SF 342: Relating to the conduct of elections, including the casting of provisional ballots by persons registering to vote on election day or when casting an in-person absentee ballot, and the use of automatic tabulating equipment and optical scan voting systems

What it does

This bill relates to the conduct of elections. The bill requires a person registering to vote on election day or when casting an in-person absentee ballot to cast a provisional ballot. The absentee and special voters precinct board shall then count the provisional ballot only if the board determines that the voter was eligible to vote. Under current law, a person registering to vote on election day or when casting an in-person absentee ballot may cast a regular ballot if the polling place can verify the voter’s eligibility to vote using an electronic poll book. The bill strikes provisions requiring the use of optical scan voting systems in all elections and the use of automatic tabulating equipment in certain elections.

Senate subcommittee · named February 22, 2023

• Sen. Sandy Salmon (R) · sandy.salmon@legis.iowa.gov
• Sen. Jason Schultz (R) · jason.schultz@legis.iowa.gov
• Sen. Janice Weiner (D) · janice.weiner@legis.iowa.gov

Lobbying · 1 for, 5 against

For: Iowa Minuteman Civil Defense Corps

Against: Disability Rights Iowa; Iowa Chapter of Sierra Club; Iowa Developmental Disabilities Council; Iowa State Association of County Auditors; League of Women Voters of Iowa

In plain words

1. February 20, 2023Filed in the Senate and sent to the State Government committee
2. February 22, 2023Senate subcommittee named: Salmon, Schultz and Weiner
3. February 27, 2023Subcommittee recommended passing it