House File 954 - Reprinted HOUSE FILE 954 BY COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT (SUCCESSOR TO HSB 281) (As Amended and Passed by the House March 25, 2025 ) A BILL FOR An Act relating to the conduct of elections, and including 1 effective date and retroactive applicability provisions. 2 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA: 3 HF 954 (3) 91 ss/ns/md
H.F. 954 DIVISION I 1 ADMINISTRATION OF ELECTIONS 2 Section 1. Section 9E.6, subsection 3, paragraph b, 3 subparagraph (1), Code 2025, is amended to read as follows: 4 (1) The state commissioner of elections shall, upon 5 the written request of a party to the contest, certify the 6 eligibility of a program participant to vote or the validity 7 of a program participants absentee ballot. A written request 8 submitted under this paragraph b must contain the voter 9 voters four-digit personal identification number affixed to 10 the program participants absentee ballot. 11 Sec. 2. Section 39.2, subsection 1, paragraph a, Code 2025, 12 is amended to read as follows: 13 a. All special elections which are authorized or required 14 by law, unless the applicable law otherwise requires, shall 15 be held on Tuesday. A special election shall not be held on 16 the first, second, third, and fourth Tuesdays preceding and 17 following the primary and the general elections or on the 18 first, second, and third Tuesdays preceding and following a 19 city or school election . 20 Sec. 3. Section 43.18, subsection 9, Code 2025, is amended 21 to read as follows: 22 9. A statement that the candidate is aware that the 23 candidate is disqualified from holding office if the candidate 24 has been convicted of a felony or other infamous crime and 25 the candidates rights have not been restored by the governor 26 or by the president of the United States. This subsection 27 does not apply to candidates for federal office. The state 28 commissioner shall prescribe a separate affidavit of candidacy 29 for candidates for federal office. 30 Sec. 4. Section 43.67, subsection 2, paragraph i, Code 2025, 31 is amended to read as follows: 32 i. A statement that the candidate is aware that the 33 candidate is disqualified from holding office if the candidate 34 has been convicted of a felony or other infamous crime and 35 -1- HF 954 (3) 91 ss/ns/md 1/ 20
H.F. 954 the candidates rights have not been restored by the governor 1 or by the president of the United States. This paragraph 2 does not apply to candidates for federal office. The state 3 commissioner shall prescribe a separate affidavit of candidacy 4 for candidates for federal office. 5 Sec. 5. Section 44.3, subsection 2, paragraph i, Code 2025, 6 is amended to read as follows: 7 i. A statement that the candidate is aware that the 8 candidate is disqualified from holding office if the candidate 9 has been convicted of a felony or other infamous crime and 10 the candidates rights have not been restored by the governor 11 or by the president of the United States. This paragraph 12 does not apply to candidates for federal office. The state 13 commissioner shall prescribe a separate affidavit of candidacy 14 for candidates for federal office. 15 Sec. 6. Section 45.3, subsection 9, Code 2025, is amended 16 to read as follows: 17 9. A statement that the candidate is aware that the 18 candidate is disqualified from holding office if the candidate 19 has been convicted of a felony or other infamous crime and 20 the candidates rights have not been restored by the governor 21 or by the president of the United States. This subsection 22 does not apply to candidates for federal office. The state 23 commissioner shall prescribe a separate affidavit of candidacy 24 for candidates for federal office. 25 Sec. 7. Section 47.1, subsections 1, 6, 7, and 8, Code 2025, 26 are amended to read as follows: 27 1. The secretary of state is designated as the state 28 commissioner of elections and shall supervise the activities of 29 the county commissioners of elections. There is established 30 within the office of the secretary of state a division of 31 elections which shall be under the direction of the state 32 commissioner of elections. The state commissioner of 33 elections may appoint a person to be in charge of the division 34 of elections who shall perform the duties assigned by the 35 -2- HF 954 (3) 91 ss/ns/md 2/ 20
H.F. 954 state commissioner of elections. The state commissioner of 1 elections shall prescribe uniform election practices and 2 procedures, shall prescribe the necessary forms required 3 for the conduct of elections, shall assign a number to each 4 proposed constitutional amendment and statewide public measure 5 for identification purposes, and shall adopt rules , pursuant to 6 chapter 17A , to carry out this section . The state commissioner 7 of elections may issue guidance and directives that is are not 8 subject to the rulemaking process to clarify election laws and 9 rules. 10 6. The state commissioner may, at the state commissioners 11 discretion, examine the records of a commissioner to evaluate 12 complaints and to ensure compliance with the provisions of 13 chapters 39 through 53 . This examination shall include but not 14 be limited to assessments conducted or authorized by private or 15 government entities to evaluate a countys security readiness 16 for elections-related technology or physical facilities. The 17 state commissioner shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A to 18 require a commissioner to provide written explanations related 19 to examinations conducted pursuant to this subsection . Any 20 information that is requested by or in the possession of the 21 state commissioner pursuant to this chapter shall not lose its 22 confidential status pursuant to section 22.7 , subsection 50 . 23 7. The state commissioner may share information a county 24 provides to an appropriate government agency to safeguard 25 against cybersecurity or physical threats. A county 26 commissioner of elections shall notify the state commissioner 27 when the county commissioners office is involved in physical 28 or cybersecurity assessments performed by a federal or state 29 agency or other entity. 30 8. The state commissioner may adopt rules pursuant to 31 chapter 17A to create minimum security protocols applicable 32 to county commissioners of elections and vendors utilized 33 by the state commissioner and county commissioners of 34 elections . If a county fails to adhere to these protocols, 35 -3- HF 954 (3) 91 ss/ns/md 3/ 20
H.F. 954 the state commissioner may limit access to the statewide voter 1 registration system. If a vendor fails to adhere to these 2 protocols, the state commissioner may limit access to election 3 infrastructure. 4 Sec. 8. Section 47.2, subsection 1, Code 2025, is amended 5 to read as follows: 6 1. The county auditor of each county is designated as the 7 county commissioner of elections in each county. The county 8 commissioner of elections shall conduct voter registration 9 pursuant to chapter 48A and conduct all elections within the 10 county. The county commissioner of elections does not possess 11 home rule powers with respect to the exercise of powers or 12 duties related to the conduct of elections prescribed by 13 statute or rule, or guidance or directives issued pursuant to 14 section 47.1 . 15 Sec. 9. Section 48A.26A, subsection 2, Code 2025, is amended 16 to read as follows: 17 2. If the acknowledgment is returned as undeliverable by 18 the postal service, the commissioner shall attempt to contact 19 the voter by forwardable mail. If a response is not received 20 from the voter within fourteen days after the notice is mailed, 21 the commissioner shall change the status of the registration 22 to inactive status and shall immediately notify the state 23 registrar of voters , the county sheriff, and the county 24 attorney. 25 Sec. 10. Section 48A.37, subsection 1, Code 2025, is amended 26 to read as follows: 27 1. Voter registration records , including voter registration 28 forms, shall be maintained in an electronic medium on the 29 statewide voter registration system . A history of local 30 election participation shall be maintained as part of the 31 electronic record for at least two general, primary, school, 32 and city elections. Absentee voting shall be recorded for 33 the previous two general and primary elections. After each 34 election, the county commissioner shall update telephone 35 -4- HF 954 (3) 91 ss/ns/md 4/ 20
H.F. 954 numbers provided by registered voters pursuant to section 1 49.77 . 2 Sec. 11. NEW SECTION . 49.29 Electronic election register 3 and poll book. 4 1. The commissioner may use an electronic election register 5 or election poll book in lieu of a paper register or poll book 6 if the electronic election register or poll book is a product 7 that has been certified for use in this state by the state 8 commissioner. 9 2. The state commissioner shall adopt rules pursuant to 10 chapter 17A for certification standards for electronic election 11 registers and election poll books. The certification standards 12 must include operational and security standards. 13 Sec. 12. Section 50.12, Code 2025, is amended to read as 14 follows: 15 50.12 Return and preservation of ballots. 16 Immediately after making the proclamation, and before 17 separating, the board members of each precinct in which votes 18 have been received by paper ballot shall enclose in an envelope 19 or other container all ballots which have been counted by them, 20 except those endorsed Rejected as double, Defective, or 21 Objected to, and securely seal the envelope. The signatures 22 of all board members of the precinct shall be placed across 23 the seal or the opening of the container so that it cannot 24 be opened without breaking the seal. The precinct election 25 officials shall return all the ballots to the commissioner, 26 who shall carefully preserve them for six twenty-two months. 27 Ballots from elections for federal offices shall be preserved 28 for twenty-two months. The sealed packages containing voted 29 ballots shall be opened only for an official recount authorized 30 by section 50.48 , 50.49 , or 50.50 , for an election contest 31 held pursuant to chapters 57 through 62 , to conduct an audit 32 pursuant to section 50.51 , or to destroy the ballots pursuant 33 to section 50.19 . 34 Sec. 13. Section 50.19, subsection 1, Code 2025, is amended 35 -5- HF 954 (3) 91 ss/ns/md 5/ 20
H.F. 954 to read as follows: 1 1. The commissioner may destroy precinct election 2 registers, the declarations of eligibility signed by voters, 3 and other material pertaining to any election in which federal 4 offices are not on the ballot, except the tally lists and 5 abstracts of votes which have not been electronically recorded, 6 six twenty-two months after the election if a contest is not 7 pending. If a contest is pending, all election materials shall 8 be preserved until final determination of the contest or until 9 twenty-two months after the election, whichever is later . 10 Before destroying the election registers and declarations 11 of eligibility, the commissioner shall prepare records as 12 necessary to permit compliance with chapter 48A, subchapter V . 13 Nomination papers for primary election candidates for state and 14 county offices shall be destroyed ten days before the general 15 election, if a contest is not pending. 16 Sec. 14. Section 53.2, subsection 4, paragraph c, Code 2025, 17 is amended to read as follows: 18 c. For purposes of this subsection , voter verification 19 number means the registered voters drivers license number or 20 nonoperators identification card number assigned to the voter 21 by the department of transportation or the registered voters 22 four-digit personal identification number assigned to the voter 23 by the state commissioner pursuant to section 47.7 48A.10A , 24 subsection 2 1 . 25 Sec. 15. Section 53.10, subsection 2, paragraph b, Code 26 2025, is amended to read as follows: 27 b. For purposes of this subsection , voter verification 28 number means the registered voters drivers license number or 29 nonoperators identification card number assigned to the voter 30 by the department of transportation or the registered voters 31 four-digit personal identification number assigned to the voter 32 by the state commissioner pursuant to section 47.7 48A.10A , 33 subsection 2 1 . 34 Sec. 16. Section 53.23, subsection 3, paragraph a, Code 35 -6- HF 954 (3) 91 ss/ns/md 6/ 20
H.F. 954 2025, is amended to read as follows: 1 a. The commissioner shall set the a convening time for the 2 board of no later than 9:00 a.m. on election day , allowing a 3 reasonable amount of time to complete counting all absentee 4 ballots by 10:00 p.m. on election day. 5 Sec. 17. Section 54.5, subsection 3, Code 2025, is amended 6 to read as follows: 7 3. Each elector nominee and alternate elector nominee 8 of a political party or group of petitioners shall execute 9 the following pledge on a form prescribed by the state 10 commissioner , which shall accompany the submission of the 11 corresponding names to the state commissioner: 12 If selected for the position of elector, I agree to serve 13 and to mark my ballots for president and vice president for 14 the nominees for those offices of the party (or group of 15 petitioners) that nominated me. 16 Sec. 18. Section 54.5, Code 2025, is amended by adding the 17 following new subsection: 18 NEW SUBSECTION . 5. An objection to a nomination made under 19 this section on any grounds other than the legal sufficiency 20 of the certificate of nomination shall not be sustained. The 21 certificate of nomination shall be presumed valid. 22 Sec. 19. Section 384.19, subsection 1, Code 2025, is amended 23 to read as follows: 24 1. Within a period of ten days after the final date that 25 a budget or amended budget may be certified to the county 26 auditor, persons affected by the budget may file a written 27 protest with the county auditor specifying their objections 28 to the budget or any part of it. A protest must be signed by 29 registered voters equal in number to one-fourth of one percent 30 of the votes cast for governor in the last preceding general 31 election in the city, but the number shall not be less than 32 ten persons and the number need not be more than one hundred 33 persons population of the city according to the most recent 34 federal decennial census or special census, whichever is later . 35 -7- HF 954 (3) 91 ss/ns/md 7/ 20
H.F. 954 DIVISION II 1 RANKED CHOICE VOTING 2 Sec. 20. Section 49.93, Code 2025, is amended to read as 3 follows: 4 49.93 Number of votes for each office. 5 1. For an office to which one person is to be elected, a 6 voter shall not vote for more than one candidate. If two or 7 more persons are to be elected to an office, the voter shall 8 vote for no more than the number of persons to be elected. If a 9 person votes for more than the permitted number of candidates, 10 the vote for that office shall not count. Valid votes cast on 11 the rest of the ballot shall be counted. 12 2. a. An election in this state shall not be conducted 13 using ranked choice voting or instant runoff voting. 14 b. For the purposes of this section, ranked choice voting 15 or instant runoff voting means a method of casting and 16 tabulating votes in which a voter ranks candidates in order of 17 preference, tabulation of ballots proceeds in rounds such that 18 in each round either a candidate is elected or the candidate 19 receiving the fewest votes is defeated, votes are transferred 20 from elected or defeated candidates to a voters next-ranked 21 candidate in order of preference, and tabulation ends when a 22 candidate receives the majority of votes cast or the number of 23 candidates elected equals the number of offices to be filled, 24 as applicable. 25 Sec. 21. EFFECTIVE DATE. This division of this Act takes 26 effect January 1, 2026. 27 DIVISION III 28 PERSONS PERMITTED IN VOTING BOOTHS 29 Sec. 22. Section 49.88, subsection 3, Code 2025, is amended 30 to read as follows: 31 3. A person standing for election on the ballot before a 32 voter shall not occupy commits a violation of this section by 33 occupying the voting booth with the voter, including to assist 34 the voter. 35 -8- HF 954 (3) 91 ss/ns/md 8/ 20
H.F. 954 Sec. 23. Section 49.90, Code 2025, is amended to read as 1 follows: 2 49.90 Assisting voter. 3 1. Any voter who may declare upon oath that the voter is 4 blind, cannot read the English language, or is, by reason of 5 any physical disability other than intoxication, unable to cast 6 a vote without assistance, shall, upon request, be assisted by 7 the two officers as provided in section 49.89 , or alternatively 8 by any other person the voter may select in casting the vote, 9 except that the voter shall not select a person standing for 10 election on the ballot. The officers, or the person selected 11 by the voter, shall cast the vote of the voter requiring 12 assistance, and shall thereafter give no information regarding 13 the vote cast. If any elector because of a disability cannot 14 enter the building where the polling place for the electors 15 precinct of residence is located, the two officers shall take 16 a paper ballot to the vehicle occupied by the elector with 17 a disability and allow the elector to cast the ballot in 18 the vehicle. Ballots cast by voters with disabilities shall 19 be deposited in the regular ballot box, or inserted in the 20 tabulating device, and counted in the usual manner. 21 2. A person standing for election on the ballot before a 22 voter commits a violation of section 49.88 by occupying the 23 voting booth with the voter. 24 Sec. 24. EFFECTIVE DATE. This division of this Act takes 25 effect January 1, 2026. 26 DIVISION IV 27 COUNTY HOSPITAL BOARD OF TRUSTEES 28 Sec. 25. Section 347.9, subsection 3, Code 2025, is amended 29 by striking the subsection. 30 Sec. 26. RETROACTIVE APPLICABILITY. This division of 31 this Act applies retroactively to persons elected to a county 32 hospital board of trustees on or after January 1, 2024. 33 DIVISION V 34 POLITICAL PARTY DEFINITION 35 -9- HF 954 (3) 91 ss/ns/md 9/ 20
H.F. 954 Sec. 27. Section 43.2, subsection 1, paragraph b, Code 2025, 1 is amended to read as follows: 2 b. Political party shall mean a party which, at the 3 last three preceding general election elections , cast for its 4 candidate for president of the United States or for governor, 5 as the case may be, at least two percent of the total vote 6 cast for all candidates for that office at that election 7 those elections . It shall be the responsibility of the state 8 commissioner to determine whether any organization claiming to 9 be a political party qualifies as such under this paragraph. 10 Sec. 28. Section 43.63, subsection 1, Code 2025, is amended 11 to read as follows: 12 1. Upon receipt of the abstracts of votes from the counties, 13 the secretary of state shall immediately open the envelopes and 14 canvass the results for all offices. The secretary of state 15 shall invite to attend the canvass one representative from each 16 political party which, at the last three preceding general 17 election elections , cast for its candidate for president of the 18 United States or for governor, as the case may be, at least 19 two percent of the total vote cast for all candidates for that 20 office at that election those elections , as determined by the 21 secretary of state. The secretary of state shall notify the 22 chairperson of each political party of the time of the canvass. 23 However, the presence of a representative from a political 24 party is not necessary for the canvass to proceed. 25 Sec. 29. Section 50.36, subsection 2, Code 2025, is amended 26 to read as follows: 27 2. The secretary of state shall invite to attend the 28 canvass one representative from each political party which, 29 at the last three preceding general election elections , cast 30 for its candidate for president of the United States or for 31 governor, as the case may be, at least two percent of the 32 total vote cast for all candidates for that office at that 33 election those elections , as determined by the secretary of 34 state. The secretary of state shall notify the chairperson 35 -10- HF 954 (3) 91 ss/ns/md 10/ 20
H.F. 954 of each political party of the time of the canvass. However, 1 the presence of a representative from a political party is not 2 necessary for the canvass to proceed. 3 Sec. 30. Section 68B.2, subsection 13, paragraph b, 4 subparagraph (1), Code 2025, is amended to read as follows: 5 (1) Officials and employees of a political party organized 6 in the state of Iowa representing more than two percent of 7 the total votes cast for governor in the last three preceding 8 general election elections , but only when representing the 9 political party in an official capacity. 10 DIVISION VI 11 NOMINATION FILING DEADLINES 12 Sec. 31. Section 44.4, subsection 1, Code 2025, is amended 13 to read as follows: 14 1. a. Nominations made pursuant to this chapter and 15 chapter 45 which are required to be filed in the office of the 16 state commissioner shall be filed in that office not more than 17 ninety-nine days nor later than 5:00 p.m. on the eighty-first 18 day before the first Tuesday after the first Monday in June 19 in each even-numbered year. Nominations made for a special 20 election called pursuant to section 69.14 shall be filed by 21 5:00 p.m. not less than twenty-five days before the date of an 22 election called upon at least forty days notice and not less 23 than fourteen days before the date of an election called upon 24 at least eighteen days notice. Nominations made for a special 25 election called pursuant to section 69.14A shall be filed by 26 5:00 p.m. not less than twenty-five days before the date of 27 the election. Nominations made pursuant to this chapter and 28 chapter 45 which are required to be filed in the office of 29 the commissioner shall be filed in that office not more than 30 ninety-two days nor later than 5:00 p.m. on the seventy-fourth 31 day before the first Tuesday after the first Monday in June 32 in each even-numbered year. Nominations made pursuant to 33 this chapter or chapter 45 for city office shall be filed not 34 more than seventy-two days nor later than 5:00 p.m. on the 35 -11- HF 954 (3) 91 ss/ns/md 11/ 20
H.F. 954 forty-seventh day before the city election with the county 1 commissioner of elections responsible under section 47.2 for 2 conducting elections held for the city, who shall process them 3 as provided by law. 4 b. Notwithstanding paragraph a , nominations for president 5 and vice president of the United States shall be filed in the 6 office of the state commissioner not more than ninety-nine days 7 nor later than 5:00 p.m. on the eighty-first day before the 8 date of the general election to be held in November. 9 Sec. 32. Section 44.4, subsection 2, paragraph a, 10 subparagraphs (1) and (2), Code 2025, are amended to read as 11 follows: 12 (1) Those filed with the state commissioner, not less later 13 than seventy-four seven days before after the first Tuesday 14 after the first Monday in June in each even-numbered year , 15 or for certificates of nomination filed under subsection 1 , 16 paragraph b , not less than seventy-four days before the date 17 of the election . 18 (2) Those filed with the commissioner, not less later than 19 sixty-seven seven days before after the first Tuesday after 20 the first Monday in June in each even-numbered year, except as 21 provided in subparagraph (3). 22 Sec. 33. Section 44.9, subsection 1, Code 2025, is amended 23 to read as follows: 24 1. In the office of the state commissioner, at least 25 eighty-one days before the date of the election , or for 26 withdrawals of nominations filed under section 44.4, subsection 27 1 , paragraph b , at least seventy-six days before the date of 28 election . 29 Sec. 34. Section 44.11, Code 2025, is amended to read as 30 follows: 31 44.11 Vacancies filled. 32 If a candidate named under this chapter withdraws or dies 33 before the deadline established in section 44.9 , declines 34 a nomination, or if a certificate of nomination is held 35 -12- HF 954 (3) 91 ss/ns/md 12/ 20
H.F. 954 insufficient or inoperative by the officer with whom it 1 is required to be filed, or in case any objection made to 2 a certificate of nomination, or to the eligibility of any 3 candidate named in the certificate, is sustained by the board 4 appointed to determine such questions, the vacancy or vacancies 5 may be filled by the convention, or caucus, or in such manner 6 as such convention or caucus has previously provided. The 7 vacancy or vacancies shall be filled not less than seventy-six 8 days before the election in the case of nominations required 9 to be filed with the state commissioner or not less than 10 seventy-one days for nominations filed under section 44.4, 11 subsection 1 , paragraph b , not less than sixty-nine days 12 before the election in the case of nominations required to 13 be filed with the commissioner, not less than forty-two days 14 before the election in the case of nominations required to be 15 filed in the office of the school board secretary, and not 16 less than forty-two days before the election in the case of 17 nominations required to be filed with the commissioner for city 18 elections. 19 DIVISION VII 20 AFFIDAVITS OF CANDIDACY 21 Sec. 35. Section 43.18, Code 2025, is amended by adding the 22 following new subsection: 23 NEW SUBSECTION . 10. A statement that the candidate is aware 24 that by filing this affidavit, the candidate is ineligible to 25 appear on the same ballot for the same office other than as a 26 candidate for the political party indicated on the affidavit. 27 Sec. 36. Section 43.67, subsection 2, Code 2025, is amended 28 by adding the following new paragraph: 29 NEW PARAGRAPH . j. A statement that the candidate is aware 30 that by filing this affidavit, the candidate is ineligible to 31 appear on the same ballot for the same office other than as a 32 candidate for the political party indicated on the affidavit. 33 Sec. 37. Section 44.3, subsection 2, Code 2025, is amended 34 by adding the following new paragraph: 35 -13- HF 954 (3) 91 ss/ns/md 13/ 20
H.F. 954 NEW PARAGRAPH . j. A statement that the candidate is aware 1 that by filing this affidavit, the candidate is ineligible to 2 appear on the same ballot for the same office other than as a 3 candidate for the nonparty political organization indicated on 4 the affidavit. 5 Sec. 38. Section 45.3, Code 2025, is amended by adding the 6 following new subsection: 7 NEW SUBSECTION . 10. A statement that the candidate is aware 8 that by filing this affidavit, the candidate is ineligible to 9 appear on the same ballot for the same office other than as a 10 candidate nominated by petition. 11 DIVISION VIII 12 VOTER REGISTRATION 13 Sec. 39. Section 47.7, subsection 2, Code 2025, is amended 14 to read as follows: 15 2. a. On or before January 1, 2006, the The state registrar 16 of voters shall implement in a uniform and nondiscriminatory 17 manner, a single, uniform, official, centralized, interactive 18 computerized statewide voter registration file defined, 19 maintained, and administered at the state level that contains 20 the name and registration information of every legally 21 registered voter in the state and assigns a unique identifier 22 to each legally registered voter in the state. The state voter 23 registration system shall be coordinated with other agency 24 databases within the state, including , but not limited to , 25 state department of transportation drivers license records, 26 judicial records of convicted felons and persons declared 27 incompetent to vote, and department of health and human 28 services records of deceased persons. 29 b. On or after January 1, 2007, a A county shall not 30 establish or maintain a voter registration system separate 31 from the state voter registration system. Each county shall 32 provide to the state registrar the names, voter registration 33 information, and voting history of each registered voter in the 34 county in the form required by the state registrar. 35 -14- HF 954 (3) 91 ss/ns/md 14/ 20
H.F. 954 c. A state or local election official may obtain immediate 1 electronic access to the information contained in the 2 computerized voter registration file. All voter registration 3 information obtained by a local election official shall be 4 electronically entered into the computerized voter registration 5 file on an expedited basis at the time the information is 6 provided to the local election official. The state registrar 7 shall provide such support as may be required to enable local 8 election officials to electronically enter the information into 9 the computerized voter registration file on an expedited basis. 10 The list generated from the computerized file shall serve as 11 the official voter registration list for the conduct of all 12 elections for federal office in the state. 13 d. The state registrar shall prescribe by rule the 14 procedures for access to the state voter registration file, 15 including all of the following: 16 (1) Access protocols for adding, changing, or deleting 17 information from the state voter registration file. 18 (2) Training requirements for all state voter registration 19 file users. 20 (3) Technology safeguards, including county information 21 technology network requirements, necessary to access the state 22 voter registration file. 23 (4) Breach incident response requirements and protocols on 24 all matters related to elections. 25 e. The state registrar may rescind access to the statewide 26 voter registration file from a user who is not in compliance 27 with the prescribed rules. 28 f. (1) The state registrar shall, in the first quarter 29 of each calendar year, conduct a verification of all voters 30 in the statewide voter registration file, which shall 31 include cross-referencing the records in the statewide voter 32 registration file with similar records maintained by other 33 states. The state registrar of voters shall cancel the 34 registration of a voter found to be ineligible pursuant to 35 -15- HF 954 (3) 91 ss/ns/md 15/ 20
H.F. 954 section 48A.30 . The state registrar shall submit a report 1 to the general assembly by April 30 of each year regarding 2 the number of voter registrations canceled pursuant to this 3 paragraph. The state registrar shall also publish this report 4 on the internet site of the state registrar. 5 (2) g. The state registrar may contract with a third-party 6 vendor , including state and federal government agencies and 7 private entities, to develop or provide a program to allow 8 the state registrar to verify the status of records in the 9 statewide voter registration file and identify ineligible 10 voters on an ongoing basis. 11 h. The state registrar may adopt rules pursuant to chapter 12 17A for the use of federal and other state agency sources of 13 information. The state registrar and county commissioners 14 of elections may use those sources of information for voter 15 registration file maintenance. 16 i. The department of transportation shall transmit to the 17 state registrar a list of each person seventeen years of age or 18 older in the state who has submitted documentation indicating 19 that the person is not a citizen of the United States. 20 Sec. 40. Section 48A.10A, subsections 1 and 2, Code 2025, 21 are amended to read as follows: 22 1. The state registrar shall compare lists of persons who 23 are registered to vote with the department of transportations 24 drivers license and files, nonoperators identification 25 card files , and noncitizen identification files, and shall, 26 on an initial basis, issue a voter identification card to 27 each active, registered voter whose name does not appear 28 in the department of transportations files. The voter 29 identification card shall include the name of the registered 30 voter, a signature line above which the registered voter shall 31 sign the voter identification card, the registered voters 32 identification number assigned to the voter pursuant to 33 section 47.7, subsection 2 , an additional four-digit personal 34 identification number assigned by the state commissioner, and 35 -16- HF 954 (3) 91 ss/ns/md 16/ 20
H.F. 954 the times during which polling places will be open on election 1 days. 2 2. The commissioner shall issue voter identification cards 3 on an ongoing basis as prescribed by the state registrar. The 4 commissioner shall, as a part of the voter acknowledgment 5 process required under sections 48A.26 and 48A.26A , issue 6 a voter identification card to a registered voter under 7 this subsection at the time of registration or update to 8 registration if the registered voters name does not appear 9 in the department of transportations drivers license , or 10 nonoperators identification card , or noncitizen identification 11 files. A registered voter whose name appears in the department 12 of transportations drivers license , or nonoperators 13 identification card , or noncitizen identification files shall 14 not be issued a voter identification card pursuant to this 15 section . 16 Sec. 41. Section 48A.25A, Code 2025, is amended by adding 17 the following new subsection: 18 NEW SUBSECTION . 2A. A voter registration record shall be 19 designated as unconfirmed status if the registrant self-reports 20 to be a noncitizen on the voter registration form and signs 21 the portion of the form affirming the persons United States 22 citizenship. 23 Sec. 42. Section 48A.30, subsection 1, Code 2025, is amended 24 by adding the following new paragraph: 25 NEW PARAGRAPH . h. The registered voter submits 26 documentation that indicates that the registered voter is not a 27 citizen of the United States or reports to a state or federal 28 agency that the registered voter is not a citizen of the United 29 States. 30 Sec. 43. Section 48A.30, subsection 2, Code 2025, is amended 31 to read as follows: 32 2. When a registration is canceled pursuant to subsection 1 , 33 paragraph d , e , or g , or h , the commissioner shall send 34 a notice of the cancellation to the registered voter. 35 -17- HF 954 (3) 91 ss/ns/md 17/ 20
H.F. 954 Sec. 44. Section 48A.37, subsection 2, Code 2025, is amended 1 to read as follows: 2 2. Electronic records shall include a status code 3 designating whether the records are active, inactive, 4 incomplete, pending, unconfirmed, or canceled. 5 a. Inactive records are records of registered voters to 6 whom notices have been sent pursuant to section 48A.28 , and 7 who have not returned the card or otherwise responded to 8 the notice, and those records have been designated inactive 9 pursuant to section 48A.29 . Inactive records are also records 10 of registered voters to whom notices have been sent pursuant 11 to section 48A.26A and who have not responded to the notice. 12 Incomplete records are records missing required information 13 pursuant to section 48A.11, subsection 8 . Pending records 14 are records of applicants whose applications have not been 15 verified pursuant to section 48A.25A . Unconfirmed records are 16 records of registered voters about whom the state registrar or 17 county commissioner has received information from a reliable 18 source indicating that the registered voter is not qualified. 19 Canceled records are records that have been canceled pursuant 20 to section 48A.30 . All other records are active records. 21 b. An inactive record shall be made active when the 22 registered voter requests an absentee ballot, votes at an 23 election, registers again, or reports a change of name, 24 address, telephone number, or political party or organization 25 affiliation. An incomplete record shall be made active when 26 a completed application is received from the applicant and 27 verified pursuant to section 48A.25A . A pending record shall 28 be made active upon verification or upon the voter providing 29 identification pursuant to section 48A.8 . An unconfirmed 30 record shall be made active upon the registered voter providing 31 evidence that the registered voter is qualified. 32 Sec. 45. Section 49.77, subsection 1, paragraph a, Code 33 2025, is amended to read as follows: 34 a. Any person desiring to vote shall sign a voters 35 -18- HF 954 (3) 91 ss/ns/md 18/ 20
H.F. 954 declaration provided by the officials, in substantially the 1 following form: 2 VOTERS DECLARATION 3 OF ELIGIBILITY 4 I do solemnly swear or affirm that I am a resident of the .... 5 precinct, .... ward or township, city of ........ , county of 6 ........ , Iowa. I am a citizen of the United States. 7 I am a registered voter. I was born on the .... day of .... 8 (month) .... (year). I have not voted and will not 9 vote in any other precinct in said election. 10 I understand that any false statement in this declaration is 11 a criminal offense punishable as provided by law. 12 ................................ 13 Signature of Voter 14 ................................ 15 Address 16 ................................ 17 Telephone (optional) 18 Approved: 19 ............................................ 20 Board Member 21 Sec. 46. Section 49.80, subsection 2, paragraph a, Code 22 2025, is amended by adding the following new subparagraph: 23 NEW SUBPARAGRAPH . (5) The persons citizenship status. 24 Sec. 47. Section 50.22, subsection 2, Code 2025, is amended 25 to read as follows: 26 2. The decision to count or reject each ballot shall be 27 made upon the basis of the information given on the envelope 28 containing the provisional ballot, the evidence concerning 29 the challenge, the registration and the returned receipts of 30 registration. Ballots submitted to the board pursuant to 31 section 49.78 or 49.81 that are not cured by the deadline 32 provided in section 49.81, subsection 6, shall be rejected. 33 DIVISION IX 34 ELECTION MISCONDUCT 35 -19- HF 954 (3) 91 ss/ns/md 19/ 20
H.F. 954 Sec. 48. Section 39A.7, Code 2025, is amended to read as 1 follows: 2 39A.7 Election misconduct investigation. 3 1. The attorney general county sheriff, or other law 4 enforcement agency with jurisdiction, shall investigate 5 allegations of election misconduct reported to the attorney 6 general. Election misconduct by an election official shall 7 also be investigated for prosecution under chapter 721 . 8 2. Upon the completion of an investigation required by 9 this section , the attorney general county sheriff, or other 10 law enforcement agency with jurisdiction, shall submit the 11 results of the investigation , including the report from the 12 law enforcement agency, to the attorney general and the state 13 commissioner , and the attorney general shall explain whether 14 the attorney general will pursue charges. Any information that 15 is requested by or in the possession of the state commissioner 16 pursuant to this chapter remains a confidential record pursuant 17 to section 22.7, subsection 5. 18 -20- HF 954 (3) 91 ss/ns/md 20/ 20