Bills › 91st General Assembly
Relating to elections for school district and city officers, and including applicability provisions
Sponsored by the House Local Government Committee, Rep. Norlin G. Mommsen (R)
Topics:Elections & votingCities & counties
Same legislation: HF 2191
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedJanuary 28, 2026
- Done: SubcommitteeJanuary 29, 2026
- Done: House committeeFebruary 17, 2026
- Done: Passes the HouseMarch 10, 202654–38
- Stopped: Senate committeeDied when the General Assembly ended
- Next: Passes the Senate
- Next: To the Governor
- Next: Signed into law
Died when the session ended The 2026 session adjourned on May 3, 2026, 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 Instead of holding elections in odd-numbered years, school district and city elections would move to even-numbered years to happen at the same time as general elections. Some local officials will have their terms extended by one year to make this change work. These new rules will apply to regular elections held after November 2, 2027.1
Read the official explanation
This bill relates to elections for school district and city officers. 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. The bill applies to regular school district and city elections held after November 2, 2027.
Why it matters. School district and city elections would move from odd-numbered years to even-numbered years to coincide with the general election. This change would extend the terms of certain school district and city officers serving on July 1, 2026, until the following January. It is estimated that $4.2 million in school district election costs will shift from fiscal year 2030 to fiscal year 2031.2
Senate subcommittee
Named March 12, 2026. 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
Fiscal note
Can’t be estimated Compare with other bills
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
Iowa Code it changes
Lobbying
3 for · 6 against · 15 undecided · Who →
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91st General Assembly