affidavit or request for an affidavit in connection with an absentee ballot application.

53.8 Ballot mailed.

1. a. Upon receipt of an application for an absentee ballot and immediately after the absentee ballots are printed, but not more than twenty-nine days before the election, the commissioner shall mail an absentee ballot to the applicant within twenty-four hours, except as otherwise provided in subsection 3. When the United States post office is closed in observance of a federal holiday and is not delivering mail on the twenty-ninth day before the election, the first day to mail absentee ballots is the next business day on which mail delivery is available. The absentee ballot shall be sent to the registered voter by one of the following methods:

(1) The absentee ballot shall be enclosed in an unsealed envelope marked with a serial number and affidavit. The absentee ballot and affidavit envelope shall be enclosed in or with an unsealed return envelope marked postage paid which bears the same serial number as the affidavit envelope. The absentee ballot, affidavit envelope, and return envelope shall be enclosed in a third envelope to be sent to the registered voter. If the ballot cannot be folded so that all of the votes cast on the ballot will be hidden, the commissioner shall also enclose a secrecy envelope with the absentee ballot.

(2) The absentee ballot shall be enclosed in an unsealed return envelope marked with a serial number and affidavit and marked postage paid. The absentee ballot and return envelope shall be enclosed in a second envelope to be sent to the registered voter. If the ballot cannot be folded so that all of the votes cast on the ballot will be hidden, the commissioner shall also enclose a secrecy envelope with the absentee ballot.

b. The affidavit shall be marked on the appropriate envelope in a form prescribed by the state commissioner of elections.

c. For envelopes mailed at any election other than the primary election, the commissioner shall not mark any envelope with any information related to the party affiliation of the applicant.

2. a. The commissioner shall enclose with the absentee ballot a statement informing the applicant that the sealed return envelope may be mailed to the commissioner by the registered voter or the voter’s designee or may be personally delivered to the commissioner’s office by the registered voter or the voter’s designee. The statement shall also inform the voter that the voter may request that the voter’s designee complete a receipt when retrieving the ballot from the voter. A blank receipt shall be enclosed with the absentee ballot.

b. If an application is received so late that it is unlikely that the absentee ballot can be returned in time to be counted on election day, the commissioner shall enclose with the absentee ballot a statement to that effect.

3. a. When an application for an absentee ballot is received by the commissioner of any county from a registered voter who is a patient in a hospital in that county, a tenant of an assisted living program in that county as shown by the list of certifications provided the commissioner under section 231C.21, or a resident of any facility in that county shown to be a health care facility by the list of licenses provided the commissioner under section 135C.29, the absentee ballot shall be delivered to the voter and returned to the commissioner in the manner prescribed by section 53.22. For purposes of this paragraph, “assisted living program” means a program certified pursuant to section 231C.3 that meets the standards for a dementia-specific assisted living program, as established by rule by the department of inspections and appeals.

b. (1) If the application is received more than five days before the ballots are printed and the commissioner has elected to have the ballots personally delivered during the ten-day period after the ballots are printed, the commissioner shall mail to the applicant within twenty-four hours a letter in substantially the following form:

Your application for an absentee ballot for the election to be held on ……………….. has been received. This ballot will be personally delivered to you by a bipartisan team sometime during the ten days after the ballots are printed. If you will not be at the address from which your application was sent during any or all of the ten-day period immediately following the printing of the ballots, the ballot will be personally delivered to you sometime during the fourteen days preceding the election. If you will not be at the address from which your application was sent during either of these time periods, contact this office and arrangements will be made to have your absentee ballot delivered at a time when you will be present at that address.

(2) If the application is received more than fourteen calendar days before the election and the commissioner has not elected to mail absentee ballots to applicants as provided under section 53.22, subsection 4, and has not elected to have the absentee ballots personally delivered during the ten-day period after the ballots are printed, the commissioner shall mail to the applicant within twenty-four hours a letter in substantially the following form:

Your application for an absentee ballot for the election to be held on ……………….. has been received. This ballot will be personally delivered to you by a bipartisan team sometime during the fourteen days preceding the election. If you will not be at the address from which your application was sent during any or all of the fourteen-day period immediately preceding the election, contact this office and arrangements will be made to have your absentee ballot delivered at a time when you will be present at that address.

c. Nothing in this subsection nor in section 53.22 shall be construed to prohibit a registered voter who is a hospital patient or resident of a health care facility, or who anticipates entering a hospital or health care facility before the date of a forthcoming election, from casting an absentee ballot in the manner prescribed by section 53.10 or 53.11.

53.9 Prohibited persons.

No person required to file reports under chapter 68A, and no person acting as an actual or implied agent for a person required to file reports under chapter 68A, shall receive absentee ballots on behalf of voters. This prohibition does not apply to section 53.17.

53.10 Absentee voting at the commissioner’s office.

1. Not more than twenty-nine days before the date of the primary election or the general election, the commissioner shall provide facilities for absentee voting in person at the commissioner’s office. This service shall also be provided for other elections as soon as the ballots are ready, but in no case shall absentee ballots be available under this section more than twenty-nine days before an election.

2. a. Each person who wishes to vote by absentee ballot at the commissioner’s office shall first sign an application for a ballot including the following information: name, current address, voter verification number, and the election for which the ballot is requested. The person may report a change of address or other information on the person’s voter registration record at that time. Prior to furnishing a ballot, the commissioner shall verify the person’s identity as provided in section 49.78. The registered voter shall immediately mark the ballot; enclose the ballot in a secrecy envelope, if necessary, and seal it in the envelope marked with the affidavit; subscribe to the affidavit on the reverse side of the envelope; and return the absentee ballot to the commissioner. The commissioner shall record the numbers appearing on the application and affidavit envelope along with the name of the registered voter.

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 identification number assigned to the voter by the state commissioner pursuant to section 47.7, subsection 2.

3. A voter shall not vote or offer to vote any ballot except such as the voter has received from the commissioner. A voter voting an absentee ballot at the commissioner’s office shall not take or remove any ballot from the commissioner’s office.

4. During the hours when absentee ballots are available in the office of the commissioner, the absentee voting site is a polling place for purposes of section 39A.4, subsection 1, paragraph “a”.

53.11 Satellite absentee voting stations.

1. a. Not more than twenty-nine days before the date of an election, satellite absentee voting stations may be established throughout the cities and county at the direction of the commissioner and shall be established upon receipt of a petition signed by not less than one hundred eligible electors requesting that a satellite absentee voting station be established at a location to be described on the petition. However, if a special election is scheduled in the county on a date that falls between the date of the regular city election and the date of the city runoff election, the commissioner is not required to establish a satellite absentee voting station for the city runoff election.

b. A satellite absentee voting station established by petition must be open at least one day for a minimum of six hours. A satellite absentee voting station established at the direction of the commissioner or by petition may remain open until 5:00 p.m. on the day before the election.

2. A petition requesting a satellite absentee voting station must be filed by the following deadlines:

a. For a primary or general election, no later than 5:00 p.m. on the forty-seventh day before the election.

b. For the regular city election or a city primary election, no later than 5:00 p.m. on the thirtieth day before the election.

c. For a city runoff election, no later than 5:00 p.m. on the twenty-first day before the election.

d. For the regular school election, no later than 5:00 p.m. on the thirtieth day before the election.

e. For a special election, no later than thirty-two days before the special election.

3. Procedures for absentee voting at satellite absentee voting stations shall be the same as specified in section 53.10 for voting at the commissioner’s office. Additional procedures shall be prescribed by rule by the state commissioner.

4. During the hours when absentee ballots are available at a satellite absentee voting station, the satellite absentee voting station is a polling place for purposes of section 39A.4, subsection 1, paragraph “a”.

5. At least seven days before the date that absentee ballots will be available at a satellite absentee voting station, the commissioner shall notify the county chairperson of each political party of the date, time, and place that the satellite absentee voting station will be in operation in the county, so that the chairpersons may appoint observers to be present at the station during the hours absentee ballots are available. No more than two observers from each political party shall be present at any one satellite absentee voting station.

6. The commissioner shall remove or obscure from the view of voters any published material displaying the name of a candidate or elected official other than a ballot or sample ballot or envelope.

53.12 Duty of commissioner.

The commissioner shall enclose the absentee ballot in an unsealed envelope, to be furnished by the commissioner, which envelope shall bear upon its face the words “county commissioner of elections”, the address of the commissioner’s office, and the same serial number appearing on the unsealed envelope shall be affixed to the application.

53.13 Voter’s affidavit on envelope. Repealed by 2014 Acts, ch 1101, §31, 32. See §53.8.

53.14 Party affiliation. Repealed by 2014 Acts, ch 1101, §31, 32.

53.15 Marking ballot.

The registered voter, on receipt of an absentee ballot, shall mark the ballot in such a manner that no other person will know how the ballot is marked.
Registered voters who are blind, cannot read, or because of any other physical disability, are unable to mark their own absentee ballot, may have the assistance of any person the registered voter may select.

53.16 Subscribing to affidavit.

After marking the ballot, the voter shall make and subscribe to the affidavit on the affidavit envelope or on the return envelope marked with the affidavit, and fold the ballot or ballots, separately, so as to conceal the markings on them, and deposit them in the envelope, and securely seal the envelope.

53.17 Mailing or delivering ballot.

1. If the commissioner mailed the ballot pursuant to section 53.8, subsection 1, paragraph “a”, subparagraph (1), the sealed envelope bearing the voter’s affidavit and containing the absentee ballot shall be enclosed in a return envelope which shall be securely sealed. If the commissioner mailed the ballot pursuant to section 53.8, subsection 1, paragraph “a”, subparagraph (2), the absentee ballot shall be enclosed in the return envelope which shall be securely sealed. The sealed return envelope shall be returned to the commissioner by one of the following methods:

a. The sealed return envelope may be delivered by the registered voter, by the voter’s designee, or by the special precinct election officials designated pursuant to section 53.22, subsection 2, to the commissioner’s office no later than the time the polls are closed on election day. However, if delivered by the voter’s designee, the envelope shall be delivered within seventy-two hours of retrieving it from the voter or before the closing of the polls on election day, whichever is earlier.

b. The sealed return envelope may be mailed to the commissioner by the registered voter or by the voter’s designee. If mailed by the voter’s designee, the envelope must be mailed within seventy-two hours of retrieving it from the voter or within time to be postmarked or, if applicable, to have the postal service barcode traced to a date of entry into the federal mail system not later than the day before the election, as provided in section 53.17A, whichever is earlier.

2. In order for the ballot to be counted, the return envelope must be received in the commissioner’s office before the polls close on election day or be clearly postmarked by an officially authorized postal service or bear a postal service barcode traceable to a date of entry into the federal mail system not later than the day before the election, as provided in section 53.17A, and received by the commissioner not later than noon on the Monday following the election.

3. If the law authorizing the election specifies that the supervisors canvass the votes earlier than the Monday following the election, absentee ballots returned through the mail must be received not later than the time established for the canvass by the board of supervisors for that election. The commissioner shall contact the post office serving the commissioner’s office at the latest practicable hour before the canvass by the board of supervisors for that election, and shall arrange for absentee ballots received in that post office but not yet delivered to the commissioner’s office to be brought to the commissioner’s office before the canvass for that election by the board of supervisors.

4. When a person designated by the voter retrieves a completed absentee ballot from the voter, the designee shall, upon request of the voter, fill out a receipt to be retained by the voter. The state commissioner shall prescribe a form for receipts required by this subsection. The receipt shall include all of the following:

a. The name of the voter’s designee.

b. The date and time the completed absentee ballot was received from the voter.

c. The name and date of the election for which the absentee ballot is being voted.

d. The name of the political party, candidate, or committee for which the designee is acting as an actual or implied agent, if applicable.

e. A telephone number at which the voter’s designee may be contacted.

f. A statement that the completed absentee ballot will be delivered to the commissioner’s office within seventy-two hours of retrieving it from the voter or before the closing of the polls on election day, whichever is earlier, or that the completed absentee ballot will be mailed to the commissioner within seventy-two hours of retrieving it from the voter or within time to be postmarked or, if applicable, to have the postal service barcode traced to a date of entry into the federal mail system not later than the day before the election, as provided in section 53.17A, whichever is earlier.

53.17A Absentee ballot tracking

1. For the purposes of this chapter:

a. “Postal service barcode” means a barcode purchased by the sender and supplied by the United States postal service that is used to sort and track letters and flat packages and is printed on an absentee ballot return envelope at the direction of the commissioner before the envelope is sent to the voter.

b. “Tracking information database” means a database administered by the United States postal service that is accessible to the commissioner and contains information regarding letters or flat packages.

2. a. Prior to implementing for the first time, discontinuing the usage of, or reimplementing the usage of a postal service barcode and tracking information, the commissioner shall send notice to the state commissioner prior to October 1, 2020, for an election taking place in 2020 after that date, and by October 1 of each year thereafter.

b. The commissioner shall not implement or discontinue the use of a postal service barcode or tracking information database during an election after an absentee ballot has been mailed for that election pursuant to section 53.8.

c. The state commissioner shall adopt rules regarding the statewide implementation of a postal service barcode and tracking information database, including procedures to be followed when usage of a postal service barcode or the tracking information database is negatively impacted. Each commissioner shall use a postal service barcode and tracking information database consistent with rules of the state commissioner. Every commissioner shall send notice to the state commissioner and implement the use of a postal service barcode and tracking information database prior to October 1, 2020.

3. a. An absentee ballot received after the polls close on election day but prior to the official canvass shall be counted if the commissioner determines that the ballot entered the federal mail system by the deadline specified in section 53.17 or 53.22. The date of entry of such an absentee ballot into the federal mail system shall only be verified as provided in paragraph “b”.

b. (1) If the postmark indicates that the absentee ballot entered the federal mail system by the deadline specified in section 53.17 or 53.22, the ballot shall be included for canvass by the absentee and special voters precinct board.

(2) If the postmark is illegible, missing, or dated on or after election day, the commissioner shall attempt to verify the ballot’s date of entry into the federal mail system by querying the postal service barcode in the tracking information database. If the tracking information database indicates that the absentee ballot entered the federal mail system by the deadline specified in section 53.17 or 53.22, the ballot shall be included for canvass by the absentee and special voters precinct board. The commissioner shall provide a report to the absentee and special voters precinct board regarding the information available in the tracking information database.

(3) If there is a discrepancy between the date indicated by the postmark and the postal service barcode, the earlier of the two shall determine the date of entry of the absentee ballot into the federal mail system.

(4)(a) If neither the postmark nor the postal service barcode indicates that the absentee ballot entered the federal mail system by the deadline specified in section 53.17 or 53.22, the absentee ballot shall be sent to the absentee and special voters precinct board pursuant to subparagraph division (b) with the numeric value assigned to the postal service barcode and a full report from the tracking information database.

(b) Up to five absentee and special voters precinct board members from each political party for partisan elections, or any two members of the board for nonpartisan elections, shall review the postal service barcode and tracking database information report of each absentee ballot submitted pursuant to subparagraph division (a) and certify that the tracking information database report corresponds to the absentee ballot by initialing the report and the absentee ballot envelope. If the board concludes that the postal service barcode and tracking information database report verify that the absentee ballot entered the federal mail system by the deadline specified in section 53.17 or 53.22, the ballot shall be counted. Otherwise, the ballot shall not be counted.

53.18 Manner of preserving ballot and application — review of affidavit — replacement ballots.

When the return envelope containing the completed absentee ballot is received by the commissioner, the commissioner shall at once record receipt of such ballot. Absentee ballots shall be stored in a secure place until they are delivered to the absentee and special voters precinct board.
If the commissioner receives the return envelope containing the completed absentee ballot by 5:00 p.m. on the Saturday before the election for general elections and by 5:00 p.m. on the Friday before the election for all other elections, the commissioner shall review the affidavit marked on the return envelope, if applicable, for completeness or shall open the return envelope to review the affidavit for completeness. If the affidavit is incomplete, the commissioner shall, within twenty-four hours of the time the envelope was received, notify the voter of that fact and that the voter may complete the affidavit in person at the office of the commissioner by 5:00 p.m. on the day before the election, vote a replacement ballot in the manner and within the time period provided in subsection 3, or appear at the voter’s precinct polling place on election day and cast a ballot in accordance with section 53.19, subsection 3.
If the affidavit envelope or the return envelope marked with the affidavit contains a defect that would cause the absentee ballot to be rejected by the absentee and special voters precinct board, the commissioner shall immediately notify the voter of that fact and that the voter’s absentee ballot shall not be counted unless the voter requests and returns a replacement ballot in the time permitted under section 53.17, subsection 2. For the purposes of this section, a return envelope marked with the affidavit shall be considered to contain a defect if it appears to the commissioner that the signature on the envelope has been signed by someone other than the registered voter, in comparing the signature on the envelope to the signature on record of the registered voter named on the envelope. A signature or marking made in accordance with section 39.3, subsection 17, shall not be considered a defect for purposes of this section. The voter may request a replacement ballot in person, in writing, or over the telephone. The same serial number that was assigned to the records of the original absentee ballot application shall be used on the envelope and records of the replacement ballot. The envelope marked with the affidavit and containing the completed replacement ballot shall be marked “Replacement ballot”. The envelope marked with the affidavit and containing the original ballot shall be marked “Defective” and the replacement ballot shall be attached to such envelope containing the original ballot and shall be stored in a secure place until they are delivered to the absentee and special voters precinct board, notwithstanding sections 53.26 and 53.27.
The state commissioner of elections shall adopt rules for implementation of this section.

53.19 Listing absentee ballots.

The commissioner shall maintain a list of the absentee ballots provided to registered voters, the serial number appearing on the unsealed envelope, the date the application for the absentee ballot was received, and the date the absentee ballot was sent to the registered voter requesting the absentee ballot.
The commissioner shall provide each precinct election board with a list of all registered voters from that precinct who have received an absentee ballot. The precinct officials shall immediately designate on the election register those registered voters who have received an absentee ballot and are not entitled to vote in person at the polls, except as provided in subsection 3.
a. A registered voter who has received an absentee ballot and not returned it may surrender the absentee ballot to the precinct officials and vote in person at the polls. The precinct officials shall mark the uncast absentee ballot “void” and return it to the commissioner.
A registered voter who has requested an absentee ballot by mail but for any reason has not received it or who has not brought the ballot to the polls may appear at the voter’s precinct polling place on election day and, after the precinct election officials confirm the commissioner has not received the voter’s absentee ballot, the voter shall be permitted to vote in person at the polls. If the precinct election officials are unable to confirm whether the commissioner has received the voter’s absentee ballot, the voter shall cast a ballot in accordance with section 49.81.
A registered voter who has been notified by the commissioner pursuant to section 53.18 of the need to complete the affidavit or vote a replacement absentee ballot and who has not completed the affidavit or voted a replacement absentee ballot may appear at the voter’s precinct polling place on election day and, after the precinct election officials confirm the voter has not completed the affidavit or voted a replacement ballot, the voter shall be permitted to vote in person at the polls. If the precinct election officials are unable to confirm whether the voter has completed the affidavit or voted a replacement ballot, the voter shall cast a ballot in accordance with section 49.81.

53.20 Special precinct established.

There is established in each county a special precinct to be known as the absentee ballot and special voters precinct. Its jurisdiction shall be conterminous with the borders of the county, for the purposes specified by sections 53.22 and 53.23, and the requirement that precincts not cross the boundaries of legislative districts shall not be applicable to it. The commissioner shall draw up an election board panel for the special precinct in the manner prescribed by section 49.15, having due regard for the nature and extent of the duties required of members of the election board and the election officers to be appointed from the panel, including, if directed by the commissioner, the tallying and recording of write-in votes.
a. Results from the special precinct shall be reported separately from the results of the ballots cast at the polls on election day. The commissioner shall for general elections also report the results of the special precinct by the resident precincts of the voters who cast absentee and provisional ballots. For all other elections, the commissioner may report the results of the special precinct by the resident precincts of the voters who cast absentee and provisional ballots, or may report the absentee results as a single precinct.
For the general election and for any election in which the commissioner determines in advance of the election to report the results of the special precinct by the resident precincts of the voters who cast absentee and provisional ballots, the commissioner shall prepare a separate absentee ballot style for each precinct in the county and shall program the voting system to produce reports by the resident precincts of the voters.

53.21 Replacement of lost or spoiled absentee ballots.

A voter who has requested an absentee ballot may obtain a replacement ballot if the voter declares that the original ballot was lost or did not arrive. The commissioner upon receipt of a written or oral request for a replacement ballot shall provide a duplicate ballot. The same serial number that was assigned to the records of the original absentee ballot request shall be used on the envelopes and records of the replacement ballot.
a. The commissioner shall include with the replacement ballot two copies of a statement in substantially the following form:

The absentee ballot which I requested on ………………………….. (date) has been lost or was never received. If I find this absentee ballot I will return it, unvoted, to the commissioner.

………………………………

(Signature of voter)

………………………………

(Date)

The voter shall enclose one copy of the above statement in the return envelope along with the affidavit envelope, if the voter was mailed a separate affidavit envelope, and shall retain a copy for the voter’s records.
a. A voter who spoils an absentee ballot may return it to the commissioner. The outside of the return envelope shall be marked “SPOILED BALLOT”. The commissioner shall replace the ballot in the manner provided in this section for lost ballots.
An absentee ballot returned to the commissioner without a designation that the ballot was spoiled shall not be replaced.

53.22 Balloting by confined persons.

1. For purposes of this section, “assisted living program” means a program certified pursuant to section 231C.3 that meets the standards for a dementia-specific assisted living program, as established by rule by the department of inspections and appeals.

2. a. (1) A registered voter who has applied for an absentee ballot, in a manner other than that prescribed by section 53.10 or 53.11, and who is a resident, tenant, or patient in a health care facility, assisted living program, or hospital located in the county to which the application has been submitted shall be delivered the appropriate absentee ballot by two special precinct election officers, one of whom shall be a member of each of the political parties referred to in section 49.13, who shall be appointed by the commissioner from the election board panel for the special precinct established by section 53.20. The special precinct election officers shall be sworn in the manner provided by section 49.75 for election board members, shall receive compensation as provided in section 49.20, and shall perform their duties during the ten calendar days after the ballots are printed if the commissioner so elects, during the fourteen calendar days preceding the election, and on election day if all ballots requested under section 53.8, subsection 3, have not previously been delivered and returned.

(2) If materials are prepared for the two special precinct election officials, a list shall be made of all voters to whom ballots are to be delivered. The list shall be sent with the officials who deliver the ballots and shall include spaces to indicate whether the person was present at the hospital, assisted living program, or health care facility when the officials arrived, whether the person requested assistance from the officials, whether the person was assisted by another person of the voter’s choice, the time that the ballot was returned to the officials, and any other notes the officials deem necessary.

(3) The officials shall also be issued a supply of extra ballots to replace spoiled ballots. Receipts shall be issued in substantially the same form as receipts issued to precinct election officials pursuant to section 49.65. All ballots shall be accounted for and shall be returned to the commissioner. Separate envelopes shall be provided for the return of spoiled ballots and unused ballots.

b. If an applicant under this subsection notifies the commissioner that the applicant will not be available at the health care facility, assisted living program, or hospital address at any time during the ten-day period after the ballots are printed, if applicable, or during the fourteen-day period immediately prior to the election, but will be available there at some other time prior to the election or on election day, the commissioner shall direct the two special precinct election officers to deliver the applicant’s ballot at an appropriate time preceding the election or on election day. If a person who so requested an absentee ballot has been dismissed from the health care facility or hospital, or is no longer a tenant of the assisted living program, the special precinct election officers may take the ballot to the voter if the voter is currently residing in the county.

c. The special precinct election officers shall travel together in the same vehicle and both shall be present when an applicant casts an absentee ballot. If either or both of the special precinct election officers fail to appear at the time the duties set forth in this section are to be performed, the commissioner shall at once appoint some other person, giving preference to persons designated by the respective county chairpersons of the political parties described in section 49.13, to carry out the requirements of this section. The persons authorized by this subsection to deliver an absentee ballot to an applicant, if requested, may assist the applicant in filling out the ballot as permitted by section 49.90. After the voter has securely sealed the marked ballot in the envelope provided and has subscribed to the oath, the voted absentee ballots shall be deposited in a sealed container which shall be returned to the commissioner on the same day the ballots are voted. On election day the officers shall return the sealed container by the time the polls are closed.

3. Any registered voter who becomes a patient, tenant, or resident of a hospital, assisted living program, or health care facility in the county where the voter is registered to vote within three days prior to the date of any election or on election day may request an absentee ballot during that period or on election day. As an alternative to the application procedure prescribed by section 53.2, the registered voter may make the request directly to the officers who are delivering and returning absentee ballots under this section. Alternatively, the request may be made by telephone to the office of the commissioner not later than four hours before the close of the polls. If the requester is found to be a registered voter of that county, these officers shall deliver the appropriate absentee ballot to the registered voter in the manner prescribed by this section.

4. For any election except a primary or general election or a special election to fill a vacancy under section 69.14, the commissioner may, as an alternative to subsection 2, mail an absentee ballot to an applicant under this section to be voted and returned to the commissioner in accordance with this chapter. This subsection only applies to applications for absentee ballots from a single health care facility, assisted living program, or hospital if there are no more than two applications from that facility, program, or hospital.

5. The commissioner shall mail an absentee ballot to a registered voter who has applied for an absentee ballot and who is a patient, tenant, or resident of a hospital, assisted living program, or health care facility outside the county in which the voter is registered to vote.

6. a. If the registered voter becomes a patient, tenant, or resident of a hospital, assisted living program, or health care facility outside the county where the voter is registered to vote within three days before the date of any election or on election day, the voter may designate a person to deliver and return the absentee ballot. The designee may be any person the voter chooses except that no candidate for any office to be voted upon for the election for which the ballot is requested may deliver a ballot under this subsection. The request for an absentee ballot may be made by telephone to the office of the commissioner not later than four hours before the close of the polls. If the requester is found to be a registered voter of that county, the ballot shall be delivered by mail or by the person designated by the voter. An application form shall be included with the absentee ballot and shall be signed by the voter and returned with the ballot.

b. Absentee ballots voted under this subsection shall be delivered to the commissioner no later than the time the polls are closed on election day. If the ballot is returned by mail the return envelope must be received by the time the polls close, or be clearly postmarked by an officially authorized postal service or bear a postal service barcode traceable to a date of entry into the federal mail system not later than the day before the election, as provided in section 53.17A, and received by the commissioner no later than the time established for the canvass by the board of supervisors for that election.

7. Observers representing candidates, political parties, or nonparty political organizations, or observers who are opponents or proponents of a ballot issue to be voted on at the election are prohibited from being present at a hospital, assisted living program, or health care facility during the time the special precinct election officers are delivering absentee ballots to the patients, tenants, or residents of such hospital, assisted living program, or health care facility.

8. The proof of identity requirements under section 49.78 shall not apply to a voter casting a ballot pursuant to this section.

53.23 Special precinct election board.

The election board of the absentee ballot and special voters precinct shall be appointed by the commissioner in the manner prescribed by sections 49.12 and 49.13, except that the number of precinct election officials appointed to the board shall be sufficient to complete the counting of absentee ballots by 10:00 p.m. on election day.
The board’s powers and duties shall be the same as those provided in chapter 50 for precinct election officials in regular precinct polling places. However, the election board of the special precinct shall receive from the commissioner and count all absentee ballots for all precincts in the county; when two or more political subdivisions in the county hold elections simultaneously the special precinct election board shall count absentee ballots cast in all of the elections so held. The tally list shall be recorded on forms prescribed by the state commissioner.
a. The commissioner shall set the convening time for the board, allowing a reasonable amount of time to complete counting all absentee ballots by 10:00 p.m. on election day.
(1) The commissioner may direct the board to meet on the day before the election for the purpose of reviewing the absentee voters’ affidavits appearing on the sealed envelopes. If in the commissioner’s judgment this procedure is necessary due to the number of absentee ballots received, the members of the board may open the sealed affidavit envelopes and remove the secrecy envelope containing the ballot, but under no circumstances shall a secrecy envelope or a return envelope marked with an affidavit be opened before the board convenes on election day, except as provided in paragraph “c”. If the affidavit envelopes are opened before election day pursuant to this paragraph “b”, the observers appointed by each political party, as defined in section 43.2, shall witness the proceedings. Each political party may appoint up to five observers under this paragraph “b”. The observers shall be appointed by the county chairperson or, if the county chairperson fails to make an appointment, by the state chairperson. However, if either or both political parties fail to appoint an observer, the commissioner may continue with the proceedings.

(2) If the board finds any ballot not enclosed in a secrecy envelope and the ballot is folded in such a way that any of the votes cast on the ballot are visible, the two special precinct election officials, one from each of the two political parties referred to in section 49.13, subsection 2, shall place the ballot in a secrecy envelope. No one shall examine the ballot, except as provided in paragraph “c”.

For the general election, the commissioner may convene the special precinct election board on the day before the election to begin counting absentee ballots. However, if in the preceding general election the counting of absentee ballots was not completed by 10:00 p.m. on election day, the commissioner shall convene the special precinct election board on the day before the next general election to begin counting absentee ballots. The board shall not release the results of its tabulation pursuant to this paragraph until the count is completed on election day.
The room where members of the special precinct election board are engaged in counting absentee ballots on the day before the election pursuant to subsection 3, paragraph “c”, or during the hours the polls are open shall be policed so as to prevent any person other than those whose presence is authorized by this subsection from obtaining information about the progress of the count. The only persons who may be admitted to that room are the members of the board, five challengers representing each political party, one observer representing any nonparty political organization or any candidate nominated by petition pursuant to chapter 45 or any other nonpartisan candidate in a city or school election appearing on the ballot of the election in progress, one observer representing persons supporting a public measure appearing on the ballot and one observer representing persons opposed to such measure, and the commissioner or the commissioner’s designee. It shall be unlawful for any of these persons to communicate or attempt to communicate, directly or indirectly, information regarding the progress of the count at any time while the board is convened pursuant to subsection 3, paragraph “c”, or at any time before the polls are closed.
The special precinct election board shall preserve the secrecy of all absentee and provisional ballots. After the affidavits on the envelopes have been reviewed and the qualifications of the persons casting the ballots have been determined, those that have been accepted for counting shall be opened. The ballots shall be removed from the affidavit envelopes or return envelopes marked with the affidavit, as applicable, without being unfolded or examined, and then shall be thoroughly intermingled, after which they shall be unfolded and tabulated. If secrecy folders or envelopes are used with provisional paper ballots, the ballots shall be removed from the secrecy folders after the ballots have been intermingled.
The special precinct election board shall not release the results of its tabulation on election day until all of the ballots it is required to count on that day have been counted, nor release the tabulation of provisional ballots accepted and counted under chapter 50 until that count has been completed.

53.24 Counties using voting machines. Repealed by 2009 Acts, ch 57, §96.

53.25 Rejecting ballot.

a. If the absentee voter’s affidavit lacks the voter’s signature, if the applicant is not a duly registered voter on election day in the precinct where the absentee ballot was cast, if the envelope marked with the affidavit contains more than one ballot of any one kind, or if the voter has voted in person, such vote shall be rejected by the absentee and special voters precinct board. If the affidavit envelope or return envelope marked with the affidavit is open, or has been opened and resealed, or if the ballot is not enclosed in such envelope, and an affidavit envelope or return envelope marked with the affidavit with the same serial number and marked “Replacement ballot” is not attached as provided in section 53.18, the ballot shall be rejected by the absentee and special voters precinct board.
If a voter casts a provisional ballot pursuant to section 49.78, subsection 7, and the voter has failed to establish the voter’s identity at the commissioner’s office, the provisional ballot shall be rejected by the absentee and special voters precinct board.
If the absentee or provisional ballot is rejected prior to the opening of the affidavit envelope or return envelope marked with the affidavit, the voter casting the ballot shall be notified by a precinct election official by the time the canvass is completed of the reason for the rejection on a form prescribed by the state commissioner of elections.

53.26 Rejected ballots — how handled.

1. Every ballot not counted shall be endorsed on the back with the following:

Rejected because (giving reason therefor).

2. All rejected ballots shall be enclosed and securely sealed in an envelope on which the precinct election officials shall endorse “Defective ballots”, with a statement signed by the precinct election officials regarding the precinct in which and the date of the election at which they were cast. The envelope shall be returned to the same officer and in the same manner as by law provided for the return and preservation of official ballots voted at such election.

53.27 Rejection of ballot — return of envelope.

If the ballot is rejected, the envelope marked with the affidavit, with the voter’s endorsement thereon, shall be returned with the rejected ballot in the envelope endorsed “Defective ballots”.

53.28 and 53.29Reserved.

53.30 Ballots, ballot envelopes, and other information preserved.

At the conclusion of each meeting of the absentee and special voters precinct board, the board shall securely seal all ballots counted by them in the manner prescribed in section 50.12. The ballot envelopes, including the affidavit envelope if an affidavit envelope was provided, the return envelope, and secrecy envelope bearing the signatures of precinct election officials, as required by section 53.23, shall be preserved. All applications for absentee ballots, ballots rejected without being opened, absentee ballot logs, and any other documents pertaining to the absentee ballot process shall be preserved until such time as the documents may be destroyed pursuant to section 50.19.

53.31 Challenges.

Any person qualified to vote at the election in progress may challenge the qualifications of a person casting an absentee ballot by submitting a written challenge to the commissioner no later than 5:00 p.m. on the Friday before the election. It is the duty of the special precinct officials to challenge the absentee ballot of any person whom the official knows or suspects is not duly qualified. Challenges by members of the special precinct election board or observers present pursuant to section 53.23 may be made at any time before the close of the polls on election day. The challenge shall state the reasons for which the challenge is being submitted and shall be signed by the challenger. When a challenge is received the absentee ballot shall be set aside for consideration by the special precinct election board when it meets as required by section 50.22.
The commissioner shall immediately send a written notice to the elector whose qualifications have been challenged. The notice shall be sent to the address at which the challenged elector is registered to vote. If the ballot was mailed to the challenged elector, the notice shall also be sent to the address to which the ballot was mailed if it is different from the elector’s registration address. The notice shall advise the elector of the reason for the challenge, the date and time that the special precinct election board will reconvene to determine challenges, and that the elector has the right to submit written evidence of the elector’s qualifications. The notice shall include the telephone number of the commissioner’s office. If the commissioner has access to a facsimile machine, the notice shall include the telephone number of the facsimile machine. As far as possible, other procedures for considering provisional ballots shall be followed.

53.32 Ballot of deceased voter.

When it shall be made to appear by due proof to the precinct election officials that any elector, who has so marked and forwarded a ballot, has died before the envelope marked with the affidavit is opened, then the ballot of such deceased voter shall be endorsed, “Rejected because voter is dead”, and be returned to the commissioner. The casting of the ballot of a deceased voter shall not invalidate the election.

53.33 Reserved.

53.34 False affidavit.

Any person who shall willfully swear falsely to any of such affidavits shall be guilty of a fraudulent practice.

53.35 Refusal to return ballot. Repealed by 2007 Acts, ch 59, §37, 38.

53.35A Failure to return ballot.

It is unlawful for any person designated by the commissioner, or by the elector casting the absentee ballot, to deliver the sealed envelope containing the absentee ballot, to willfully fail to return the ballot to the commissioner or the commissioner’s designee.

53.36 Offenses by officers. Repealed by 2002 Acts, ch 1071, §15. See §39A.2 – 39A.5.

SUBCHAPTER II – ABSENT VOTING BY UNIFORMED AND OVERSEAS CITIZENS

53.37 Definitions.

This subchapter is intended to implement the federal Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, 42 U.S.C. §1973ff et seq.
The term “armed forces of the United States”, as used in this subchapter, shall mean the army, navy, marine corps, coast guard, and air force of the United States.
For the purpose of absentee voting only, there shall be included in the term “armed forces of the United States” the following:
Spouses and dependents of members of the armed forces while in active service.
Members of the merchant marine of the United States and their spouses and dependents.
Civilian employees of the United States in all categories serving outside the territorial limits of the several states of the United States and the District of Columbia and their spouses and dependents when residing with or accompanying them, whether or not the employee is subject to the civil service laws and the Classification Act of 1949, and whether or not paid from funds appropriated by the Congress.
Members of religious groups or welfare agencies assisting members of the armed forces, who are officially attached to and serving with the armed forces, and their spouses and dependents.
Citizens of the United States who do not fall under any of the categories described in paragraphs “a” through “d”, but who are entitled to register and vote pursuant to section 48A.5, subsection 4 or 5.
For the purposes of this subchapter, “qualified voter” means a person who is included within the term “armed forces of the United States” as described in this section, who would be qualified to register to vote under section 48A.5, subsection 2, except for residency, and who is not disqualified from registering to vote and voting under section 48A.6.

53.37A State commissioner duties.

The state commissioner of elections shall provide information regarding voter registration procedures and absentee ballot procedures to be used by members of the armed forces of the United States. The state commissioner shall accept valid voter registration applications and absentee ballot applications and shall forward the applications to the appropriate county commissioner of elections in a timely manner.

53.38 What constitutes registration.

Whenever a ballot is requested pursuant to section 53.39 or 53.45 on behalf of a voter in the armed forces of the United States, the affidavit upon the envelope marked with the affidavit of such voter, if the voter is found to be an eligible elector of the county to which the ballot is submitted, shall constitute a sufficient registration under chapter 48A. A completed federal postcard registration and federal absentee ballot request form submitted by such eligible elector shall also constitute a sufficient registration under chapter 48A. The commissioner shall place the voter’s name on the registration record as a registered voter if it does not already appear there. The identification requirements of section 48A.8 and the verification requirements of section 48A.25A do not apply to persons who register to vote under this subchapter.

53.39 Request for ballot — when available.

Section 53.2 does not apply in the case of a qualified voter of the state of Iowa serving in the armed forces of the United States. In any such case an application for ballot as provided for in that section is not required and an absent voter’s ballot shall be sent or made available to any such qualified voter upon a request as provided in this subchapter.
All official ballots to be voted by qualified absent voters in the armed forces of the United States at the primary election and the general election shall be printed prior to forty-five days before the respective elections and shall be available for transmittal to such qualified voters in the armed forces of the United States at least forty-five days before the respective elections. The provisions of this chapter apply to absent voting by qualified voters in the armed forces of the United States except as modified by the provisions of this subchapter.

53.40 Request requirements — transmission of ballot.

1. a. A request in writing for a ballot may be made by any member of the armed forces of the United States who is or will be a qualified voter on the day of the election at which the ballot is to be cast, at any time before the election. Any member of the armed forces of the United States may request ballots for all elections to be held during a calendar year. The request may be made by using the federal postcard application form and indicating that the applicant wishes to receive ballots for all elections as permitted by state law. If the applicant does not specify which elections the request is for, the county commissioner shall send the applicant a ballot for each federal election held after the application is received until the end of the calendar year in which the request is received.

b. Unless the request specifies otherwise, a request for the primary election shall also be considered a request for the general election. In the case of the general election, request may be made not more than seventy days before the election, for and on behalf of a voter in the armed forces of the United States by a spouse, parent, parent-in-law, adult brother, adult sister, or adult child of the voter, residing in the county of the voter’s residence. However, a request made by other than the voter may be required to be made on forms prescribed by the state commissioner.

c. A request shall show the residence, including street address, if any, of the voter and the age of the voter and shall designate the address to which the ballot is to be sent. In the case of the primary election, the request shall also show the party affiliation of the voter. The request shall be made to the commissioner of the county of the voter’s residence. However, if the request is made by the voter to any elective state, city, or county official, the official shall forward it to the commissioner of the county of the voter’s residence, and such request so forwarded shall have the same force and effect as if made directly to the commissioner by the voter.

2. The commissioner shall immediately on the forty-fifth day prior to the particular election transmit ballots to the voter by mail or otherwise, postage prepaid, as directed by the state commissioner, requests for which are in the commissioner’s hands at that time, and thereafter so transmit ballots immediately upon receipt of requests. A request for ballot for the primary election which does not state the party affiliation of the voter making the request is void and of no effect. A request which does not show that the person for whom a ballot is requested will be a qualified voter in the precinct in which the ballot is to be cast on the day of the election for which the ballot is requested, shall not be honored. However, a request which states the age and the city, including street address, and county where the voter resides is sufficient to show that the person is a qualified voter. A request by the voter containing substantially the information required is sufficient.

3. If the affidavit on the envelope marked with the affidavit shows that the affiant is not a qualified voter on the day of the election at which the ballot is offered for voting, the envelope shall not be opened, but the envelope and ballot contained in the envelope shall be preserved and returned by the precinct election officials to the commissioner, who shall preserve them for the period of time and under the conditions provided for in sections 50.12, 50.13, 50.15, and 50.19.

53.41 Records by commissioner — excess requests or ballots.

The commissioner of each county shall establish and maintain a record of all requests for ballots which are made, and of all ballots transmitted, and the manner of transmittal, from and received in the commissioner’s office under the provisions of this subchapter.
If more than one request for absent voter’s ballot for a particular election is made to the commissioner before the ballots are ready to mail by or on behalf of a voter in the armed forces of the United States, the last request received shall be honored, except that if one of the requests is made by the voter, the request of the voter shall be honored in preference to a request made on the voter’s behalf by another.
Not more than one ballot shall be transmitted by the commissioner to any voter for a particular election unless after the ballot has been mailed the voter reports a change in the address to which the ballot should be sent. A ballot shall be mailed using a serial number that indicates that this is a replacement sent to an updated address. The original ballot shall be counted only if the replacement ballot does not arrive. If the commissioner receives more than one absent voter’s ballot, provided for by this subchapter, from or purporting to be from any one voter for a particular election, all of the ballots so received from or purporting to be from such voter are void, and the commissioner shall not deliver any of the ballots to the precinct election officials, but shall retain them in the commissioner’s office, and preserve them for the period and under the conditions provided for in sections 50.12, 50.13, 50.15, and 50.19.

53.42 Voting in person in commissioner’s office.

Notwithstanding the provision as to time found in section 53.10, any qualified voter in the armed forces of the United States may personally appear in the office of the commissioner of the county of the voter’s residence and there vote an absent voter’s ballot at any time not earlier than forty days before the primary or general election, as the case may be.

53.43 Identification on envelope.

The envelopes used in connection with voting by absent voter’s ballot by voters who are members of the armed forces of the United States, shall have stamped or printed on them the words “Armed Forces or Overseas Ballot” and a designation of the election at which the ballot is to be cast.

53.44 Affidavit to be signed and returned.

The affidavit on the envelope marked with the affidavit used in connection with voting by absentee ballot under this subchapter by members of the armed forces of the United States need not be notarized or witnessed, but the affidavit on such envelope shall be completed and signed by the voter.
Absentee ballots issued under this subchapter shall be returned in the same manner and within the same time limits specified in section 53.17.

53.45 Special absentee ballot.

a. As provided in this section, the commissioner shall provide special absentee ballots to be used for general elections. A special absentee ballot shall only be provided to an eligible elector who completes an application stating both of the following to the best of the eligible elector’s belief:

(1) The eligible elector will be residing or stationed or working outside the continental United States.

(2) The eligible elector will be unable to vote and return a regular absentee ballot by normal mail delivery within the period provided for regular absentee ballots.

The application for a special absentee ballot shall not be filed earlier than one hundred twenty days prior to the general election. The special absentee ballot shall list the offices and measures, if known, scheduled to appear on the general election ballot. The eligible elector may use the special absentee ballot to write in the name of any eligible candidate for each office and may vote on any measure.
With any special absentee ballot issued under this section, the commissioner shall include a listing of any candidates who have filed before the time of the application for offices that will appear on the ballot at that general election and a list of any measures that have been referred to the ballot before the time of the application.
Write-in votes on special absentee ballots shall be counted in the same manner provided by law for the counting of other write-in votes. The commissioner shall process and canvass the special absentee ballots provided under this section in the same manner as other absentee ballots.
Notwithstanding the provisions of section 53.49, an eligible elector who requests a special absentee ballot under this section may also make application for an absentee ballot under section 53.2 or an armed forces absentee ballot under section 53.40. If the regular absentee or armed forces absentee ballot is properly voted and returned, the special absentee ballot is void and the commissioner shall reject it in whole when special absentee ballots are canvassed.

53.46 Powers and duties of state commissioner.

The state commissioner is authorized and empowered:

To make rules for the purpose of carrying out the provisions and intent of this subchapter;
To prescribe and direct the preparation of specially printed ballots, envelopes and other papers of different size and weight to be used in connection with absent voting by voters in the armed forces of the United States, if, in the discretion of the state commissioner, the state commissioner shall determine that such a special ballot and other papers will facilitate voting by such voters; provided that the content of any such specially printed matter shall be the same as that used for absent voters generally in the particular precinct in which said armed forces ballot is to be cast, and provided further that such ballots, envelopes and other papers shall be substantially uniform in size and weight throughout the state; and provided further that the provisions of section 49.56, establishing the maximum cost of printing ballots, shall apply to the cost of printing any such specially printed ballots by the several counties;
To prescribe any forms that are not otherwise prescribed by law, and which in the judgment of the state commissioner are necessary to facilitate the carrying out of the purposes and intent of this subchapter;
To arrange for special transportation of ballots in cooperation with the government of the United States through any authorized instrumentality thereof and to that end the state commissioner is empowered to direct the commissioners of the several counties of the state to send ballots to voters in the armed forces of the United States other than in the usual course of mail;
To employ such clerical assistance as the state commissioner may require in carrying out the state commissioner’s functions, to purchase and requisition any office supplies the state commissioner may require, and certify for payment the expenses of carrying out the state commissioner’s functions under this subchapter;
To call upon any department or division of the state government for information and assistance in connection with carrying out the provisions of this subchapter;
To cooperate with any authorized departments, agencies and instrumentalities of the government of the United States in effecting the intent and purposes of this subchapter.

53.47 Materials furnished by department of administrative services.

In order to establish uniformity in size, weight and other characteristics of the ballot and facilitate its distribution and return, the department of administrative services shall upon direction of the state commissioner purchase any material needed for any special ballots, envelopes and other printed matter, and sell any such materials to the several counties of the state at cost plus handling and transportation costs.
There is hereby appropriated to the department of administrative services from the general fund of the state such sums as may be necessary to purchase any materials provided for herein. The proceeds from sale of such materials to counties shall be turned into the general fund of the state upon receipt of same by the department of administrative services.

53.48 Postage on ballots.

In the event the government of the United States or any branch, department, agency or other instrumentality thereof shall make provision for sending of any voting matter provided for in this subchapter through the mails postage free, or otherwise, the election officials of the state of Iowa and of the several counties of the state are authorized to make use thereof under the direction of the state commissioner.

53.49 Applicable to armed forces and other citizens.

The provisions of this subchapter as to absent voting shall apply only to absent voters in the armed forces of the United States as defined for the purpose of absentee voting in section 53.37. The provisions of sections 53.1 through 53.34 shall apply to all other voters not members of the armed forces of the United States.

53.50 Appropriation.

There is hereby appropriated to the state commissioner from the general fund of the state such sums as are necessary to pay the state commissioner’s expenses and perform the state commissioner’s functions under this subchapter. Warrants shall be drawn by the director of the department of administrative services upon certification by the state commissioner or the state commissioner’s deputy.

53.51 Rule of construction.

This subchapter shall be liberally construed in order to provide means and opportunity for qualified voters of the state of Iowa serving in the armed forces of the United States to vote.

53.52 Inconsistent provisions — rule.

The provision or provisions of this subchapter which are inconsistent with any provision or provisions of any other existing statute or any part of any such other existing statute, shall prevail. Likewise, the provision or provisions of any other existing statute or any part of any other existing statute which is not inconsistent with this subchapter, shall prevail.

53.53 Federal write-in ballots.

Upon receipt of an official federal write-in ballot, the commissioner shall examine the voter’s written declarations on the envelope. If the voter is eligible to vote under the provisions of this subchapter and has complied with all requirements for the federal write-in ballot, then the federal write-in ballot is valid unless an Iowa absentee ballot is received from the voter in time to be counted.
The voter’s declaration or affirmation on the federal write-in ballot constitutes a sufficient registration under the provisions of chapter 48A and the commissioner shall place the voter’s name on the registration record as a registered voter, if the voter’s name does not already appear on the registration record. No witness to the oath is necessary.
Federal write-in absentee ballots may be used in primary and general elections, and in special elections held pursuant to section 69.14. The federal write-in absentee ballot transmission envelope may also serve as an application for voter registration if the information submitted is sufficient to register the person to vote and the applicant is otherwise eligible to vote under the provisions of this subchapter.
The federal write-in ballot shall not be counted if any of the following apply:
The ballot was submitted from within the United States, unless the voter is a member of the armed forces of the United States as described in section 53.37, subsection 2, on active duty, and away from the voter’s county of residence for purposes of serving on active duty.
The voter’s completed regular or special Iowa absentee ballot was received by the deadline for return of absentee ballots established in section 53.17.
The voter’s federal write-in ballot was received after the deadline for return of absentee ballots established in section 53.17.
A federal write-in ballot received by the state commissioner of elections shall be forwarded immediately to the appropriate county commissioner. However, if the state commissioner receives a federal write-in ballot after election day and before noon on the Monday following an election, the state commissioner shall at once verify that the voter has complied with the requirements of this section and that the voter’s federal write-in ballot is eligible to be counted. If the ballot is eligible to be counted, the state commissioner shall notify the appropriate county commissioner and make arrangements for the ballot to be transmitted to the county for counting. If the ballot is not eligible to be counted, the state commissioner shall mail the ballot to the appropriate commissioner along with notification that the ballot is ineligible to be counted. The county commissioner shall keep the ballot with the other records of the election.
The county commissioner shall notify a voter when the voter’s federal write-in ballot was not counted and shall give the voter the reason the ballot was not counted.

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Title II – Chapter 54

CHAPTER 54 – PRESIDENTIAL ELECTORS

54.1 Time of election — qualifications.

At the general election in the years of the presidential election, or at such other times as the Congress of the United States may direct, there shall be elected by the voters of the state one person from each congressional district into which the state is divided, and two from the state at large, as electors of president and vice president, no one of whom shall be a person holding the office of senator or representative in Congress, or any office of trust or profit under the United States.

54.2 How elected.

A vote for the candidates of any political party, or group of petitioners, for president and vice president of the United States, shall be conclusively deemed to be a vote for each candidate nominated in each district and in the state at large by said party, or group of petitioners, for presidential electors and shall be so counted and recorded for such electors.

54.3 Canvass.

The canvass of the votes for candidates for president and vice president of the United States and the returns thereof shall be a canvass and return of the votes cast for the electors of the same party or group of petitioners, respectively, and the certificate of such election made by the governor shall be in accord with such return.

54.4 Nonparty organizations.

The term “group of petitioners” as used in this chapter shall embrace an organization which is not a political party as defined by law.

54.5 Presidential nominees.

1. a. The names of the candidates for president and vice president of a political party as defined in the law relating to primary elections, shall, by 5:00 p.m. on the eighty-first day before the election, be certified to the state commissioner by the chairperson and secretary of the state central committee of the party.

b. However, if the national nominating convention of a political party adjourns later than eighty-nine days before the general election the certificate showing the names of that party’s candidates for president and vice president shall be filed within five days after adjournment.

c. As an alternative to the certificate by the state central committee, the certificate of nomination issued by the political party’s national nominating convention may be used to certify the names of the party’s candidates for president and vice president. If certificates of nomination are received from both the state central committee and the national nominating convention of a political party, and there are differences between the two certificates, the certificate filed by the state central committee shall prevail.

2. The state central committee shall also file a list of the names and addresses of the party’s presidential electors and alternate electors, one from each congressional district and two from the state at large, not later than 5:00 p.m. on the eighty-first day before the general election. A political party may elect up to two alternate electors at the party’s state convention. Additionally, the party’s state central committee may nominate one alternate elector for each congressional district.

2A. Each elector nominee and alternate elector nominee of a political party or group of petitioners shall execute the following pledge, 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.

3. If a candidate for the office of president or vice president of the United States withdraws, dies, or is otherwise removed from the ballot before the general election, another candidate may be substituted. The substitution shall be made by the state central committee of the political party or by the governing committee of the national party. If there are differences, the substitution made by the state central committee shall prevail. A nonparty political organization which has filed the names of party officers and central committee members with the secretary of state before the close of the filing period for the general election pursuant to section 44.17 may also make substitutions. A substitution must be filed no later than seventy-four days before the election.

54.6 Certificate.

At the expiration of ten days from the completed canvass, the governor, under the governor’s hand and the seal of state, shall issue to each presidential elector declared elected a certificate of election, the same in substance as required in other cases, and shall notify the elector to attend at the seat of government on the first Monday after the second Wednesday in December next following election, reporting the elector’s attendance to the governor. If there be a contest of the election, no certificate shall issue until it is determined.

54.7 Meeting — certificate.

1. The presidential electors and alternate electors shall meet in the capitol, at the seat of government, on the first Monday after the second Wednesday in December next following their election.

2. If, at the time of such meeting, any elector for any cause is absent, the state commissioner shall appoint an individual to substitute for the elector as follows:

a. If the alternate elector is present to vote, by appointing the alternate elector for the vacant position.

b. If the alternate elector is not present to vote, by appointing an elector chosen by lot from among the other alternate electors present to vote who were nominated by the same political party or group of petitioners.

c. If the number of alternate electors present to vote is insufficient to fill a vacant position pursuant to paragraphs “a” and “b”, by appointing any immediately available citizen of the state who is qualified to serve as an elector and chosen through nomination by a plurality vote of the remaining electors, including nomination and vote by a single elector if only one remains.

d. If there is a tie between at least two nominees to substitute as an elector in a vote conducted under paragraph “c”, by appointing an elector chosen by lot from among those nominees.

e. If all elector positions are vacant and cannot be filled through the processes set forth in paragraphs “a”, “b”, “c”, and “d”, by appointing a single presidential elector with remaining vacant positions filled pursuant to the method set forth in paragraph “c” and, if necessary, paragraph “d”.

3. To qualify to substitute for an elector under subsection 2, an individual who has not executed the pledge required for elector nominees and alternate elector nominees under section 54.5 shall execute the following pledge:

I agree to serve and to mark my ballots for president and vice president consistent with the pledge of the individual whose elector position I have succeeded.

54.8 Certificate of governor.

1. At the time designated for elector voting and after all vacant positions have been filled under section 54.7, the state commissioner shall provide each elector with a presidential and a vice presidential ballot. The elector shall mark the elector’s presidential and vice presidential ballots with the elector’s votes for the offices of president and vice president, respectively, along with the elector’s signature and the elector’s legibly printed name.

2. Except as otherwise provided by law of this state outside of this chapter, each elector shall present both completed ballots to the state commissioner who shall examine the ballots and accept and cast all ballots of electors whose votes are consistent with their pledges executed under section 54.5 or 54.7. Except as otherwise provided by law of this state outside of this chapter, the state commissioner shall not accept and shall not count an elector’s presidential and vice presidential ballots if the elector has not marked both ballots or has marked one ballot in violation of the elector’s pledge.

3. An elector who refuses to present a ballot, presents an unmarked ballot, or presents a ballot marked in violation of the elector’s pledge executed under section 54.5 or 54.7 vacates the office of elector. The state commissioner shall declare the creation of the vacancy and fill the vacancy pursuant to section 54.7.

4. The state commissioner shall distribute ballots to and collect ballots from a substitute elector and repeat the process set forth in this section for examining ballots, declaring and filling vacant positions as required, and recording appropriately completed ballots from the substituted electors until all of the state’s electoral votes have been cast and recorded.

5. The governor shall duly certify the results, under the seal of the state, to the United States secretary of state, and as required by Act of Congress related to such elections.

54.8A. Elector replacement–associated certificates

1. After the vote of this state’s electors is completed, if the final list of electors differs from any list that the governor previously included on a certificate of ascertainment prepared and transmitted under 3 U.S.C. § 6, the state commissioner shall immediately prepare an amended certificate of ascertainment and transmit the amended certificate to the governor for the governor’s signature.

2. The governor shall immediately deliver the signed amended certificate of ascertainment to the state commissioner and a signed duplicate original of the amended certificate of ascertainment to all individuals entitled to receive this state’s certificate of ascertainment, indicating that the amended certificate of ascertainment is to be substituted for the certificate of ascertainment previously submitted.

3. The state commissioner shall prepare a certificate of vote. The electors on the final list shall sign the certificate. The state commissioner shall process and transmit the signed certificate with the amended certificate of ascertainment under 3 U.S.C. §§ 9 through 11.

54.9 Compensation.

The electors shall each receive a compensation of five dollars for every day’s attendance, and the same mileage as members of the general assembly which shall be paid from funds not otherwise appropriated from the general fund of the state.

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Title II – Chapter 55

CHAPTER 55 – LEAVE OF ABSENCE FOR CANDIDACY AND PUBLIC SERVICE

55.1 Leave of absence for service in elective office.

A person who is elected to a municipal, county, state, or federal office shall, upon written application to the employer of that person, be granted a leave of absence from regular employment to serve in that office except where prohibited by the federal law. The leave of absence may be granted without pay, except that if a salaried employee takes leave without pay from regular employment for a portion of a pay period, the employee’s salaried compensation for that pay period shall be reduced by the ratio of the number of days of leave taken to the total number of days in the pay period. The leave of absence shall be granted without loss of net credited service and benefits earned. This section shall not be construed to require an employer to pay pension, health, or other benefits during the leave of absence to an employee taking a leave of absence under this section.
A leave of absence for a person regularly employed pursuant to chapter 8A, subchapter IV, is subject to section 8A.416.
An employee shall not be prohibited from returning to regular employment before the period expires for which the leave of absence was granted. This section applies only to employers which employ twenty or more full-time persons. The leave of absence granted by this section does not apply to an elective office held by the employee prior to the election.
Temporary substitute teachers and teachers hired on a temporary basis to replace teachers who have been granted leaves of absence pursuant to this section are not subject to the provisions of chapter 279 relating to the termination of continuing contracts.

55.2 Leave of absence for volunteer emergency service.

All officers and employees of the state, other than employees employed temporarily for six months or less or those employees considered essential personnel, who are volunteer fire fighters or emergency medical service personnel shall be entitled to a leave of absence from such civil employment for the period of an emergency response without loss of status or efficiency rating, and without loss of pay during such leave of absence. Such leave of absence shall in no way affect the employee’s rights to action, sick leave, bonus, or other employment benefits relating to the employee’s particular employment.

55.3 Service on boards, commissions, task forces, and committees.

For the purpose of this section, “state board” includes any board, commission, committee, council, or task force of the state government created by the Constitution of the State of Iowa, or by statute, resolution of the general assembly, motion of the legislative council, executive order of the governor, or supreme court order, but does not include any such state board, commission, committee, council, or task force for which an annual salary is provided for its members.

A person who is appointed to serve on a state board, upon written application to the person’s employer, shall be granted leaves of absence from regular employment to attend the meetings of the state board, except if leaves of absence are prohibited by federal law. The leaves of absence may be granted without pay and shall be granted without loss of net credited service and benefits earned. This section does not apply if the employer employs less than twenty full-time employees.

55.4 Leave of absence for public employee candidacy.

Any public employee who becomes a candidate for any elective public office shall, upon request of the employee and commencing any time within thirty days prior to a contested primary, special, or general election and continuing until after the day following that election, automatically be given a period of leave. If the employee is under chapter 8A, subchapter IV, the employee may choose to use accrued vacation leave, accrued compensatory leave or leave without pay to cover these periods. The appointing authority may authorize other employees to use accrued vacation leave or accrued compensatory leave instead of leave without pay to cover these periods. An employee who is a candidate for any elective public office shall not campaign while on duty as an employee.

This section does not apply to employees of the federal government or to a public employee whose position is financed by federal funds if the application of this section would be contrary to federal law or result in the loss of the federal funds.

55.5 Penalties.

A person violating this chapter is guilty of a simple misdemeanor. Each day in which the violation continues is a separate offense.

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Title II – Chapter 56

CHAPTER 56 – CAMPAIGN FINANCE [Transferred to chapter 68A; 2003 Acts, ch 40, §9]

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Title II – Chapter 57

CHAPTER 57 – CONTESTING ELECTIONS — GENERAL PROVISIONS

57.1 Standing to bring contest — grounds for contest.

Elections may be contested under this chapter as follows:
The election of any person to any county office, to a seat in either branch of the general assembly, to a state office, to the office of senator or representative in Congress, or to the office of presidential elector may be contested by any eligible person who received votes for the office in question.
The outcome of the election on a public measure may be contested by petition of the greater of ten eligible electors or a number of eligible electors equaling one percent of the total number of votes cast upon the public measure; each petitioner must be a person who was entitled to vote on the public measure in question or would have been so entitled if registered to vote.
Grounds for contesting an election under this chapter are:
Misconduct, fraud or corruption on the part of any election official or of any board of canvassers of sufficient magnitude to change the result of the election.
That the incumbent was not eligible to the office in question at the time of election.
That prior to the election the incumbent had been duly convicted of a felony, as defined in section 701.7, and that the judgment had not been reversed, annulled, or set aside, nor the incumbent pardoned or restored to the rights of citizenship by the governor under chapter 914, at the time of the election.
That the incumbent has given or offered to any elector, or any precinct election official or canvasser of the election, any bribe or reward in money, property, or thing of value, for the purpose of procuring the incumbent’s election.
That illegal votes have been received or legal votes rejected at the polls, sufficient to change the result of the election.
Any error in any board of canvassers in counting the votes, or in declaring the result of the election, if the error would affect the result.
That the public measure or office was not authorized or required by state law to appear on the ballot at the election being contested.
Any other cause or allegation which, if sustained, would show that a person other than the incumbent was the person duly elected to the office in question, or would show the outcome of the election on the public measure in question was contrary to the result declared by the board of canvassers.

57.2 Certificate withheld.

If notice of a contest of the election of an officer is filed before the certificate of election is delivered to the incumbent, or notice of a contest of the declared result of an election on a public measure is filed before a duplicate of the abstract of votes upon the measure and of the county board’s declaration is certified pursuant to section 50.27, the certificate or duplicate abstract and declaration shall be withheld until the determination of the contest. If the certificate of election or duplicate abstract and declaration have been issued, the commissioner shall send the persons or political subdivisions affected by the notice of contest a statement advising them that the election is being contested and that the certificate or duplicate abstract and declaration are not valid until the election contest is resolved.

57.3 Terms defined.

The term “incumbent” in this chapter means the person whom the canvassers declare elected. The term “election” in this chapter means the voting for a particular office, or the voting for or against a particular public measure, including the notice and other preparations for voting required by law and the tallying and canvass of the votes cast, section 39.2 notwithstanding.

57.4 Change of result.

When the misconduct, fraud, or corruption complained of is on the part of the precinct election officials in a precinct, it shall not be held sufficient to set aside the election, unless the rejection of the vote of that precinct would change the result as to that office.

57.5 Recanvass in case of contest.

The parties to any contested election shall have the right, in open session of the court or tribunal trying the contest, and in the presence of the officer having them in custody, to have the ballots opened, and all errors of the precinct election officials in counting or refusing to count ballots corrected by such court or tribunal.

57.6 Other contests.

All the provisions of chapter 62 relating to contested elections of county officers shall be applicable, as near as may be, to contested elections for other offices, and for public measures except as herein otherwise provided, and in all cases process and papers may be issued to and served in the manner provided by the rules of civil procedure for service of an original notice by the sheriff of any county.

57.7 Contest court for contest of public measure.

The court for the trial of a contested election on a public measure shall consist of one person designated by the petitioners who are contesting the election, who shall be designated in writing by the petitioners at the time the contest is filed, one person designated by the county commissioner of elections to represent the interests adverse to those of the petitioners, and a third person who shall be chosen jointly by the designees of the petitioners and of the commissioner. If the persons selected by the petitioners and the county commissioner of elections cannot agree on a third person, the chief judge of the judicial district in which the contest is filed shall appoint a third person to serve.

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Title II – Chapter 58

CHAPTER 58 – CONTESTING ELECTIONS OF GOVERNOR AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR

58.1 Notice — grounds.

The contestant for the office of governor shall, within thirty days after the proclamation of the result of the election, deliver to the presiding officer of each house of the general assembly a notice of intent to contest, and a specification of the grounds of such contest, as provided in chapter 62.

58.2 Notice to incumbent.

As soon as the presiding officers have received the notice and specifications, they shall make out a notice, directed to the incumbent, including a copy of the specifications, which shall be served in the manner provided by the rules of civil procedure for service of an original notice by the sergeant at arms.

58.3 Houses notified.

The presiding officers shall also immediately make known to their respective houses that such notice and specifications have been received.

58.4 Contest court.

Each house shall forthwith proceed, separately, to choose seven members of its own body in the following manner:

The names of members of each house, except the presiding officer, written on similar paper tickets, shall be placed in a box, the names of the senators in their presence by their secretary, and the names of the representatives in their presence by their clerk.
The secretary of the senate in the presence of the senate, and the clerk of the house of representatives in the presence of the house, shall draw from their respective boxes the names of seven members each.
As soon as the names are thus drawn, the names of the members drawn by each house shall be communicated to the other, and entered on the journal of each house.

58.5 Powers and proceedings.

The members thus drawn shall constitute a committee to try and determine the contested election, and for that purpose shall hold their meetings publicly at the place where the general assembly is sitting, at such times as they may designate; and may adjourn from day to day or to a day certain, not more than four days distant, until such trial is determined; shall have power to send for persons and papers, and to take all necessary means to procure testimony, extending like privileges to the contestant and the incumbent; and shall report their judgment to both branches of the general assembly, which report shall be entered on the journals of both houses.

58.6 Testimony.

The testimony shall be confined to the matters contained in the specifications.

58.7 Judgment.

The judgment of the committee pronounced in the final decision on the election shall be conclusive.

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Title II – Chapter 59

CHAPTER 59 – CONTESTING ELECTIONS FOR SEATS IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

59.1 Statement served.

The contestant for a seat in either branch of the general assembly shall, prior to twenty days before the first day of the next session, serve on the incumbent in the manner provided by the rules of civil procedure for service of an original notice a statement of notice of contest which shall allege a fact or facts, believed true by the contestant which, if true, would alter the outcome of the election.
A copy of the statement of notice of contest shall be filed with the secretary of state within five days of service of the notice upon the incumbent. The secretary of state shall notify the presiding officer of the house in which the contest will be tried.
A special election for a seat in either house of the general assembly may be contested. The contestant shall serve notice on the incumbent in the manner described in this section not later than twenty days after the state canvass of votes for the election. A copy of the notice shall also be filed with the presiding officer of the house in which the contest is to be tried, if the general assembly is in session. If the general assembly is not in session, a copy of the notice shall be filed with the secretary of state. The secretary of state shall notify the presiding officer of the house in which the contest will be tried.

59.2 Subpoenas.

Any judge or clerk of a court of record may issue subpoenas in the above cases, as in those provided in chapters 61 and 62, and compel the attendance of witnesses thereunder.

59.3 Depositions.

Depositions may be taken in such cases in the same manner and under the same rules as in an action at law in the district court, but no cause for taking the same need be shown.

59.4 Return of depositions.

A copy of the statement, and of the notice for taking depositions, with the service endorsed, and verified by affidavit if not served by an officer, shall be returned to the officer taking the depositions, and then, with the depositions, shall be sealed up and transmitted to the secretary of state, with an endorsement thereon showing the nature of the papers, the names of the contesting parties, and the branch of the general assembly before whom the contest is to be tried.

59.5 Statement and depositions — notice.

The secretary shall deliver the same unopened to the presiding officer of the house in which the contest is to be tried, on or before the second day of the session, regular or special, of the general assembly next after taking the depositions, and the presiding officer shall immediately give notice to that officer’s house that such papers are in the officer’s possession.

59.6 Power of general assembly.

Nothing herein contained shall be construed to abridge the right of either branch of the general assembly to grant commissions to take depositions, or to send for and examine any witness it may desire to hear on such trial.

59.7 Notice of result.

The presiding officer of the house in which the contest was tried shall certify to the secretary of state the results of the contest.

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Title II – Chapter 60

CHAPTER 60 – CONTESTING ELECTIONS OF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTORS AND CONGRESSPERSONS

60.1 Court of contest.

The court for the trial of contested elections for presidential electors or for the office of senator or representative in Congress shall consist of the chief justice of the supreme court, who shall be presiding judge of the court, and four judges of the district court to be selected by the supreme court, two of whom, with the chief justice, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of the business of the court. If the chief justice should for any cause be unable to attend at the trial, the judge longest on the supreme court bench shall preside in place of the chief justice; and any question arising as to the membership of the court shall be determined by the members of the court not interested in the question.

60.2 Clerk.

The secretary of state shall be the clerk of the court, or, in the secretary of state’s absence or inability to act, the clerk of the supreme court.

60.3 Oath.

Each member of the court, before entering upon the discharge of the member’s duties, shall take an oath before the secretary of state, or some officer qualified to administer oaths, that the member will support the Constitution of the United States and that of the state of Iowa, and that, without fear, favor, affection, or hope of reward, the member will, to the best of the member’s knowledge and ability, administer justice according to law and the facts in the case.

60.4 Statement.

The contestant shall file the statement provided for in chapter 62 in the office of the secretary of state within two days from the day on which the returns are canvassed by the state board of canvassers and, within the same time, serve a copy of the same, with a notice of the contest, on the incumbent in the manner provided by the rules of civil procedure for service of an original notice.

60.5 Organization and trial.

The clerk of the court shall, immediately after the filing of the statement, notify the judges herein named, and fix a day for the organization of the court within two days thereafter, and also notify the parties to the contest. The judges shall meet on the day fixed, and organize the court, and make and announce such rules for the trial of the case as they shall think necessary for the protection of the rights of each party and a just and speedy trial of the case, and commence the trial of the case as early as practicable thereafter, and so arrange for and conduct the trial that a final determination of the same and judgment shall be rendered at least six days before the first Monday after the second Wednesday in December next following.

60.6 Judgment.

The judgment of the court shall determine which of the parties to the action is entitled to hold the office and shall be authenticated by the presiding judge and clerk of the court and filed with the secretary of state; and the judgment so rendered shall constitute a final determination of the title to the office, and a certificate of appointment shall be issued to the successful party.

60.7 Contestant to file bond.

The contestant shall file in the office of the clerk of the supreme court a bond, with security to be approved by the clerk of the supreme court, in such amount as shall be set by the presiding judge of the court, conditional to pay all costs in case the election be confirmed or the contest dismissed. The presiding judge shall further set the date upon which the required bond shall be filed. If the required bond is not filed by the date set, the contest shall stand dismissed by operation of law.

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Title II – Chapter 61

CHAPTER 61 – CONTESTING ELECTIONS OF STATE OFFICERS

61.1 Contest court.

The court for the trial of contested state offices, except that of governor and lieutenant governor, shall consist of three district judges, not interested, who shall be selected by the chief justice of the supreme court.

61.2 Clerk.

The secretary of state shall be the clerk of this court; but if the person holding that office is a party to the contest, the clerk of the supreme court, or, in case of that person’s absence or inability, the auditor of state shall be clerk.

61.3 Statement filed.

The statement, as provided in chapter 62 must be filed with such clerk within thirty days from the day when incumbent was declared elected.

61.4 Selection of court.

Upon the filing of such statement, the chief justice of the supreme court shall select the membership of the court to try such contest, and immediately certify such selection to the clerk of the supreme court. Vacancies shall also be filled by the chief justice.

61.5 Notice of selection.

The clerk of the supreme court, on receipt of such certificate, shall forthwith in writing notify the members of such court of contest of their selection.

61.6 Organization.

The members so selected for said contest court shall meet at the seat of government within ten days after said notification and qualify by taking the oath required in case of contest over the office of presidential elector, and proceed, at said place, with the discharge of their duties.

61.7 Repealed by 65 Acts, ch 97, §3.

61.8 Delivery of papers.

Upon the organization of said court of contest, all papers in the possession of the clerk of the supreme court shall be forthwith delivered to said court of contest.

61.9 Time of trial.

The time for the trial of any contest relative to a state office shall not be set beyond the last Monday in January following the election.

61.10 Notice to incumbent — trial.

Upon the organization of said court of contest, the court shall cause a notice of said contest to be served on the incumbent, together with a copy of the statement of contest filed by the contestant in the manner provided by the rules of civil procedure for service of an original notice. No trial shall be held sooner than twenty days following said notice, except by consent of all parties.

61.11 Subpoenas — depositions.

The secretary of state, the several clerks of the supreme and district courts, under their respective seals of office, and either of the judges of the supreme or district courts, under their hands, may issue subpoenas for witnesses to attend this court; and disobedience to such process may be treated as a contempt. Depositions may also be taken as in the case of contested county elections.

61.12 Judgment filed — execution.

A transcript of the judgment rendered by such court, filed in the office of the clerk of the supreme court, shall have the force and effect of a judgment of the supreme court, and execution may issue therefrom in the first instance against the party’s property generally.

61.13 Power of judge.

The presiding judge of this court shall have authority to carry into effect any order of the court, after the adjournment thereof, by attachment or otherwise.

61.14 Compensation of judges.

The judges shall be entitled to receive for their travel and attendance the sum of twelve dollars each per day, with such mileage as is allowed to members of the general assembly, to be paid from the state treasury.

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