Bills › 91st General Assembly
Relating to an absentee ballot marking pilot program for voters with disabilities
Sponsored by Rep. David E. Young (R)
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedJanuary 21, 2026
- Done: SubcommitteeJanuary 27, 2026
- Stopped: House committeeDied when the General Assembly ended
- Next: Passes the House
- Next: Senate committeeFunnel: by March 20, 2026
- 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 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. If the program works well in several counties, officials will decide 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. If the pilot program under the bill is not established statewide, the bill requires that the program be established in a sufficient number of counties to allow the state 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 The pilot program is repealed July 1, 2029.
House subcommittee
Named January 27, 2026. On February 12, 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
2 written public comments to its subcommittee: February 12, 2026 (2) · on the Legislature’s site
Family tree
Tried before
91st General Assembly
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 819 Relating to an absentee ballot marking pilot program for voters with disabilities91st General Assembly · In committeeNearly identical
- SSB 3047 Relating to an absentee ballot marking pilot program for voters with disabilities91st General Assembly · In committeeNearly identical
Matched by wording or an identical title.