reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Iowa Code › Title II - ELECTIONS AND OFFICIAL DUTIES › Chapter 46 - NOMINATION AND ELECTION OF JUDGES › Section 46.10 - Nomination of elective judicial nominating commissioners.

46.10 Nomination of elective judicial nominating commissioners.
1. In order to have an eligible elector’s name printed on the ballot for state or district judicial nominating commissioner, the eligible elector must file in the office of the state court administrator at least thirty days prior to expiration of the period within which the election must be held a nominating petition signed by at least ten eligible electors of the congressional district in case of a candidate for state judicial nominating commissioner, or at least ten eligible electors of the judicial district in case of a candidate for district judicial nominating commissioner.
2. Ballots or electronic voting forms for state and district judicial nominating commissioners shall contain blank lines equal to the number of such commissioners to be elected, where names may be written in. Any electronic voting form must permit a voter to write in the name of any eligible elector.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §46.10]
2009 Acts, ch 179, §169, 171; 2019 Acts, ch 89, §55, 60
Referred to in §46.5
2023 Iowa Code › Title II - ELECTIONS AND OFFICIAL DUTIES › Chapter 46 - NOMINATION AND ELECTION OF JUDGES › Section 46.11 - Certification of commissioners.

46.11 Certification of commissioners.
Upon making an appointment, the governor shall promptly certify the names and addresses of judicial nominating commissioners to the state commissioner of elections. Upon the completion of an election, the state court administrator shall certify the names and addresses of the elected judicial nominating commissioners to the state commissioner of elections and the governor.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §46.11]
2009 Acts, ch 179, §170, 171; 2019 Acts, ch 89, §56, 60
2023 Iowa Code › Title II - ELECTIONS AND OFFICIAL DUTIES › Chapter 46 - NOMINATION AND ELECTION OF JUDGES › Section 46.12 - Notification of vacancy and resignation.

46.12 Notification of vacancy and resignation.
1. When a vacancy occurs or will occur within one hundred twenty days in the supreme court, the court of appeals, or district court, the state commissioner of elections shall forthwith so notify the governor. The governor shall call a meeting of the proper judicial nominating commission within ten days after such notice; if the governor fails to do so, the chief justice shall call such meeting.
2. When a judge of the supreme court, court of appeals, or district court resigns, the judge shall submit a copy of the resignation to the state commissioner of elections at the time the judge submits the resignation to the governor; and when a judge of the supreme court, court of appeals, or district court dies, the clerk of district court of the county of the judge’s residence shall in writing forthwith notify the state commissioner of elections of such fact.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §46.12]
89 Acts, ch 18, §1; 2003 Acts, ch 151, §1, 64; 2019 Acts, ch 89, §57, 60
Referred to in §602.2301, 602.8102(4)
2023 Iowa Code › Title II - ELECTIONS AND OFFICIAL DUTIES › Chapter 46 - NOMINATION AND ELECTION OF JUDGES › Section 46.13 - Notice of meetings and application process.

46.13 Notice of meetings and application process.
1. The governor or chairperson of each judicial nominating commission shall give the members of the commission at least five days’ written notice by mail or electronic mail of the time and place of every meeting, except as to members who execute written waivers of notice at or before the meeting or unless the commission at its next previous meeting designated the time and place of the meeting.
2. Each commission, with the technical support of the judicial branch, shall publish all of the following on the judicial branch internet site:
a. Notice that the commission is accepting applications for judge or justice along with a copy of the application form at least two weeks before applications are required to be submitted to the commission.
b. Copies of nonconfidential application materials submitted by applicants.
c. The schedule of applicant interviews before the commission.
d. The list of nominees submitted by the commission to the governor and the chief justice.
3. Commissioners shall be permitted to conduct individual interviews with applicants in advance of the commission’s meetings to choose the nominees.
4. The state judicial nominating commission shall adopt uniform rules for the state and district judicial nominating commissions that shall be consistent with this chapter and shall provide for a uniform and fair process for the commissions to consider applicants and select nominees. The state judicial nominating commission shall provide for a public comment period of at least thirty days on its proposed uniform rules prior to adopting the rules and shall adopt the rules on or before November 8, 2019. Such rules shall be made publicly available on the judicial branch internet site.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §46.13]
2019 Acts, ch 89, §58, 60
Referred to in §46.5
2023 Iowa Code › Title II - ELECTIONS AND OFFICIAL DUTIES › Chapter 46 - NOMINATION AND ELECTION OF JUDGES › Section 46.14 - Nomination.

46.14 Nomination.
1. Each judicial nominating commission shall carefully consider the individuals available for judge, and within sixty days after receiving notice of a vacancy shall certify to the governor and the chief justice the proper number of nominees, in alphabetical order. Such nominees shall be chosen by the affirmative vote of a majority of the full statutory number of commissioners upon the basis of their qualifications and without regard to political affiliation. Nominees shall be members of the bar of Iowa, shall be residents of the state or district of the court or a county contiguous with the district to which they are nominated, and shall be of such age that they will be able to serve an initial and one regular term of office to which they are nominated before reaching the age of seventy-two years. Absence of a commissioner or vacancy upon the commission shall not invalidate a nomination. The chairperson of the commission shall promptly certify the names of the nominees, in alphabetical order, to the governor and the chief justice by sending by electronic mail the certification to the governor and chief justice or the governor’s and chief justice’s designees on the day of the nomination.
2. A commissioner shall not be eligible for nomination by the commission during the term for which the commissioner was elected or appointed to that commission. A commissioner shall not be eligible to vote for the nomination of a family member, current law partner, or current business partner. For purposes of this subsection, “family member” means a spouse, son, daughter, brother, sister, uncle, aunt, first cousin, nephew, niece, father-in-law, mother-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, father, mother, stepfather, stepmother, stepson, stepdaughter, stepbrother, stepsister, half brother, or half sister.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §46.14]
89 Acts, ch 212, §1; 2003 Acts, ch 151, §2; 2022 Acts, ch 1033, §1
Vacancies in courts and number of nominees, Iowa Constitution, Art. V, §15
Subsection 1 amended
2023 Iowa Code › Title II - ELECTIONS AND OFFICIAL DUTIES › Chapter 46 - NOMINATION AND ELECTION OF JUDGES › Section 46.14A - Court of appeals — nominees.

46.14A Court of appeals — nominees.
Vacancies in the court of appeals shall be filled by appointment by the governor from a list of nominees submitted by the state judicial nominating commission. Five nominees shall be submitted for each vacancy. Nominees to the court of appeals shall have the qualifications prescribed for nominees to the supreme court.
2007 Acts, ch 86, §1; 2022 Acts, ch 1033, §2
Section amended
2023 Iowa Code › Title II - ELECTIONS AND OFFICIAL DUTIES › Chapter 46 - NOMINATION AND ELECTION OF JUDGES › Section 46.15 - Appointments to be from nominees.

46.15 Appointments to be from nominees.
1. All appointments to the supreme court and court of appeals shall be made from the nominees of the state judicial nominating commission, and all appointments to the district court shall be made from the nominees of the district judicial nominating commission.
2. If the governor fails to make an appointment within thirty days after a list of nominees has been submitted, the appointment shall be made from the list of nominees by the chief justice of the supreme court.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §46.15]
83 Acts, ch 186, §10021, 10201; 2007 Acts, ch 86, §2
Vacancies in courts and number of nominees, Iowa Constitution, Art. V, §15
2023 Iowa Code › Title II - ELECTIONS AND OFFICIAL DUTIES › Chapter 46 - NOMINATION AND ELECTION OF JUDGES › Section 46.15A - Severability and judicial review.

46.15A Severability and judicial review.
1. If any provision or clause of this chapter or any application of this chapter to any person or circumstances is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions, clauses, or applications of this chapter which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions and clauses of this chapter are declared to be severable.
2. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, if any provision of this chapter is preliminarily enjoined, no judicial nominating commission shall meet to nominate persons to serve as a judge or justice while the preliminary injunction is in effect or while any appeal of the preliminary injunction or a related permanent injunction is pending unless the injunction is subsequently stayed or otherwise lifted.
2019 Acts, ch 89, §59, 60
2023 Iowa Code › Title II - ELECTIONS AND OFFICIAL DUTIES › Chapter 46 - NOMINATION AND ELECTION OF JUDGES › Section 46.16 - Terms of judges.

46.16 Terms of judges.
1. Subject to sections 602.1610 and 602.1612 and to removal for cause:
a. The initial term of office of judges of the supreme court, court of appeals, and district court shall be for one year after appointment and until January 1 following the next judicial election after expiration of such year; and
b. The regular term of office of judges of the supreme court retained at a judicial election shall be eight years, and of judges of the court of appeals and district court so retained shall be six years, from the expiration of their initial or previous regular term as the case may be.
2. Subject to removal for cause, the initial term of office of a district associate judge shall be for one year after appointment and until January 1 following the next judicial election after expiration of such year, and the regular term of office of a district associate judge retained at a judicial election shall be six years from the expiration of the initial or previous regular term, as the case may be.
3. Subject to removal for cause, the initial term of office of a full-time associate juvenile judge or a full-time associate probate judge shall be for one year after appointment and until January 1 following the next judicial election after expiration of such year, and the regular term of office of a full-time associate juvenile judge or a full-time associate probate judge retained at a judicial election shall be six years from the expiration of the initial or previous regular term, as the case may be.
[C66, 71, §46.16; C73, 75, 77, 79, §46.16, 602.29; C81, §46.16]
83 Acts, ch 186, §10022, 10201; 99 Acts, ch 93, §1, 15; 2003 Acts, ch 151, §3, 65; 2008 Acts, ch 1031, §22
Referred to in §602.6305, 602.7103C, 633.20C
2023 Iowa Code › Title II - ELECTIONS AND OFFICIAL DUTIES › Chapter 46 - NOMINATION AND ELECTION OF JUDGES › Section 46.17 - Time of judicial election.

46.17 Time of judicial election.
Judicial elections shall be held at the time of the general election.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §46.17]
Referred to in §602.1216, 602.6305, 602.7103C, 633.20C
2023 Iowa Code › Title II - ELECTIONS AND OFFICIAL DUTIES › Chapter 46 - NOMINATION AND ELECTION OF JUDGES › Section 46.18 - Eligibility of voters.

46.18 Eligibility of voters.
Electors entitled to vote at the general election shall be entitled to vote at the judicial election. All voting procedures provided by chapter 53 for absent voting by armed forces in general elections shall be applicable to judicial elections.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §46.18]
Referred to in §602.1216, 602.6305, 602.7103C, 633.20C
2023 Iowa Code › Title II - ELECTIONS AND OFFICIAL DUTIES › Chapter 46 - NOMINATION AND ELECTION OF JUDGES › Section 46.19 - Election registers.

46.19 Election registers.
The election registers used for the general election shall also constitute the election registers for the judicial election.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §46.19]
Referred to in §602.1216, 602.6305, 602.7103C, 633.20C
2023 Iowa Code › Title II - ELECTIONS AND OFFICIAL DUTIES › Chapter 46 - NOMINATION AND ELECTION OF JUDGES › Section 46.20 - Declaration of candidacy.

46.20 Declaration of candidacy.
At least one hundred four days before the judicial election preceding expiration of the initial or regular term of office, a judge of the supreme court, court of appeals, or district court including district associate judges, full-time associate juvenile judges, or full-time associate probate judges, or a clerk of the district court who is required to stand for retention under section 602.1216 may file a declaration of candidacy with the state commissioner of elections to stand for retention or rejection at that election. If a judge or clerk fails to file the declaration, the office shall be vacant at the end of the term. District associate judges, full-time associate juvenile judges, and full-time associate probate judges filing the declaration shall stand for retention in the judicial election district of their residence.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §46.20]
83 Acts, ch 186, §10023, 10201; 89 Acts, ch 136, §29; 99 Acts, ch 93, §2
Referred to in §602.1216, 602.6305, 602.7103C, 633.20C
2023 Iowa Code › Title II - ELECTIONS AND OFFICIAL DUTIES › Chapter 46 - NOMINATION AND ELECTION OF JUDGES › Section 46.21 - Conduct of elections.

46.21 Conduct of elections.
At least sixty-four days before each judicial election, the state commissioner of elections shall certify to the county commissioner of elections of each county a list of the judges of the supreme court, court of appeals, and district court including district associate judges, full-time associate juvenile judges, and full-time associate probate judges, and clerks of the district court to be voted on in each county at that election. The county commissioner of elections shall place the names upon the ballot in the order in which they appear in the certificate. The state commissioner of elections shall rotate the names in the certificate by county. The names of all judges and clerks to be voted on shall be placed upon one ballot, which shall be in substantially the following form:
STATE OF IOWA
JUDICIAL BALLOT
(Date)
VOTE ON ALL NAMES BY PLACING AN X IN THE APPROPRIATE BOX AFTER EACH NAME.
SUPREME COURT
Shall the following judges of the supreme court be retained in office?
CANDIDATE’S NAME YES ☐ NO ☐
CANDIDATE’S NAME YES ☐ NO ☐
COURT OF APPEALS
Shall the following judges of the court of appeals be retained in office?
CANDIDATE’S NAME YES ☐ NO ☐
CANDIDATE’S NAME YES ☐ NO ☐
DISTRICT COURT
Shall the following judge, associate judge, associate juvenile judge, or associate probate judge of the district court be retained in office?
CANDIDATE’S NAME YES ☐ NO ☐
Shall the following clerk of the district court be retained in office?
CANDIDATE’S NAME YES ☐ NO ☐
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §46.21]
83 Acts, ch 186, §10024, 10201; 89 Acts, ch 136, §30; 99 Acts, ch 93, §3; 2004 Acts, ch 1083, §2, 37; 2017 Acts, ch 110, §74
Referred to in §602.1216, 602.6305, 602.7103C, 633.20C
Voting mark generally, see §49.92
2023 Iowa Code › Title II - ELECTIONS AND OFFICIAL DUTIES › Chapter 46 - NOMINATION AND ELECTION OF JUDGES › Section 46.22 - Voting.

46.22 Voting.
Voting at judicial elections shall be by separate paper ballot or optical scan ballot in the space provided for public measures. If separate paper ballots are used, the election judges shall offer a ballot to each voter. If optical scan ballots are used, either a separate ballot or a distinct heading may be used to distinguish the judicial ballot. Separate ballot boxes for the general election ballots and the judicial election ballots are not required. The general election ballot and the judicial election ballot may be voted in the same voting booth.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §46.22]
90 Acts, ch 1238, §10; 2007 Acts, ch 190, §18; 2009 Acts, ch 57, §11
Referred to in §602.1216, 602.6305, 602.7103C, 633.20C
2023 Iowa Code › Title II - ELECTIONS AND OFFICIAL DUTIES › Chapter 46 - NOMINATION AND ELECTION OF JUDGES › Section 46.23 - General election and absent voter laws.

46.23 General election and absent voter laws.
So far as applicable, general election and absent voter laws shall apply to judicial elections. An application for an absent voter ballot for a general election shall also constitute an application for an absent voter ballot for a judicial election to be held at the same time, and the ballots shall be mailed or delivered to the voter together. The sealed envelope transmitted by the absent voter to the county commissioner of elections containing the absent voter general election ballot may also contain the judicial election ballot.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §46.23]
Referred to in §602.1216, 602.6305, 602.7103C, 633.20C
2023 Iowa Code › Title II - ELECTIONS AND OFFICIAL DUTIES › Chapter 46 - NOMINATION AND ELECTION OF JUDGES › Section 46.24 - Results of election.

46.24 Results of election.
1. A judge of the supreme court, court of appeals, or district court including a district associate judge, full-time associate juvenile judge, or full-time associate probate judge, or a clerk of the district court must receive more affirmative than negative votes to be retained in office. When the poll is closed, the election judges shall publicly canvass the vote forthwith. The board of supervisors shall canvass the returns on the Monday or Tuesday after the election, and shall promptly certify the number of affirmative and negative votes on each judge or clerk to the state commissioner of elections.
2. The state board of canvassers shall, at the time of canvassing the vote cast at a general election, open and canvass all of the returns for the judicial election. Each judge of the supreme court, court of appeals, or district court including a district associate judge, full-time associate juvenile judge, or full-time associate probate judge, or a clerk of the district court who has received more affirmative than negative votes shall receive from the state board of canvassers an appropriate certificate so stating.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §46.24]
83 Acts, ch 186, §10025, 10201; 90 Acts, ch 1238, §11; 99 Acts, ch 93, §4; 2000 Acts, ch 1154, §8
Referred to in §331.383, 602.1216, 602.6305, 602.7103C, 633.20C
2023 Iowa Code › Title II - ELECTIONS AND OFFICIAL DUTIES › Chapter 46 - NOMINATION AND ELECTION OF JUDGES › Section 46.25 - Eligible elector defined.

46.25 Eligible elector defined.
As used in this chapter, the term “eligible elector” has the meaning assigned that term by section 39.3.
[C75, 77, 79, 81, §46.25]
2023 Iowa Code › Title II - ELECTIONS AND OFFICIAL DUTIES › Chapter 47 - ELECTION COMMISSIONERS › Section 47.3 - Election expenses.

47.3 Election expenses.
1. The costs of conducting a special election called by the governor, the general election, and the primary election held prior to the general election shall be paid by the county.
2. The cost of conducting other elections shall be paid by the political subdivision for which the election is held. The costs shall include but not be limited to the printing of the ballots and the election register, publication of notices, printing of declaration of eligibility affidavits, compensation for precinct election boards, canvass materials, and the preparation and installation of voting equipment. The county commissioner of elections shall certify to the county board of supervisors a statement of cost for an election. The cost shall be assessed by the county board of supervisors against the political subdivision for which the election was held.
3. a. Costs of registration and administrative and clerical costs shall not be charged as a part of the election costs.
b. If automatic tabulating equipment is used in any election, the county commissioner of elections shall not charge any political subdivision of the state a rental fee for the use of any automatic tabulating equipment.
4. The cost of maintenance of voter registration records and of preparation of election registers and any other voter registration lists required by the commissioner in the discharge of the duties of that office shall be paid by the county. Administrative and clerical costs incurred by the registrar in discharging the duties of that office shall be paid by the state.
[C97, §1129; S13, §1129, 2754; SS15, §1087-a5; C24, §560, 835, 4203; C27, §560, 718-b18, 4203; C31, 35, §560, 718-b18, 4216-c15; C39, §560, 718.18, 4216.15; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, §43.32, 48.18, 49.118, 277.15; C73, §43.32, 47.3, 277.15; C75, 77, 79, 81, §47.3]
2009 Acts, ch 57, §12; 2022 Acts, ch 1032, §15
Referred to in §275.26, 331.383
Compensation of precinct election board members, see §49.20
Subsection 1 amended
2023 Iowa Code › Title II - ELECTIONS AND OFFICIAL DUTIES › Chapter 47 - ELECTION COMMISSIONERS › Section 47.4 - Election filing deadlines.

47.4 Election filing deadlines.
If the deadline for a filing pertaining to an election falls on a day that the state or county commissioner’s office is closed for business, the deadline shall be extended to the next day that the office of state commissioner or county commissioner is open for business to receive the filing. This section does not apply to the deadline for voter registration under section 48A.9, subsection 2.
97 Acts, ch 170, §10
2023 Iowa Code › Title II - ELECTIONS AND OFFICIAL DUTIES › Chapter 47 - ELECTION COMMISSIONERS › Section 47.10 - Optical scan voting system fund.

47.10 Optical scan voting system fund.
An optical scan voting system fund is established in the office of the treasurer of state under the control of the secretary of state. Moneys in the fund are appropriated to the office of the secretary of state for purchase and distribution of optical scan voting system equipment to counties to assist county compliance with section 52.2. The secretary of state, in consultation with the department of administrative services, shall establish a procedure for purchasing and distributing the equipment.
2008 Acts, ch 1176, §1, 10; 2011 Acts, ch 34, §168
2023 Iowa Code › Title II - ELECTIONS AND OFFICIAL DUTIES › Chapter 47 - ELECTION COMMISSIONERS › Section 47.11 - Electronic poll book and polling place technology program — revolving loan fund.

47.11 Electronic poll book and polling place technology program — revolving loan fund.
1. An electronic poll book and polling place technology program is created and an electronic poll book and polling place technology revolving loan fund is created in the state treasury under the control of the state commissioner. The program and revolving loan fund shall be administered by the state commissioner and the revolving loan fund shall include moneys allocated from the state commissioner’s budget and any other moneys obtained or accepted by the state commissioner for deposit in the revolving loan fund.
2. a. The state commissioner may loan moneys in the revolving loan fund to county commissioners for the purchase or update of electronic poll book and polling place technology.
b. Moneys loaned under this subsection shall be used, in accordance with section 49.28, to furnish electronic poll books to election precincts for the purpose of modernizing polling places throughout the state.
c. The state commissioner may spend an amount not to exceed thirty percent of the moneys in the revolving loan fund at the beginning of a fiscal year to administer polling place technology to ensure compliance with state standards of technological security and the protection of personally identifiable information.
3. A loan made under this section shall bear no interest.
4. Notwithstanding section 12C.7, subsection 2, interest or earnings on moneys in the revolving loan fund shall be credited to the revolving loan fund. Notwithstanding section 8.33, moneys in the revolving loan fund that remain unencumbered or unobligated at the close of a fiscal year shall not revert to any other fund but shall remain available in the revolving loan fund for the purposes designated.
5. The state commissioner shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A to administer this section.
2017 Acts, ch 110, §37
2023 Iowa Code › Title II - ELECTIONS AND OFFICIAL DUTIES › Chapter 48A - VOTER REGISTRATION › Section 48A.1 - Statement of intent.

48A.1 Statement of intent.
It is the intent of the general assembly to facilitate the registration of eligible residents of this state through the widespread availability of voter registration services. This chapter and other statutes relating to voter registration are to be liberally construed toward this end.
94 Acts, ch 1169, §1
2023 Iowa Code › Title II - ELECTIONS AND OFFICIAL DUTIES › Chapter 48A - VOTER REGISTRATION › Section 48A.2 - Definitions.

48A.2 Definitions.
The definitions established by this section and section 39.3 shall apply wherever the terms so defined appear in this chapter, unless the context in which any such term is used clearly requires otherwise.
1. “Commissioner of registration” means the county commissioner of elections as defined in section 47.2.
2. “Document” means, for purposes of satisfying proof of residence under this chapter, information that is inscribed on a tangible medium or that is stored in an electronic record and is retrievable in perceivable form.
3. “Homeless person” means a person who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence and who has a primary nighttime residence that is one of the following:
a. A supervised publicly or privately operated shelter designed to provide temporary living accommodations.
b. An institution that provides a temporary residence for persons intended to be institutionalized.
c. A public or private place not designed for, or ordinarily used as, a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings.
4. “Person who is incompetent to vote” means a person with an intellectual disability who has been found to lack the mental capacity to vote in a proceeding held pursuant to section 633.552.
5. “Voter registration agency” means an agency designated to conduct voter registration under section 48A.19. Offices of the office of driver services of the state department of transportation are not voter registration agencies.
6. “Voter identification card” means a card issued pursuant to section 48A.10A.
7. “Voter registration form” means an application to register to vote which must be completed by or on behalf of any person registering to vote. The voter registration form may also be used to make changes to an existing voter registration record.
8. “Voter registration list” means a compilation of voter registration records produced, upon request, from the electronic voter registration file or by viewing, upon request, the original, completed voter registration applications and forms.
94 Acts, ch 1169, §2; 96 Acts, ch 1129, §14; 98 Acts, ch 1185, §1; 2002 Acts, ch 1134, §17, 115; 2007 Acts, ch 59, §39, 43; 2009 Acts, ch 57, §14; 2012 Acts, ch 1019, §5; 2013 Acts, ch 130, §16, 35; 2017 Acts, ch 110, §12, 35, 36; 2018 Acts, ch 1149, §4, 12; 2019 Acts, ch 57, §1, 43, 44
Referred to in §321.1, 331.394, 602.8102(15)
2023 Iowa Code › Title II - ELECTIONS AND OFFICIAL DUTIES › Chapter 48A - VOTER REGISTRATION › Section 48A.3 - Commissioner of registration.

48A.3 Commissioner of registration.
The county commissioner of elections is designated the commissioner of registration for the county, and may appoint deputies and assistants, subject to the approval of the county board of supervisors, necessary to carry out the commissioner’s responsibilities under this chapter and under rules of the state voter registration commission and the state registrar of voters.
94 Acts, ch 1169, §3
2023 Iowa Code › Title II - ELECTIONS AND OFFICIAL DUTIES › Chapter 48A - VOTER REGISTRATION › Section 48A.4 - Qualification of officers.

48A.4 Qualification of officers.
Before undertaking any voter registration duties, each voter registration officer, deputy, or assistant in whatever capacity, or clerk in the office of commissioner shall take an oath in the form prescribed by the state commissioner of elections.
94 Acts, ch 1169, §4
2023 Iowa Code › Title II - ELECTIONS AND OFFICIAL DUTIES › Chapter 48A - VOTER REGISTRATION › Section 48A.5A - Determination of residence.

48A.5A Determination of residence.
Residence shall be determined in accordance with the following principles:
1. The residence of a person is in the precinct where the person’s home or dwelling is located.
2. A residence for purposes of this chapter cannot be established in a commercial or industrial building that is not normally used for residential purposes unless the building is used as a primary nighttime residence.
3. A person does not lose residence if the person leaves the person’s home to reside temporarily in another state or precinct.
4. If a person goes to another state or precinct and files an affidavit of residence in that state or precinct for election purposes, the person loses residence in the former state or precinct, unless the person moved to the other state after that state’s deadline for registering to vote in a particular election.
5. A student who resides at or near the school the student attends, but who is also able to claim a residence at another location under the provisions of this section, may choose either location as the student’s residence for voter registration and voting purposes.
6. If an active member of the United States armed forces, as defined by section 53.37, has previously resided at a location that meets the requirements of this section, that person may claim either that previous residence or the person’s current residence as the person’s residence for voter registration and voting purposes.
7. Notwithstanding subsections 1 through 6, the residence of a homeless person is in the precinct where the homeless person usually sleeps. Residence requirements shall be construed liberally to provide homeless persons with the opportunity to register to vote and to vote.
8. A person’s declaration of residency for voter registration and voting purposes is presumed to be valid unless a preponderance of evidence indicates that another location should be considered the person’s voting residence under the provisions of this chapter.
94 Acts, ch 1169, §6
2023 Iowa Code › Title II - ELECTIONS AND OFFICIAL DUTIES › Chapter 48A - VOTER REGISTRATION › Section 48A.6 - Disqualified persons.

48A.6 Disqualified persons.
The following persons are disqualified from registering to vote and from voting:
1. A person who has been convicted of a felony as defined in section 701.7, or convicted of an offense classified as a felony under federal law. If the person’s rights are later restored by the governor, or by the president of the United States, the person may register to vote.
2. A person who is incompetent to vote. Certification by the clerk of the district court that any such person has been found no longer incompetent by a court shall qualify such person to again be an elector, subject to the other provisions of this chapter.
94 Acts, ch 1169, §7; 98 Acts, ch 1185, §2; 2002 Acts, ch 1134, §18, 115
Referred to in §53.37
Iowa Constitution, Art. II, §5
Proceedings regarding competency to vote, see §229.27, 633.552
Restoration of rights by governor, see chapter 914
2023 Iowa Code › Title II - ELECTIONS AND OFFICIAL DUTIES › Chapter 48A - VOTER REGISTRATION › Section 48A.7 - Registration in person.

48A.7 Registration in person.
An eligible elector may register to vote by appearing personally and completing a voter registration form at the office of the commissioner in the county in which the person resides, at a motor vehicle driver’s license station, including any county treasurer’s office that is participating in county issuance of driver’s licenses under chapter 321M, or at any voter registration agency. A separate registration form shall be signed by each individual registrant.
94 Acts, ch 1169, §8; 98 Acts, ch 1073, §12; 98 Acts, ch 1143, §12, 26
2023 Iowa Code › Title II - ELECTIONS AND OFFICIAL DUTIES › Chapter 48A - VOTER REGISTRATION › Section 48A.8 - Registration by mail.

48A.8 Registration by mail.
1. An eligible elector may request that a voter registration form be mailed to the elector. The completed form may be mailed or delivered by the registrant or the registrant’s designee to the commissioner in the county where the person resides or to the state commissioner of elections for a program participant, as provided in section 9E.6. A separate voter registration form shall be signed by each individual registrant.
2. An eligible elector who registers by mail and who has not previously voted in an election for federal office in the county of registration shall be required to provide identification documents when voting for the first time in the county, unless the registrant provided on the registration form the registrant’s Iowa driver’s license number, or the registrant’s Iowa nonoperator’s identification card number, or the last four numerals of the registrant’s social security number and the driver’s license, nonoperator’s identification, or partial social security number matches an existing state or federal identification record with the same number, name, and date of birth. If the registrant under this subsection votes in person at the polls, or by absentee ballot at the commissioner’s office or at a satellite voting station, the registrant shall provide a current and valid photo identification card and shall present, as proof of residence, to the appropriate election official one of the following current documents that shows the name and address of the registrant:
a. Residential lease.
b. Property tax statement.
c. Utility bill.
d. Bank statement.
e. Paycheck.
f. Government check.
g. Other government document.
3. If the registrant under subsection 2 votes an absentee ballot by mail, the registrant shall provide a photocopy of one of the documents listed in subsection 2 when returning the absentee ballot.
4. A registrant under subsection 2 who is required to present identification when casting a ballot in person shall be permitted to vote a provisional ballot if the voter does not provide the required identification documents. If a voter who is required to present identification when casting a ballot votes an absentee ballot by mail, the ballot returned by the voter shall be considered a provisional ballot pursuant to sections 49.81 and 53.31.
94 Acts, ch 1169, §9; 2004 Acts, ch 1083, §6, 37; 2009 Acts, ch 57, §15; 2015 Acts, ch 96, §9, 17; 2017 Acts, ch 110, §17, 35, 36
Referred to in §9E.6, 48A.25A, 48A.37, 49.77, 49.81, 53.38
2023 Iowa Code › Title II - ELECTIONS AND OFFICIAL DUTIES › Chapter 48A - VOTER REGISTRATION › Section 48A.9 - Voter registration deadlines.

48A.9 Voter registration deadlines.
1. Registration closes at 5:00 p.m. fifteen days before each election. An eligible elector may register during the time registration is closed in the elector’s precinct but the registration shall not become effective until registration opens again in the elector’s precinct, except as otherwise provided in section 48A.7A.
2. The commissioner’s office shall be open from 8:00 a.m. until at least 5:00 p.m. on the day registration closes before each regularly scheduled election. However, if the last day to register to vote for a regularly scheduled election falls on the day after Thanksgiving, the deadline shall be the following Monday.
3. A registration form submitted by mail shall be considered on time if it is postmarked no later than the fifteenth day before the election, even if it is received by the commissioner after the deadline, or if the registration form is received by the commissioner no later than 5:00 p.m. on the last day to register to vote for an election, even if it is postmarked after the fifteenth day before the election.
4. Registration forms submitted to voter registration agencies, to motor vehicle driver’s license stations, and to county treasurer’s offices participating in county issuance of driver’s licenses under chapter 321M shall be considered on time if they are received no later than 11:59 p.m. on the day registration closes for that election. Offices or agencies other than the county commissioner’s office are not required to be open for voter registration purposes at times other than their usual office hours.
94 Acts, ch 1169, §10; 98 Acts, ch 1073, §12; 98 Acts, ch 1143, §13, 26; 2002 Acts, ch 1134, §19, 115; 2007 Acts, ch 35, §3, 7; 2014 Acts, ch 1101, §12, 32; 2019 Acts, ch 148, §24, 33; 2021 Acts, ch 12, §22, 73
Referred to in §47.4, 48A.7A, 48A.24, 48A.26, 53.2
2023 Iowa Code › Title II - ELECTIONS AND OFFICIAL DUTIES › Chapter 48A - VOTER REGISTRATION › Section 48A.10 - Registration required.

48A.10 Registration required.
If a registered voter moves to a different county, the person shall submit a completed voter registration form to the commissioner in order to be qualified to vote in that county. An otherwise eligible elector whose right to vote has been restored pursuant to chapter 914 or who has been found not to be a person who is incompetent to vote may register to vote.
94 Acts, ch 1169, §11; 98 Acts, ch 1185, §3; 2002 Acts, ch 1134, §20, 115
2023 Iowa Code › Title II - ELECTIONS AND OFFICIAL DUTIES › Chapter 48A - VOTER REGISTRATION › Section 48A.10A - Voter identification cards — verification of voter registration information.

48A.10A Voter identification cards — verification of voter registration information.
1. The state registrar shall compare lists of persons who are registered to vote with the department of transportation’s driver’s license and nonoperator’s identification card files and shall, on an initial basis, issue a voter identification card to each active, registered voter whose name does not appear in the department of transportation’s files. The voter identification card shall include the name of the registered voter, a signature line above which the registered voter shall sign the voter identification card, the registered voter’s identification number assigned to the voter pursuant to section 47.7, subsection 2, an additional four-digit personal identification number assigned by the state commissioner, and the times during which polling places will be open on election days.
2. The commissioner shall issue voter identification cards on an ongoing basis as prescribed by the state registrar. The commissioner shall, as a part of the voter acknowledgment process required under sections 48A.26 and 48A.26A, issue a voter identification card to a registered voter under this subsection at the time of registration or update to registration if the registered voter’s name does not appear in the department of transportation’s driver’s license or nonoperator’s identification card files. A registered voter whose name appears in the department of transportation’s driver’s license or nonoperator’s identification card files shall not be issued a voter identification card pursuant to this section.
3. A person issued a voter identification card under this section shall not be charged any fee for the issuance or delivery of the voter identification card.
4. Implementation of this section shall be contingent upon appropriations by the general assembly in sufficient amounts to meet the requirements of this section.
5. The state registrar shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A to implement this section.
2017 Acts, ch 110, §18, 35, 36; 2021 Acts, ch 12, §23, 73
Referred to in §22.7(73), 48A.2, 49.78
2023 Iowa Code › Title II - ELECTIONS AND OFFICIAL DUTIES › Chapter 48A - VOTER REGISTRATION › Section 48A.12 - Federal mail voter registration form.

48A.12 Federal mail voter registration form.
1. The mail voter registration form prescribed by the federal election assistance commission shall be accepted for voter registration in Iowa if all required information is provided, if it is signed by the registrant, and if the form is timely received.
2. The state commissioner of elections shall make the federal mail voter registration forms available for distribution to governmental and private entities, with particular emphasis on making them available to organized voter registration entities and programs.
94 Acts, ch 1169, §13; 2008 Acts, ch 1115, §78
2023 Iowa Code › Title II - ELECTIONS AND OFFICIAL DUTIES › Chapter 48A - VOTER REGISTRATION › Section 48A.13 - Electronic signatures on voter registration records.

48A.13 Electronic signatures on voter registration records.
Electronic signatures shall be accepted. However, before the use of electronic signatures is accepted on voter registration forms, the state voter registration commission shall prescribe by rule the technological requirements for guaranteeing the security and integrity of electronic signatures.
94 Acts, ch 1169, §14
2023 Iowa Code › Title II - ELECTIONS AND OFFICIAL DUTIES › Chapter 48A - VOTER REGISTRATION › Section 48A.14 - Challenges of voter registrations.

48A.14 Challenges of voter registrations.
1. The registration of a registered voter may be challenged by another registered voter of the same county subject to the conditions and limitations of this section. A challenge shall be a statement in writing to the commissioner alleging one or more of the following reasons the challenged registrant’s registration should not have been accepted or should be canceled:
a. The challenged registrant is not a citizen of the United States.
b. The challenged registrant is less than seventeen years of age.
c. The challenged registrant is not a resident at the address where the registrant is registered.
d. The challenged registrant has falsified information on the registrant’s registration form.
e. The challenged registrant has been convicted of a felony, and the registrant’s voting rights have not been restored.
f. The challenged registrant has been adjudged by a court of law to be a person who is incompetent to vote and no subsequent proceeding has reversed that finding.
2. A challenge shall not contain allegations against more than one registered voter.
3. A challenge shall contain a statement signed by the challenger in substantially the following form:
I am a registered voter in (name of county) County, Iowa. I swear or affirm that information contained on this challenge is true. I understand that knowingly filing a challenge containing false information is an aggravated misdemeanor.
4. A challenge may be filed at any time. A challenge filed less than seventy days before a regularly scheduled election shall not be processed until after the pending election unless the challenge is filed within twenty days of the commissioner’s receipt of the challenged registrant’s registration form or notice of change to an existing registration. A challenge filed against a person registering to vote pursuant to section 48A.7A is considered a challenge to a person offering to vote and must be filed under section 49.79.
5. A challenger may withdraw a challenge at any time before the hearing held pursuant to section 48A.16 by notifying the commissioner in writing of the withdrawal.
94 Acts, ch 1169, §15; 95 Acts, ch 67, §7; 98 Acts, ch 1185, §4; 2002 Acts, ch 1134, §22, 115; 2008 Acts, ch 1115, §85; 2017 Acts, ch 110, §57, 64
Referred to in §9E.6, 39A.3, 48A.15
2023 Iowa Code › Title II - ELECTIONS AND OFFICIAL DUTIES › Chapter 48A - VOTER REGISTRATION › Section 48A.15 - Commissioner’s action upon receipt of challenge or withdrawal.

48A.15 Commissioner’s action upon receipt of challenge or withdrawal.
1. A challenge is valid if it meets the criteria in section 48A.14, subsections 1, 2, and 3.
2. Upon receipt of a challenge which is not valid, the commissioner shall notify the challenger of the reason the challenge is not valid, and shall take no further action regarding the challenge.
3. Upon receipt of a valid challenge, the commissioner shall, within five working days, notify the challenged registrant and the challenger of the date, time, and place of a hearing on the matter of the challenge, to be held not less than twenty nor more than thirty days from the commissioner’s receipt of the challenge. The notice of a hearing shall include a copy of the challenge, and shall advise the challenged registrant that the registrant may personally appear at the hearing, or may submit to the commissioner before the hearing evidence, documentation, or statements refuting the challenge.
4. The notice prescribed by subsection 3 shall be sent by first class forwardable mail to the challenged registrant at the registrant’s most recent mailing address according to the registration records.
5. If the challenge is withdrawn, the commissioner shall immediately notify the challenged registrant of the withdrawal, and shall cancel the scheduled hearing.
6. If the challenged registrant notifies the commissioner that the challenged registrant wishes to appear in person but is unable to do so on the date scheduled, the commissioner may reschedule the hearing.
94 Acts, ch 1169, §16
2023 Iowa Code › Title II - ELECTIONS AND OFFICIAL DUTIES › Chapter 48A - VOTER REGISTRATION › Section 48A.16 - Hearing on challenge — appeal.

48A.16 Hearing on challenge — appeal.
1. At the time and place fixed for the hearing, the commissioner shall accept evidence on the challenge from the challenger and the challenged registrant, or from any person appearing on behalf of either, and review any documents or statements pertaining to the challenge received before the hearing. On the basis of the evidence submitted, the commissioner shall either reject the challenge or cancel the registration of the challenged registrant. Either the challenged registrant or the challenger may appeal the commissioner’s decision to the district court in the commissioner’s county, and the decision of the court shall be final.
2. If a challenged registrant does not personally appear at the hearing and the challenged registrant’s registration is canceled, the commissioner shall immediately notify the challenged registrant of the cancellation by first class forwardable mail sent to the challenged registrant’s most recent mailing address according to the registration records.
94 Acts, ch 1169, §17
Referred to in §48A.14
2023 Iowa Code › Title II - ELECTIONS AND OFFICIAL DUTIES › Chapter 48A - VOTER REGISTRATION › Section 48A.17 - Registration at commissioner’s office.

48A.17 Registration at commissioner’s office.
A person who meets the qualifications to vote may appear in person at the office of the county commissioner of registration and apply to register to vote.
94 Acts, ch 1169, §18
Referred to in §53.17