HF 2385 — A bill for an act relating to the automatic mailing of ballots, and including applicability provisions.

Bill Text

• Introduced View text Current pdf

AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.

• Section 22.7, subsection 72

  the subsection.

  Removes subsection 72 from Section 22.7 entirely.

• Section 48A.10A, subsection 1

  1. 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, instructions on how the voter may track the status of an absentee ballot, an additional four-digit personal identification number assigned by the state commissioner, and the times during which polling places will be open on election days.

  Adds requirements for issuing a voter identification card to registered voters whose names are not in the transportation department's files.

• Section 53.1

  1. Any registered voter may, subject to the provisions of this chapter, vote at any election: a. 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. b. When, through illness or physical disability, the voter expects to be prevented from going to the polls and voting on election day. c. When the voter expects to be unable to go to the polls and vote on election day. 2. 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.

  Clarifies voting rights for registered voters and stipulates that those with power of attorney cannot vote on behalf of the registered voter.

• Section 53.7

  1. 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. 2. 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.

  Establishes prohibitions against public employees soliciting for absentee ballot applications during their employment.

• Section 53.8

  but not more than twenty days before the election → forty-five days before the election

  Extends the timeline for mailing absentee ballots from twenty days to forty-five days before the election.

• Section 53.8

  a statement informing the applicant registered voter that the sealed return envelope may be mailed to the commissioner by the registered voter or a person not prohibited to collect and deliver a completed ballot pursuant to section 53.33, may be returned to a drop box established by the commissioner pursuant to section 53.17, subsection 1, by the registered voter or a person not prohibited to collect and deliver a completed ballot pursuant to section 53.33, only if the commissioner has established such a drop box, or may be personally delivered to the commissioner’s office by the registered voter or a person not prohibited to collect and deliver a completed ballot pursuant to section 53.33. The statement shall also inform the voter that the voter may request that the person not prohibited to collect and deliver a completed ballot pursuant to section 53.33 complete a receipt when retrieving the ballot from the voter and that the status of the absentee ballot may be checked on the internet site of the secretary of state. A blank receipt shall be enclosed with the absentee ballot.

  Adds comprehensive instructions to voters about how their absentee ballots can be submitted.

Action History

1. February 08, 2024

   Introduced, referred to State Government.

Sponsors

• Eric J. Gjerde · Primary
• CAHILL · Primary
• David Jacoby · Primary
• Ross Wilburn · Primary
• Bob Kressig · Primary
• Timi M. Brown-Powers · Primary
• BUCK · Primary
• Mary Lee Madison · Primary
• Jerome Amos Jr. · Primary
• Art Staed · Primary
• Elizabeth Wilson · Primary
• Dr. Megan L. Srinivas · Primary
• Sean Bagniewski · Primary
• Ken Croken · Primary

Subjects