The bill amends various sections of the Iowa Code to improve the conduct of elections, focusing on election misconduct investigations, recount procedures, and the nomination process. It introduces a new definition of "election day" to encompass any day of in-person voting and requires law enforcement to notify the state commissioner of any election misconduct investigations, establishing specific notification protocols. Additionally, the bill sets new criteria for requesting recounts on public measures, particularly for those requiring a 60% affirmative vote, and streamlines the filing of nomination papers by shifting responsibilities from school board secretaries to county commissioners of elections.

Further changes include the removal of the authority for county commissioners to designate city clerks for receiving nomination papers, centralizing this responsibility with the county commissioner of elections. The bill also updates procedures for contesting nominations and elections, requiring statements of intent to be filed with the county commissioner. It mandates the cancellation of incomplete voter registrations after 90 days if the registrant cannot be contacted, adjusts recount thresholds, modifies the composition of recount boards, and emphasizes the security of election equipment. Overall, the bill aims to enhance the integrity, efficiency, and security of the electoral process in Iowa.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 39A.1, 53.10, 48A.37, 52.5, 53.23, 44.8, 44.7, 44.9, 277.3, 279.6, 277.4, 362.4