This bill amends various sections of the Iowa Code related to the administration of elections, primarily focusing on the investigation of election misconduct and the responsibilities of election officials. 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 not required to affirm their disqualification status due to felony convictions, and mandates the state commissioner to create separate forms for these candidates.

The bill also introduces provisions for the use of electronic election registers and poll books, allowing county commissioners to utilize certified electronic products instead of paper registers. It establishes that the state commissioner of elections can issue directives to clarify election laws without going through the rulemaking process and broadens the scope of records that can be examined to ensure compliance with election conduct requirements. Furthermore, it allows the state commissioner to call for recounts and limits objections to presidential nominations to the legal sufficiency of the nomination certificate, which will be presumed valid. Overall, the bill aims to enhance the integrity and efficiency of the electoral process in Iowa.

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