reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Iowa Code › Title II - ELECTIONS AND OFFICIAL DUTIES › Chapter 49 - METHOD OF CONDUCTING ELECTIONS › Section 49.25 - Equipment required at polling places.

49.25 Equipment required at polling places.
1. The commissioner shall determine pursuant to section 49.26, subsection 2, in advance of an election whether ballots voted in that election shall be counted by automatic tabulating equipment or by precinct election officials. If automatic tabulating equipment will be used, the commissioner shall furnish voting equipment for use by voters with disabilities.
2. The commissioner shall furnish to each precinct, in advance of each election, voting booths in the following number:
a. At each regularly scheduled election, at least one for every three hundred fifty voters who voted in the last preceding similar election held in the precinct.
b. At any special election at which the ballot contains only a single public measure or only candidates for a single office or position, the number determined by the commissioner.
3. The commissioner shall furnish to each precinct the necessary ballot boxes, suitably equipped with seals or locks and keys, and voting booths. The voting booths shall provide for voting in secrecy. At least one voting booth in each precinct shall be accessible to persons with disabilities. Ballot boxes shall be locked or sealed before the polls open and shall remain locked or sealed until the polls are closed, except to provide necessary service to malfunctioning automatic tabulating equipment. If a ballot box is opened prior to the closing of the polls, two precinct election officials not of the same party shall be present and observe the ballot box being opened.
4. Secrecy folders or sleeves shall be provided for use at any precinct where ballots are used which cannot be folded to obscure the marks made by the voters.
[C51, §254; R60, §489; C73, §614; C97, §1113, 1130, 2756; S13, §1130, 2756; C24, 27, §743, 744, 4209; C31, 35, §743, 744, 4216-c14; C39, §743, 744, 4216.14; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, §49.25, 49.26, 277.14; C75, 77, 79, 81, §49.25]
90 Acts, ch 1007, §1; 96 Acts, ch 1129, §113; 97 Acts, ch 170, §26, 27; 2007 Acts, ch 190, §19; 2008 Acts, ch 1115, §93; 2009 Acts, ch 57, §23; 2010 Acts, ch 1060, §5
2023 Iowa Code › Title II - ELECTIONS AND OFFICIAL DUTIES › Chapter 49 - METHOD OF CONDUCTING ELECTIONS › Section 49.26 - Commissioner to decide method of voting — counting of ballots.

49.26 Commissioner to decide method of voting — counting of ballots.
1. In all elections regulated by this chapter, the voting shall be by paper ballots printed and distributed as provided by law, or by voting systems meeting the requirements of chapter 52.
2. a. The commissioner shall determine in advance of each election conducted for a city of three thousand five hundred or less population or for any school district whether the ballots will be counted by automatic tabulating equipment or by the precinct election officials. In making such a determination, the commissioner shall consider voter turnout for recent similar elections and factors considered likely to affect voter turnout for the forthcoming election.
b. If the commissioner concludes, pursuant to paragraph “a”, that voting will probably be so light as to make counting of ballots by the precinct election officials less expensive than preparation and use of automatic tabulating equipment, paper ballots may be used, subject to paragraph “c”. If paper ballots are used, the commissioner shall use ballots and instructions similar to those used when the ballots are counted by automatic tabulating equipment.
c. Notwithstanding a determination by the commissioner pursuant to paragraph “b”, upon receipt of a petition signed by not less than one hundred eligible electors, the commissioner shall count the ballots at an election described in paragraph “a” using automatic tabulating equipment. A petition filed under this paragraph must be received by the commissioner not later than 5:00 p.m. on the forty-second day before the election.
[S13, §2754; C24, 27, §4203; C31, 35, §4216-c15; C39, §4216.15; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, §277.15; C75, 77, 79, 81, §49.26]
97 Acts, ch 170, §28; 2009 Acts, ch 57, §24; 2010 Acts, ch 1033, §17, 56; 2010 Acts, ch 1060, §10 – 12
Referred to in §49.25, 50.24, 52.1
2023 Iowa Code › Title II - ELECTIONS AND OFFICIAL DUTIES › Chapter 49 - METHOD OF CONDUCTING ELECTIONS › Section 49.28 - Commissioner to furnish registers and supplies.

49.28 Commissioner to furnish registers and supplies.
1. The commissioner shall prepare and furnish to each precinct an election register and all other books, forms, materials, equipment, and supplies necessary to conduct the election.
2. a. After the registration deadline and before election day the commissioner shall prepare an election register for each precinct in which voting will occur on the day of the election. The precinct election register shall be a list of the names and addresses of all registered voters of the precinct. Inactive records listed in the election register shall be clearly identified with a special mark or symbol.
b. When a precinct is divided by a district boundary, and some, but not all, registered voters of the precinct may vote on an issue or office from that district, the election register shall clearly indicate which of the registered voters are entitled to vote in the district.
[C51, §255; R60, §490; C73, §615; C97, §1113, 1132, 2756; S13, §1087-a16, 2756; C24, 27, §561, 746, 4209; C31, 35, §561, 746, 4216-c14; C39, §561, 746, 4216.14; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, §43.33, 49.28, 277.14; C75, 77, 79, 81, §49.28]
94 Acts, ch 1169, §49; 2007 Acts, ch 190, §1; 2009 Acts, ch 57, §25
Referred to in §47.11
2023 Iowa Code › Title II - ELECTIONS AND OFFICIAL DUTIES › Chapter 49 - METHOD OF CONDUCTING ELECTIONS › Section 49.30 - All candidates and issues on one ballot — exceptions.

49.30 All candidates and issues on one ballot — exceptions.
1. All constitutional amendments, all public measures, and the names of all candidates, other than presidential electors, to be voted for in each election precinct, shall be printed on one ballot, except that separate ballots are authorized when it is not possible to include all offices and public measures on a single ballot. In the event that it is not possible to include all offices and public measures on a single ballot, separate ballots may be provided for nonpartisan offices, judges, or public measures.
2. If printed on the same ballot, the offices of political subdivisions shall, if applicable, be printed in the following order:
a. Those of a county.
b. Those of a city.
c. Those of a school district.
d. Those of a merged area.
e. Those of any other political subdivision.
3. If printed on the same ballot, the public measures of political subdivisions shall be printed in the same order as provided for offices of the political subdivisions.
[C51, §256; R60, §491; C73, §616; C97, §1106; S13, §1106; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §748; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §49.30]
90 Acts, ch 1238, §17; 94 Acts, ch 1169, §64; 97 Acts, ch 170, §29; 98 Acts, ch 1100, §6; 2002 Acts, ch 1134, §31, 115; 2005 Acts, ch 152, §7, 8; 2007 Acts, ch 190, §20 – 22; 2010 Acts, ch 1033, §18; 2017 Acts, ch 155, §19, 44
Referred to in §43.31, 49.43, 49.57A
Single ballot, exceptions; see also, §49.43, 52.24
2023 Iowa Code › Title II - ELECTIONS AND OFFICIAL DUTIES › Chapter 49 - METHOD OF CONDUCTING ELECTIONS › Section 49.32 - Candidates for president in place of electors.

49.32 Candidates for president in place of electors.
The candidates for electors of president and vice president of any political party or group of petitioners shall not be placed on the ballot, but in the years in which they are to be elected the names of candidates for president and vice president, respectively, of such parties or group of petitioners shall be placed on the ballot, as the names of candidates for United States senators are placed thereon, under their respective party, petition, or adopted titles for each political party, or group of petitioners, nominating a set of candidates for electors.
[C97, §1106; S13, §1106; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §750; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §49.32]
Referred to in §43.31, 49.36, 49.57A
2023 Iowa Code › Title II - ELECTIONS AND OFFICIAL DUTIES › Chapter 49 - METHOD OF CONDUCTING ELECTIONS › Section 49.33 - Single voting target for certain paired offices.

49.33 Single voting target for certain paired offices.
Immediately opposite the names of each pair of candidates for president and vice president, a single voting target shall be printed next to the bracket enclosing the names of the candidates for president and vice president. A single voting target shall be printed next to the bracket enclosing the names of the candidates for governor and lieutenant governor. The votes for a team of candidates shall be counted and certified by the election board as a team. Write-in votes shall also be tabulated as a single vote for a pair of candidates.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §751; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §49.33]
90 Acts, ch 1238, §19; 97 Acts, ch 170, §33
Referred to in §43.31, 49.57A
2023 Iowa Code › Title II - ELECTIONS AND OFFICIAL DUTIES › Chapter 49 - METHOD OF CONDUCTING ELECTIONS › Section 49.36 - Candidates of nonparty organization.

49.36 Candidates of nonparty organization.
The term “group of petitioners” as used in section 49.32 shall embrace an organization which is not a political party as defined by law.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §754; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §49.36]
2009 Acts, ch 133, §14
Referred to in §43.31, 49.57A
Political party defined, §43.2
Nonparty political organizations, see chapter 44
2023 Iowa Code › Title II - ELECTIONS AND OFFICIAL DUTIES › Chapter 49 - METHOD OF CONDUCTING ELECTIONS › Section 49.37 - Arrangement of ballot.

49.37 Arrangement of ballot.
1. For general elections, and for other elections in which more than one partisan office will be filled, the ballot shall be arranged as provided in this section.
2. Offices shall be arranged in groups. Partisan offices, nonpartisan offices, judges, and public measures shall be separated by a distinct line appearing on the ballot.
3. The commissioner shall arrange the ballot in conformity with the certificate issued by the state commissioner under section 43.73, in that the names of the respective candidates for each political party shall appear in the order they appeared on the certificate, above or to the left of the nonparty political organization candidates.
4. The commissioner shall arrange the partisan county offices on the ballot with the board of supervisors first, followed by the other county offices in the same sequence in which they appear in section 39.17. Nonpartisan offices shall be listed after partisan offices.
[C97, §1106; S13, §1106; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §755; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §49.37]
89 Acts, ch 136, §37; 97 Acts, ch 170, §35, 36; 2005 Acts, ch 152, §9; 2008 Acts, ch 1032, §151; 2017 Acts, ch 110, §46, 47
Referred to in §43.31, 49.57A
2023 Iowa Code › Title II - ELECTIONS AND OFFICIAL DUTIES › Chapter 49 - METHOD OF CONDUCTING ELECTIONS › Section 49.38 - Candidate’s name to appear but once.

49.38 Candidate’s name to appear but once.
The name of a candidate shall not appear upon the ballot in more than one place for the same office, whether nominated by convention, primary, caucus, or petition, except as otherwise provided in this chapter.
[C97, §1106; S13, §1106; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §756; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §49.38]
2020 Acts, ch 1063, §31
Referred to in §43.31, 49.57A
2023 Iowa Code › Title II - ELECTIONS AND OFFICIAL DUTIES › Chapter 49 - METHOD OF CONDUCTING ELECTIONS › Section 49.39 - Dual nomination.

49.39 Dual nomination.
When two or more political parties, or when two or more political organizations which are not political parties, or when a political party and a political organization which is not a political party, nominate the same candidate for the same office, such nominee shall forthwith designate, in writing, the political party name, or the political organization name, under which the nominee desires to have the nominee’s name printed on the official ballot for the ensuing general election; such written designation shall be filed with the officer with whom the nomination paper, or certificate of nomination by a convention or caucus, is filed and the name of such nominee shall appear on the ballot in accordance therewith.
[C97, §1106; S13, §1087-a6, 1106; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §757; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §49.39]
Referred to in §43.31, 49.40, 49.57A
2023 Iowa Code › Title II - ELECTIONS AND OFFICIAL DUTIES › Chapter 49 - METHOD OF CONDUCTING ELECTIONS › Section 49.40 - Failure to designate.

49.40 Failure to designate.
If the designation referred to in section 49.39 be not filed, the following rules shall govern:
1. If the nomination be by two or more political parties, the name of such nominee shall be printed under the party designation under which nomination papers were first filed in the nominee’s behalf.
2. If the nomination be by a political party and also by a political organization which is not a political party, the name of such nominee shall be printed under the name of the political party or political organization first filing nomination papers, or certificate of nomination, as the case may be.
3. If the nomination be by two or more political organizations which are not political parties, the name of such nominee shall be printed under the name of the political organization first filing a certificate of nomination of such candidate.
[C97, §1106; S13, §1087-a6, 1106; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §758; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §49.40]
Referred to in §43.31, 49.57A
2023 Iowa Code › Title II - ELECTIONS AND OFFICIAL DUTIES › Chapter 49 - METHOD OF CONDUCTING ELECTIONS › Section 49.42B - Form of official ballot — candidates for president and vice president.

49.42B Form of official ballot — candidates for president and vice president.
When candidates for president and vice president of the United States appear on the ballot, the following statement shall appear directly above the section of the ballot listing such candidates:
[A ballot cast for the named candidates for president and vice president of the United States is considered to be cast for the slate of presidential electors nominated by the political party, nonparty political organization, or independent candidate.]
2021 Acts, ch 147, §25, 54
2023 Iowa Code › Title II - ELECTIONS AND OFFICIAL DUTIES › Chapter 49 - METHOD OF CONDUCTING ELECTIONS › Section 49.43 - Constitutional amendment or other public measure.

49.43 Constitutional amendment or other public measure.
1. If possible, all public measures and constitutional amendments to be voted upon by an elector shall be included on a single ballot which shall also include all offices to be voted upon. However, if it is necessary, a separate ballot may be used as provided in section 49.30.
2. Constitutional amendments and other public measures shall be summarized by the commissioner as provided in sections 49.44 and 52.25.
[C97, §1106; S13, §1106; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §761, 762, 767; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, §49.43, 49.44; C75, §49.43, 49.49; C77, 79, 81, §49.43]
88 Acts, ch 1119, §17; 94 Acts, ch 1169, §64; 97 Acts, ch 170, §38, 39; 2007 Acts, ch 190, §23; 2009 Acts, ch 57, §26; 2010 Acts, ch 1033, §19; 2021 Acts, ch 147, §26, 54
Referred to in §39.4, 49.44, 49.45, 145A.7, 468.184, 468.259
Iowa Constitution, Art. X, §1
Single ballot, exceptions; see also §52.24
2023 Iowa Code › Title II - ELECTIONS AND OFFICIAL DUTIES › Chapter 49 - METHOD OF CONDUCTING ELECTIONS › Section 49.44 - Summary.

49.44 Summary.
1. When a proposed constitutional amendment or other public measure to be decided by the voters of the entire state is to be voted upon, the state commissioner shall prepare a written summary of the amendment or measure including the number of the amendment or statewide public measure assigned by the state commissioner. The summary shall be printed immediately preceding the text of the proposed amendment or measure on the paper ballot or optical scan ballot referred to in section 49.43. If the complete text of the proposed amendment or public measure will not fit on the ballot it shall be posted inside the voting booth. A copy of the full text shall be included with any absentee ballots.
2. The commissioner may prepare a summary for public measures if the commissioner finds that a summary is needed to clarify the question to the voters.
[C73, §49.43; C75, 77, 79, 81, §49.44; 81 Acts, ch 34, §27]
89 Acts, ch 136, §38; 97 Acts, ch 170, §40; 2007 Acts, ch 190, §24; 2009 Acts, ch 57, §27; 2021 Acts, ch 147, §27, 54
Referred to in §39.4, 49.43, 52.25, 145A.7, 468.184, 468.259
2023 Iowa Code › Title II - ELECTIONS AND OFFICIAL DUTIES › Chapter 49 - METHOD OF CONDUCTING ELECTIONS › Section 49.45 - General form of ballot.

49.45 General form of ballot.
Ballots referred to in section 49.43 shall be substantially in the following form:
Shall the following amendment to the Constitution (or public measure) be adopted?
☐ Yes
☐ No
(Here insert the summary, if it is for a constitutional amendment or statewide public measure, and in full the proposed constitutional amendment or public measure. The number assigned by the state commissioner or the letter assigned by the county commissioner shall be included on the ballot centered above the question, “Shall the following amendment to the Constitution [or public measure] be adopted?”.)
[C97, §1106; S13, §1106; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §763; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, S81, §49.45; 81 Acts, ch 34, §28]
97 Acts, ch 170, §41
Referred to in §39.4, 145A.7, 468.184, 468.259
2023 Iowa Code › Title II - ELECTIONS AND OFFICIAL DUTIES › Chapter 49 - METHOD OF CONDUCTING ELECTIONS › Section 49.46 - Marking ballots on public measures.

49.46 Marking ballots on public measures.
The elector shall designate a vote by making the appropriate mark in the voting target. On paper ballots an “X” or a check mark may be placed in the proper target.
[C97, §1106; S13, §1106; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §764; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §49.46]
97 Acts, ch 170, §42; 2006 Acts, ch 1010, §38
Referred to in §39.4, 145A.7, 468.184, 468.259
2023 Iowa Code › Title II - ELECTIONS AND OFFICIAL DUTIES › Chapter 49 - METHOD OF CONDUCTING ELECTIONS › Section 49.47 - Notice on ballots.

49.47 Notice on ballots.
1. At the top of paper ballots for public measures shall be printed the following:
[Notice to voters. To vote to approve any question on this ballot, make a cross mark or check in the target before the word “Yes”. To vote against a question make a similar mark in the target preceding the word “No”.]
2. This notice shall be adapted to describe the proper mark where it is appropriate.
[S13, §1106; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §765; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §49.47]
97 Acts, ch 170, §43; 98 Acts, ch 1100, §7; 2008 Acts, ch 1032, §201
Referred to in §39.4, 145A.7, 468.184, 468.259
2023 Iowa Code › Title II - ELECTIONS AND OFFICIAL DUTIES › Chapter 49 - METHOD OF CONDUCTING ELECTIONS › Section 49.48 - Notice for judicial officers and constitutional amendments.

49.48 Notice for judicial officers and constitutional amendments.
The state commissioner of elections shall prescribe a notice to inform voters of the location on the ballot of the form for retaining or removing judicial officers and for ratifying or defeating proposed constitutional amendments. The notice shall be conspicuously attached to the ballot.
83 Acts, ch 186, §10026, 10201; 89 Acts, ch 136, §39; 2009 Acts, ch 57, §28
2023 Iowa Code › Title II - ELECTIONS AND OFFICIAL DUTIES › Chapter 49 - METHOD OF CONDUCTING ELECTIONS › Section 49.49 - Certain sample ballots prohibited.

49.49 Certain sample ballots prohibited.
The commissioner and state commissioner of elections shall not distribute or authorize the distribution of sample ballots to voters other than as provided in sections 43.30, 49.53, and 52.29.
2019 Acts, ch 148, §41; 2020 Acts, ch 1063, §32
2023 Iowa Code › Title II - ELECTIONS AND OFFICIAL DUTIES › Chapter 49 - METHOD OF CONDUCTING ELECTIONS › Section 49.50 - Endorsement and delivery of ballots.

49.50 Endorsement and delivery of ballots.
Ballots on such public measures shall be endorsed and given to each voter by the precinct election officials, as in case of ballots generally, and shall be subject to all other laws governing ballots for candidates, so far as the same shall be applicable.
[S13, §1106; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §768; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §49.50]
2023 Iowa Code › Title II - ELECTIONS AND OFFICIAL DUTIES › Chapter 49 - METHOD OF CONDUCTING ELECTIONS › Section 49.51 - Commissioner to control printing.

49.51 Commissioner to control printing.
The commissioner shall have charge of the printing of the ballots to be used for any election held in the county.
[C97, §1107; S13, §1106, 2754; SS15, §1107; C24, 27, §767, 769, 771, 4203; C31, 35, §767, 769, 771, 4216-c8; C39, §767, 769, 771, 4216.08; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, §49.51, 49.53, 277.8; C75, §49.49, 49.51; C77, 79, 81, §49.51]
83 Acts, ch 139, §1, 14; 93 Acts, ch 163, §38; 95 Acts, ch 67, §53; 98 Acts, ch 1119, §1; 2017 Acts, ch 155, §24, 44; 2019 Acts, ch 148, §42
Referred to in §49.57
2023 Iowa Code › Title II - ELECTIONS AND OFFICIAL DUTIES › Chapter 49 - METHOD OF CONDUCTING ELECTIONS › Section 49.53 - Publication of ballot and notice.

49.53 Publication of ballot and notice.
1. The commissioner shall not less than four nor more than twenty days before the day of each election, except those for which different publication requirements are prescribed by law, publish notice of the election. The notice shall list the names of all candidates or nominees and the office each seeks, and all public questions, to be voted upon at the election. The notice shall also state the date of the election, the hours the polls will be open, that each voter is required to provide identification at the polling place before the voter can receive and cast a ballot, the location of each polling place at which voting is to occur in the election, and the names of the precincts voting at each polling place. The notice shall include the full text of all public measures to be voted upon at the election. The notice may contain one or more facsimiles of the portion of the ballot containing the first arrangement of candidates as prescribed by section 49.31, subsection 2.
2. The notice shall be published in at least one newspaper, as defined in section 618.3, which is published in the county or other political subdivision in which the election is to occur or, if no newspaper is published there, in at least one newspaper of substantial circulation in the county or political subdivision. For the general election or the primary election the foregoing notice shall be published in at least two newspapers published in the county. However, if there is only one newspaper published in the county, publication in one newspaper shall be sufficient.
[C51, §1110; R60, §463, 2027, 2030; C73, §578, 1718, 1719; C97, §1062, 1112, 2746, 2750, 2751, 2755; S13, §1087-a12, 2750, 2755; C24, §508, 550, 551, 790, 4195, 4197, 4208; C27, §508, 550, 551, 790, 4195, 4197, 4208, 4211-b1, 4216-b3; C31, 35, §508, 550, 551, 590, 4216-c3; C39, §508, 550, 551, 790, 4216.03; C46, 50, 54, §39.5, 43.23, 43.24, 49.72, 277.3; C58, 62, 66, 71, 73, §39.5, 43.23, 43.24, 43.29, 49.72, 277.3; C75, 77, 79, 81, §49.53]
87 Acts, ch 221, §15; 89 Acts, ch 136, §40; 93 Acts, ch 143, §17; 98 Acts, ch 1123, §5; 2002 Acts, ch 1134, §33, 115; 2007 Acts, ch 190, §2; 2009 Acts, ch 57, §29; 2017 Acts, ch 110, §22, 35, 36; 2021 Acts, ch 147, §28, 54; 2022 Acts, ch 1021, §22
Referred to in §28A.6, 39.6, 49.49, 49.54, 49.73, 49.128, 52.35, 260C.15, 260C.39, 275.35, 296.4, 298.18, 331.305, 346.27, 364.2, 368.3, 368.19, 384.26, 394.2
[ ()]Publication of ballot, city elections, §376.5
[ ()]Subsection 1 amended
2023 Iowa Code › Title II - ELECTIONS AND OFFICIAL DUTIES › Chapter 49 - METHOD OF CONDUCTING ELECTIONS › Section 49.54 - Cost of publication.

49.54 Cost of publication.
The cost of the publication required by section 49.53, shall not exceed an amount determined by the director of the department of administrative services or the director’s designee.
[C73, §3832; C97, §1112, 1293; S13, §1293; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §772, 796; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, §49.54, 49.72; C75, 77, 79, 81, §49.54]
2003 Acts, ch 145, §286
2023 Iowa Code › Title II - ELECTIONS AND OFFICIAL DUTIES › Chapter 49 - METHOD OF CONDUCTING ELECTIONS › Section 49.55 - Delivery of supplies to officials.

49.55 Delivery of supplies to officials.
In all cases the necessary election supplies, including paper ballots for precincts where they are to be used, shall be furnished the precinct election officials not less than one hour before the opening of the polls on the morning of the election.
[C97, §1107; SS15, §1107; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §773; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §49.55]
Referred to in §49.65
2023 Iowa Code › Title II - ELECTIONS AND OFFICIAL DUTIES › Chapter 49 - METHOD OF CONDUCTING ELECTIONS › Section 49.56 - Maximum cost of printing.

49.56 Maximum cost of printing.
The cost of printing the official election ballots and printed supplies shall not exceed the usual and customary rates that the printer charges its regular customers.
[SS15, §1107; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §774; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §49.56]
88 Acts, ch 1119, §18; 2009 Acts, ch 57, §30
Referred to in §53.46
2023 Iowa Code › Title II - ELECTIONS AND OFFICIAL DUTIES › Chapter 49 - METHOD OF CONDUCTING ELECTIONS › Section 49.57 - Method and style of printing ballots.

49.57 Method and style of printing ballots.
Ballots shall be prepared as follows:
1. They shall be on paper uniform in color, through which the printing or writing cannot be read.
2. After the name of each candidate for a partisan office the name of the candidate’s political party shall be printed in at least six point type. The names of political parties and nonparty political organizations may be abbreviated on the remainder of the ballot if both the full name and the abbreviation appear in the voter instruction area of the ballot.
3. The names of candidates shall be printed in upper case and lower case letters using a uniform font size throughout the ballot. The font size shall be not less than ten point type.
4. In no case shall the font size for public measures, constitutional amendments, and constitutional convention questions, and summaries thereof, be less than ten point type.
5. On ballots that will be counted by automatic tabulating equipment, ballots shall include a voting target next to the name of each candidate. The position, shape, and size of the targets shall be appropriate for the equipment to be used in counting the votes. Where paper ballots are used, a square may be printed at the beginning of each line in which the name of a candidate is printed, except as otherwise provided.
6. A portion of the ballot shall include the words “Official ballot”, the unique identification number or name assigned by the commissioner to the ballot style, the date of the election, and the facsimile or likeness of the county seal of the county of the commissioner who has caused the ballot to be printed pursuant to section 49.51.
7. The office title of any office which appears on the ballot to fill a vacancy before the end of the usual term of the office shall include the words “To Fill Vacancy”.
[C97, §1109; S13, §1109; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §775; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §49.57]
97 Acts, ch 170, §44; 2002 Acts, ch 1134, §34, 115; 2007 Acts, ch 59, §8 – 10, 19; 2009 Acts, ch 57, §31; 2017 Acts, ch 110, §48; 2019 Acts, ch 148, §28, 33, 43; 2020 Acts, ch 1098, §4; 2021 Acts, ch 147, §29, 54
Referred to in §43.31, 49.57A
Single voting target for certain paired offices, §49.33
2023 Iowa Code › Title II - ELECTIONS AND OFFICIAL DUTIES › Chapter 49 - METHOD OF CONDUCTING ELECTIONS › Section 49.57A - Form of official ballot — implementation by rule.

49.57A Form of official ballot — implementation by rule.
The state commissioner shall adopt rules in accordance with chapter 17A to implement sections 49.30 through 49.41, section 49.57, and any other provision of the law prescribing the form of the official ballot.
2009 Acts, ch 57, §32
2023 Iowa Code › Title II - ELECTIONS AND OFFICIAL DUTIES › Chapter 49 - METHOD OF CONDUCTING ELECTIONS › Section 49.58 - Effect of death of certain candidates.

49.58 Effect of death of certain candidates.
1. If any candidate nominated by a political party, as defined in section 43.2, for the office of senator or representative in the Congress of the United States, governor, attorney general, or senator or representative in the general assembly dies during the period beginning on the eighty-first day and ending at the time the polls close on the day of the general election, or if any candidate so nominated for the office of county supervisor dies during the period beginning on the seventy-fourth day and ending at the time the polls close on the day of the general election, the vote cast at the general election for that office shall not be canvassed as would otherwise be required by chapter 50. Instead, a special election shall be held on the first Tuesday after the second Monday in December, for the purpose of electing a person to fill that office.
2. Each candidate for that office whose name appeared on the general election ballot shall also be a candidate for the office in the special election, except that the deceased candidate’s political party may designate another candidate in substantially the manner provided by section 43.78 for filling vacancies on the general election ballot. However, a political party which did not have a candidate on the general election ballot for the office in question may similarly designate a candidate for that office in the special election. The name of any replacement or additional candidate so designated shall be submitted in writing to the state commissioner, or the commissioner in the case of a candidate for county supervisor, not later than 5:00 p.m. on the first Tuesday after the date of the general election. The name of any other candidate that did not appear on the general election ballot as a candidate for the office in question shall not be placed on the ballot for the special election, in any manner. The special election shall be held and canvassed in the manner prescribed by law for the general election.
[C97, §1108; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §776; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §49.58]
89 Acts, ch 136, §41; 97 Acts, ch 170, §45; 2018 Acts, ch 1041, §127; 2019 Acts, ch 59, §22; 2020 Acts, ch 1063, §33; 2021 Acts, ch 147, §30, 54
Referred to in §43.79
2023 Iowa Code › Title II - ELECTIONS AND OFFICIAL DUTIES › Chapter 49 - METHOD OF CONDUCTING ELECTIONS › Section 49.63 - Time of printing — inspection and correction.

49.63 Time of printing — inspection and correction.
Ballots shall be printed and in the possession of the commissioner in time to enable the commissioner to furnish ballots to absent voters as provided by sections 53.8, 53.10, and 53.11. The printed ballots shall be subject to the inspection of candidates and their agents. If mistakes are discovered, they shall be corrected without delay, in the manner provided in this chapter.
[C97, §1110; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §781; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §49.63]
2007 Acts, ch 59, §22, 38
Correction of primary ballots, §43.25
2023 Iowa Code › Title II - ELECTIONS AND OFFICIAL DUTIES › Chapter 49 - METHOD OF CONDUCTING ELECTIONS › Section 49.64 - Number of ballots delivered.

49.64 Number of ballots delivered.
The commissioner shall cause ballots of the kind to be voted in each precinct to be delivered to the precinct election officials as follows:
1. In general elections which are presidential elections, at least fifty-five ballots for every fifty votes, or fraction of fifty votes, cast in the precinct at the last preceding general election which was also a presidential election.
2. In general elections which are not presidential elections, at least fifty-five ballots for every fifty votes, or fraction of fifty votes, cast at the last preceding general election which was not a presidential election.
[C97, §1110; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §782; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §49.64]
2002 Acts, ch 1134, §35, 115; 2014 Acts, ch 1026, §13
2023 Iowa Code › Title II - ELECTIONS AND OFFICIAL DUTIES › Chapter 49 - METHOD OF CONDUCTING ELECTIONS › Section 49.65 - Packing ballots — delivery — receipts — records.

49.65 Packing ballots — delivery — receipts — records.
The required number of ballots for each precinct shall be wrapped and sealed, and each package shall be clearly marked on the outside to indicate the number of ballots contained in the package and the name or number of the precinct and the location of the polling place for which they are intended. The ballots shall be delivered to the precinct election officials together with other necessary election supplies, as provided by section 49.55, and one of the officials shall sign a receipt for the ballots which receipt shall be preserved by the commissioner. The commissioner shall keep a record of the number of ballots delivered for each polling place, the person who signed the receipt for them, and the time they were delivered, on a form which also provides space for the entries required by section 50.10.
[C97, §1110; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §783; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §49.65]
Referred to in §50.10, 53.22
2023 Iowa Code › Title II - ELECTIONS AND OFFICIAL DUTIES › Chapter 49 - METHOD OF CONDUCTING ELECTIONS › Section 49.66 - Reserve supply of ballots.

49.66 Reserve supply of ballots.
The commissioner shall provide and retain at the commissioner’s office an ample supply of ballots, in addition to those distributed to the several voting precincts. If at any time the ballots furnished to any precinct shall be lost, destroyed, or if the chairperson of the precinct election officials determines that the supply of ballots will be exhausted before the polls are closed, the chairperson of the precinct election officials of the precinct shall immediately contact the commissioner by telephone. If no telephone is available, a messenger shall be sent to the commissioner with a written application for additional ballots. The application shall be signed by a majority of the precinct election officials. The commissioner shall keep written records of all requests for additional ballots and shall immediately cause to be delivered to the officials, at the polling place, such additional supply of ballots as may be required, and sufficient to comply with the provisions of this chapter.
[C97, §1110; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §784; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §49.66]
95 Acts, ch 189, §8
2023 Iowa Code › Title II - ELECTIONS AND OFFICIAL DUTIES › Chapter 49 - METHOD OF CONDUCTING ELECTIONS › Section 49.67 - Form of reserve supply.

49.67 Form of reserve supply.
1. The number of reserve ballots for each precinct shall be determined by the commissioner.
2. a. If necessary, the commissioner or the commissioner’s designee may make photocopies of official ballots to replace or replenish ballot supplies. The commissioner shall keep a record of the number of photocopied ballots made for each precinct, the name of the person who made the photocopies, and the date, time, and location at which the photocopies were made. These records shall be made on forms and following procedures prescribed by the secretary of state by administrative rule.
b. In any precinct where photocopied ballots are used, each photocopied ballot shall be initialed as required by section 49.82 by two precinct officials immediately before being issued to the voter. In partisan elections the two precinct officials shall be of different political parties.
[C97, §1110; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §785; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §49.67]
95 Acts, ch 189, §9; 2017 Acts, ch 54, §18
2023 Iowa Code › Title II - ELECTIONS AND OFFICIAL DUTIES › Chapter 49 - METHOD OF CONDUCTING ELECTIONS › Section 49.68 - State commissioner to furnish instructions.

49.68 State commissioner to furnish instructions.
1. The state commissioner with the approval of the attorney general shall prepare, and from time to time revise, written instructions to the voters relative to the rights of voters, and shall furnish each commissioner with copies of the instructions. Such instructions shall cover the following matters:
a. The procedure for registering to vote after the registration deadline has passed.
b. Instructions for voters who are required by law to show identification before voting.
c. General information on voting rights under applicable federal and state laws, including the following:
(1) Information on the right of an individual to cast a provisional ballot and the procedure for casting a provisional ballot.
(2) Federal and state laws regarding prohibitions on acts of fraud, misrepresentation, coercion, or duress.
d. Instructions on how to contact the appropriate officials if a voter believes the voter’s rights have been violated.
2. The state commissioner shall prepare instructions relative to voting for each voting system in use in the state and shall furnish the county commissioner with copies of the instructions. Such instructions shall cover the following matters:
a. The manner of obtaining ballots.
b. The manner of marking ballots.
c. That unmarked or improperly marked ballots will not be counted.
d. The method of gaining assistance in marking ballots.
e. That any erasures or identification marks, or otherwise spoiling or defacing a ballot, will render it invalid.
f. Not to vote a spoiled or defaced ballot.
g. How to obtain a new ballot in place of a spoiled or defaced one.
h. Any other matters thought necessary.
[C97, §1111; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §786, 787; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, §49.68, 49.69; C75, 77, 79, 81, §49.68; 81 Acts, ch 34, §29]
2008 Acts, ch 1115, §94
Referred to in §49.71
2023 Iowa Code › Title II - ELECTIONS AND OFFICIAL DUTIES › Chapter 49 - METHOD OF CONDUCTING ELECTIONS › Section 49.70 - Precinct election officials furnished instructions.

49.70 Precinct election officials furnished instructions.
The commissioner shall cause copies of instructions addressing the rights of voters and instructions for voting to be printed in large, clear type. The commissioner shall furnish the precinct election officials with a sufficient number of each set of instructions as will enable them to comply with section 49.71.
[C97, §1111; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §788; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §49.70]
2002 Acts, ch 1134, §36, 115; 2008 Acts, ch 1115, §95; 2010 Acts, ch 1033, §20, 56
Referred to in §49.71
2023 Iowa Code › Title II - ELECTIONS AND OFFICIAL DUTIES › Chapter 49 - METHOD OF CONDUCTING ELECTIONS › Section 49.71 - Posting instruction cards and sample ballots.

49.71 Posting instruction cards and sample ballots.
The precinct election officials, before the opening of the polls, shall cause each set of instructions required pursuant to section 49.70 to be securely posted as follows:
1. At least one copy of the instructions for voting prescribed in section 49.68, subsection 2, in each voting booth.
2. At least one copy of the instructions for voting prescribed in section 49.68, subsection 2, with an equal number of sample ballots, in and about the polling place.
3. At least one copy of the instructions relating to rights of voters, as prescribed in section 49.68, subsection 1, in and about the polling place.
[C97, §1112; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §789; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §49.71]
2003 Acts, ch 44, §26; 2008 Acts, ch 1115, §96
Referred to in §43.30, 49.70
Sample primary ballots, §43.30
2023 Iowa Code › Title II - ELECTIONS AND OFFICIAL DUTIES › Chapter 49 - METHOD OF CONDUCTING ELECTIONS › Section 49.72 - Absentee voters designated before polling place opened.

49.72 Absentee voters designated before polling place opened.
The commissioner shall deliver to each precinct election board not less than one hour before the time at which the polls are to open for any election the list of all registered voters of that precinct who have been given or sent an absentee ballot for that election, and the election board shall immediately designate those registered voters who are so listed and therefore not entitled to vote in person at the polls, except as provided in section 53.19, subsection 3.
[C75, 77, 79, 81, §49.72]
95 Acts, ch 67, §53; 2010 Acts, ch 1026, §8
2023 Iowa Code › Title II - ELECTIONS AND OFFICIAL DUTIES › Chapter 49 - METHOD OF CONDUCTING ELECTIONS › Section 49.73 - Time of opening and closing polls.

49.73 Time of opening and closing polls.
1. At all elections, except as otherwise permitted by this section, the polls shall be opened at 7:00 a.m. if at least one official from each of the political parties referred to in section 49.13 is present. On the basis of voter turnout for recent similar elections and factors considered likely to so affect voter turnout for the forthcoming election as to justify shortened voting hours for that election, the commissioner may direct that the polls be opened at 12:00 noon for:
a. Any election conducted for a benefited district.
b. Any election conducted for the unincorporated area of a county.
2. a. All polling places where the candidates of or any public question submitted by any one political subdivision are being voted upon shall be opened at the same hour. The hours at which the respective precinct polling places are to open shall not be changed after publication of the notice required by section 49.53. The polling places shall be closed at 8:00 p.m. for all elections.
b. The legislative services agency shall place on the internet site of the general assembly information regarding the opening and closing times of polling places until and including November 7, 2024. This paragraph is repealed effective July 1, 2025.
[C51, §251; R60, §486; C73, §611; C97, §1096, 2751, 2754, 2756; S13, §1087-a6, 1096, 2754, 2756; C24, 27, §565, 791, 4202, 4211; C31, 35, §565, 791, 4216-c9; C39, §565, 791, 4216.09; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, §43.37, 49.73, 277.9; C75, 77, 79, 81, §49.73]
94 Acts, ch 1180, §13; 2002 Acts, ch 1134, §37, 38, 115; 2007 Acts, ch 59, §11, 19; 2008 Acts, ch 1115, §97; 2009 Acts, ch 138, §1; 2017 Acts, ch 155, §25, 26, 44; 2021 Acts, ch 12, §36, 73; 2021 Acts, ch 174, §10, 34, 37
Referred to in §53.2
2023 Iowa Code › Title II - ELECTIONS AND OFFICIAL DUTIES › Chapter 49 - METHOD OF CONDUCTING ELECTIONS › Section 49.74 - Voters entitled to vote after closing time.

49.74 Voters entitled to vote after closing time.
Every voter who is on the premises of the voter’s precinct polling place at the time the polling place is to be closed for any election shall be permitted to vote in that election. Wherever possible, when there are persons on the premises of a polling place awaiting an opportunity to claim their vote at the time the polling place is to be closed, the election board shall cause those persons to move inside the structure in which the polling place is located and shall then shut the doors of the structure and shall not admit any additional persons to the polling place for the purpose of voting. If it is not feasible to cause persons on the premises of a polling place awaiting an opportunity to claim their vote at the time the polling place is to be closed to move inside the structure in which the polling place is located, the election board shall cause those persons to be designated in some reasonable manner and shall not receive votes after that time from any persons except those voters so designated.
[C27, 31, 35, §791-a1; C39, §791.1; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §49.74]
94 Acts, ch 1169, §64; 2008 Acts, ch 1115, §82
2023 Iowa Code › Title II - ELECTIONS AND OFFICIAL DUTIES › Chapter 49 - METHOD OF CONDUCTING ELECTIONS › Section 49.75 - Oath.

49.75 Oath.
Before opening the polls, each of the board members shall take the following oath:
I, A. B., do solemnly swear or affirm that I will impartially, and to the best of my knowledge and ability, perform the duties of precinct election official of this election, and will studiously endeavor to prevent fraud, deceit, and abuse in conducting the election.
I understand that as a precinct election official, I have access to certain information that is considered confidential and is protected under Code chapters 22, 39A, 48A, and 715C. Due to this protected status, I agree to only release this information in accordance with Iowa law.
Additionally, I understand that the prohibition on sharing confidential information extends before and after the hours that my assigned polling place is open.
[C51, §249; R60, §484; C73, §609; C97, §1094, 2756; S13, §2756; C24, 27, §792, 4209; C31, 35, §792, 4216-c11; C39, §792, 4216.11; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, §49.75, 277.11; C75, 77, 79, 81, §49.75]
89 Acts, ch 136, §42; 2017 Acts, ch 54, §19; 2021 Acts, ch 147, §31, 54
Referred to in §49.14, 53.22
2023 Iowa Code › Title II - ELECTIONS AND OFFICIAL DUTIES › Chapter 49 - METHOD OF CONDUCTING ELECTIONS › Section 49.76 - How administered.

49.76 How administered.
Any one of the precinct election officials present may administer the oath to the others, and it shall be entered in the election records, subscribed by the person taking it, and certified by the officer administering it.
[C51, §250; R60, §485; C73, §610; C97, §1095; SS15, §1087-a5; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §559, 793; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, §43.31, 49.76; C75, 77, 79, 81, §49.76]
2023 Iowa Code › Title II - ELECTIONS AND OFFICIAL DUTIES › Chapter 49 - METHOD OF CONDUCTING ELECTIONS › Section 49.80 - Examination on challenge.

49.80 Examination on challenge.
1. When the status of any person as a registered voter is so challenged, the precinct election officials shall explain to the person the qualifications of an elector, and may examine the person under oath touching the person’s qualifications as a voter.
2. a. In case of any challenges of an elector at the time the person is offering to vote in a precinct, a precinct election official may place such person under oath and question the person as to the following:
(1) Where the person maintains the person’s home.
(2) How long the person has maintained the person’s home at such place.
(3) If the person maintains a home at any other location.
(4) The person’s age.
b. The precinct election official may permit the challenger to participate in such questions. The challenged elector shall be allowed to present to the official such evidence and facts as the elector feels sustains the fact that the person is qualified to vote. Upon completion thereof, if the challenge is withdrawn, the elector may cast the vote in the usual manner. If the challenge is not withdrawn, section 49.81 shall apply.
[C51, §259; R60, §494; C73, §620; C97, §1115; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §797; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §49.80]
90 Acts, ch 1238, §21; 94 Acts, ch 1169, §64; 2013 Acts, ch 30, §14
Referred to in §49.78, 49.81
2023 Iowa Code › Title II - ELECTIONS AND OFFICIAL DUTIES › Chapter 49 - METHOD OF CONDUCTING ELECTIONS › Section 49.82 - Voter to receive one ballot — endorsement.

49.82 Voter to receive one ballot — endorsement.
When an empty voting booth is available, one of the precinct election officials shall endorse the official’s initials on each ballot the voter will receive. The initials shall be placed so that they may be seen when the ballot is properly folded or enclosed in a secrecy folder. The name or signature of the commissioner shall not appear on the ballot except as part of the list of candidates when the commissioner is a candidate for election. The official shall give the voter one and only one of each of the ballots to be voted at that election in that precinct, except as provided by section 49.100. No ballot without the required official endorsement shall be placed in the ballot box.
[C97, §1116, 1117; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §799; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §49.82]
94 Acts, ch 1180, §15; 2019 Acts, ch 148, §44
Referred to in §49.67
Endorsement in primary elections, §43.36