Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Iowa relating to the qualifications of electors

Description

Senate Joint Resolution 2002 proposes an amendment to the Iowa Constitution relating to the qualifications of electors. The proposed amendment reduces the voting age described in the Constitution from 21 years of age to 18 years of age, except that a person who will be 18 years of age by the next general election is permitted to vote in a primary election.

Background

Eighteen years of age is the current voting age for every election in the United States under the 26th Amendment of the United States Constitution.

Assumptions

• The average cost to publish a proposed constitutional amendment in a single newspaper is $600.
• Publication of the initial amendment would occur monthly in eight newspapers (two in each congressional district) for a three-month period.
• Subsequent publication of the amendment would occur monthly in 99 newspapers (one in each county) for a three-month period.

Fiscal Impact

Constitutional Amendment Publication Cost. The estimated cost to publish a proposed constitutional amendment passed by the General Assembly during the 2020 Legislative Session would be $14,400 (8 newspapers x 3 months x $600). The costs would be incurred in fall 2020 (FY 2021).

Assuming the proposed amendment is passed a second time during the 2021 Legislative Session, the estimated cost would be $178,200 (99 newspapers x 3 months x $600). The costs would be incurred in fall 2022 (FY 2023).

These publication costs would be incurred by the Secretary of the Senate’s Office and the Chief Clerk’s Office in the House of Representatives and reimbursed by the Iowa Secretary of State’s Office.

Source

• Office of the Secretary of State