HF 2366 – City Elections
FLOOR ACTION:
HF 2366 makes a number of changes to procedures in local elections. Highlights include:
• Allowing county auditors to store voter registration forms electronically, including the applicant’s signature.
• Moving the repository for filing local election paperwork from the city clerk to the county auditor, ensuring uniform election practices.
• Ensuring vacancies on city councils are filled by either appointment or by election in a timely fashion. An appointment must be made within 60 days after the vacancy occurs. The appointment lasts until the next regular city election, unless there is an intervening special election in that city. If there is a special election, the election for the office must be placed on the ballot. If the council fails to make an appointment within 60 days, the city clerk must give notice to the county auditor. The county auditor must call a special election to fill the vacancy at the earliest practical date, but no fewer than 32 days after the notice is received.
• Under current law, voter registration closes at 5 p.m. 10 days prior to a general or primary election, requiring county auditors to be open on a Saturday. The proposal closes voter registration one day earlier for the primary election, allowing the auditor’s office to be closed on Saturday. Since Iowa allows same-day registration, voters can register to vote at the polls.
• Reducing the number of envelopes required for an absentee ballot.
• Repealing Code section 53.14, which requires the printed affidavit to designate the voter’s party affiliation if the ballot enclosed is a primary election ballot. [3/31: 47-0 (Dix, Houser, McCoy excused)]