Bills › 91st General Assembly
Relating to an absentee ballot marking pilot program for voters with disabilities
Proposed by the Secretary of State · all agency proposals
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedJanuary 20, 2026
- Done: SubcommitteeJanuary 20, 2026
- Stopped: Senate committeeDied when the General Assembly ended
- Next: Passes the Senate
- Next: House committeeFunnel: by March 20, 2026
- Next: Passes the House
- 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 Iowa could start a test program to help voters with disabilities mark their absentee ballots privately using special technology. This program would allow these voters to request their ballots through the mail. Officials will run the test in several counties to see if it should be used across the entire state.1
Read the official explanation
This bill allows the state commissioner of elections to adopt rules to establish a pilot program to allow voters with disabilities that prevent such voters from marking ballots by hand to independently and privately mark absentee ballots, including by the use of assistive technology. The bill requires that the program include a method by which such voters can request an absentee ballot by mail. _____ commissioner of elections to determine whether the program is feasible statewide. The bill requires the state commissioner of elections to file a report with the general assembly by December of each year regarding the pilot program established under the bill. The pilot program is repealed July 1, 2029.
Senate subcommittee
Named January 20, 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
Family tree
Earlier and later bills are matched by wording or an identical title.
Tried before
This idea has been filed in an earlier General Assembly. None got through a chamber.
- HSB 591 HSB 59190th General Assembly · Approved by committee · very similarCleared committee
Similar bills this General Assembly
- HF 2118 Relating to an absentee ballot marking pilot program for voters with disabilities91st General Assembly · Subcommittee recommends passageNearly identical
- HF 819 Relating to an absentee ballot marking pilot program for voters with disabilities91st General Assembly · In committeeNearly identical
Matched by wording or an identical title.