Relating to the printing and counting of absentee ballots by requiring a watermark, and including effective date provisions

Official bill page Lobbyist declarations One-pager to print

Where it is now

Done: IntroducedFebruary 1, 2022
Done: SubcommitteeFebruary 2, 2022
Stopped: Senate committeeDied when the General Assembly ended
Next: Passes the Senate
Next: House committee
Next: Passes the House
Next: To the Governor
Next: Signed into law

Died when the session ended The 2022 session adjourned on May 24, 2022, the General Assembly’s last regular session. Bills that didn’t pass both chambers died. What’s a funnel?

What’s in it

AI summary Every absentee ballot must now have a special watermark that election officials can easily see. If a ballot is missing this mark, election boards must reject it and set it aside. Officials will then report these rejected ballots to state authorities to investigate if any wrongdoing happened.¹

Read the official explanation

This bill relates to the printing of ballots. The bill requires each absentee ballot to include a watermark, approved by the state commissioner of elections, that is easily discernible to the county commissioner of elections and the absentee and special voters precinct election board. If an absentee ballot lacks the watermark, the bill requires the absentee and special voters precinct board to reject the ballot, keep the ballot and the ballot’s affidavit envelope separate from all other ballots, and report the ballot to the state commissioner of elections, relevant county attorney, and attorney general, who shall investigate the ballot for potential election misconduct. The bill takes effect July 1, 2023, except that the state commissioner of elections may adopt rules for the implementation of the bill prior to that date.

Full bill text²

Senate subcommittee

Named February 2, 2022. It hasn’t reported yet.

Three legislators hear a bill first and recommend what the committee should do; it’s the best time to weigh in. How to take part

Iowa Code it changes

Amends§43.27 §49.57 §53.25 §53.26

How the Code works³

Lobbying

1 for · 0 against · 1 undecided · Who →