This bill amends various sections of Iowa's election laws, primarily focusing on the administration and oversight of elections. It transfers the responsibility for investigating allegations of election misconduct from the attorney general to the county sheriff or other law enforcement agencies with jurisdiction. Upon completing an investigation, these agencies must report their findings to both the attorney general and the state commissioner of elections, while ensuring that any information related to the investigation remains confidential. Additionally, the bill specifies that candidates for federal office are exempt from affirming their disqualification status due to felony convictions, and it mandates the creation of separate affidavits for these candidates.

The bill also introduces provisions for the use of electronic election registers and poll books, provided they are certified by the state commissioner of elections, and establishes rules for their operational and security standards. It allows the state commissioner to issue directives without going through the rulemaking process, broadens the scope of records that can be examined for compliance, and requires county commissioners to notify the state commissioner about any cybersecurity assessments. Furthermore, it limits the ability of county commissioners to choose voting methods in certain elections, allows for recounts at the discretion of the state commissioner, and presumes the validity of certificates of nomination for presidential candidates, restricting objections to their legal sufficiency.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 39A.7, 22.7, 43.67, 44.3, 45.3, 47.1, 49.25, 49.26, 50.24, 50.50, 52.1, 54.5