Relating to elections for school district and city officers and bonds, and including applicability provisions

Where it is now

Done: IntroducedJanuary 28, 2026
Done: SubcommitteeJanuary 29, 2026
Done: House committeeFebruary 17, 2026
Skipped: Passes the HouseContinued as HF 2623
Next: Senate committee
Next: Passes the Senate
Next: To the Governor
Next: Signed into law

Became HF 2623 → Its progress continues under the new number. Go to HF 2623 What’s a funnel?

What’s in it

AI summary Local elections for city and school district officers would move from odd-numbered years to even-numbered years so they happen at the same time as general elections. Some current officials would have their terms extended slightly to make this switch work. Additionally, cities and school districts would have the option to hold special elections about issuing bonds in June.¹

Read the official explanation

This bill relates to elections for school district and city officers and bonds. DIVISION I —— SCHOOL DISTRICT AND CITY ELECTIONS. The bill changes the day of school district and city elections from the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November in each odd-numbered year to the first Tuesday after the first Monday of November of each even-numbered year, the same day as the general election. School district and city officers serving on July 1, 2026, whose terms would expire in January of an even-numbered year shall instead serve until the January next following and be eligible for reelection in the November immediately preceding the January in which the school district or city officer’s term of office expires. This division of the bill applies to regular school district and city elections held after November 2, 2027. DIVISION II —— BOND ELECTIONS —— DATES. The bill adds the first Tuesday after the first Monday in June as an available date for a political subdivision to hold a special election that is in whole or in part for the question of issuing bonds or other indebtedness.

Why it matters. School district and city elections would move from odd-numbered years to even-numbered years to coincide with general elections. Local governments would also have the option to hold special elections for issuing bonds or other debt on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in June.²

Full bill text³

House subcommittee

Named January 29, 2026. On February 3, 2026 it recommended passage.

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

Fiscal note

AI summary This bill moves city and school board elections to be held during the general election in even-numbered years. It is estimated that $4.2 million in school district election costs will shift from fiscal year 2030 to fiscal year 2031. The cost to administer city elections is unknown, and while cost increases to counties may be significant, they cannot be determined.⁴

Read the fiscal note

Description

House File 2623 changes a city or school election to be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of each even-numbered year, which is the same day as the general election. This provision of the Bill applies to regular school district and city elections held after November 2, 2027.

School district and city officers serving on July 1, 2026 (FY 2027), whose terms would expire in January of an even-numbered year, are required to serve until the January next following and be eligible for reelection in the November immediately preceding the January in which the school district or city officer’s term of office expires.

Background

Currently, school district and city elections are held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November in odd-numbered years. Counties administer both city and school district elections. There are 324 school districts and 940 cities in Iowa.

Assumptions

The Iowa Association of School Boards (IASB) estimates $13,000 per school board election and can be dependent on the number of counties within a school district’s boundaries.
It is unknown if there will be an increase in the number of bond elections for school districts.
Counties estimate increased election costs for counties may be significant, due to additional ballot styles, printing, design, and poll workers to manage additional ballot styles.

Fiscal Impact

House File 2623 is estimated to shift $4.2 million in school district election costs from FY 2030 to FY 2031. The cost shifted to administer city elections is unknown. Cost increases to counties may be significant, but cannot be determined.

Sources

Iowa Association of School Boards
Iowa State Association of Counties

Election Dates, City, School Board, and Bond Measures · March 9, 2026

Reading a fiscal note⁵

Iowa Code it changes

Amends§277.1 §376.1 §39.2

How the Code works⁶

Lobbying

3 for · 6 against · 15 undecided · Who →

Family tree

91st General Assembly

HF 2191Renumbered HF 2623Passed a chamberfrom HF 2191

Notes

The summary is written by an AI model from the official explanation. It can miss details; the explanation and the bill are what count. ↩
Written by an AI model from the official explanation and fiscal note only, for bills that passed a chamber, drew heavy lobbying or carry a large cost. It doesn’t weigh whether the bill is a good idea. ↩
The explanation is printed with the bill as introduced and written by the Legislative Services Agency, the Legislature’s nonpartisan staff. Amendments adopted later aren’t reflected in it. ↩
Written by an AI model from the newest fiscal note. It can miss details; the note itself is what counts. ↩
Fiscal notes are nonpartisan cost estimates from the Legislative Services Agency’s Fiscal Services Division. The newest is listed first. ↩
Code sections are read from the bill as introduced. Each links to every bill touching that chapter of the Iowa Code. ↩