House File 928 amends various sections of the Iowa Code concerning the recounting and contesting of elections, with a primary focus on streamlining procedures and timelines for canvassing election results. The bill specifies that the canvassing date will now be set for "Tuesday" following elections, rather than "Monday or Tuesday," to ensure consistency. It introduces new provisions allowing for recount requests when the vote difference is less than one percent or fifty votes, whichever is lesser, and outlines the responsibilities of the state commissioner of elections in managing recounts for statewide and federal offices. Additionally, the bill establishes guidelines for the recount process, including the composition of the recount board and conditions for halting a recount, while also permitting candidates to agree to accept original canvass results prior to the final report.

Moreover, the bill removes the requirement for a bond for administrative recounts and allows the state commissioner to adopt rules for audits, enhancing transparency by permitting political parties to appoint up to five observers for these audits. It modifies the structure of contest courts for public measures and state offices by increasing the number of judges involved and clarifying that judgments can be appealed to the supreme court. The roles of clerks in contest courts are updated, designating the clerk of the supreme court as the official clerk instead of the secretary of state, and establishing a timeline for the selection of judges for contest courts, requiring appointments by January 30 of each odd-numbered year. Overall, the bill aims to enhance the integrity and transparency of the electoral process in Iowa.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 50.48, 50.24, 47.1, 58.4, 58.5, 58.7, 60.1, 60.6, 61.1, 61.4, 61.12, 62.1A, 62.20, 62.19
Reprinted: 43.49, 43.56, 46.24, 50.21, 53.20, 47.2, 50.24, 50.48, 47.1, 50.50, 43.2, 58.7, 60.1, 60.2, 60.6, 61.1, 61.2, 61.4, 61.12, 62.1A, 62.20, 62.19, 260C.15
Enrolled: 43.49, 43.56, 46.24, 50.21, 53.20, 47.2, 50.24, 50.48, 47.1, 50.50, 43.2, 58.7, 60.1, 60.2, 60.6, 61.1, 61.2, 61.4, 61.12, 62.1A, 62.20, 62.19, 260C.15