Iowa · statute · Iowa Code ch. 48A · 48 active provisions
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.
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. “Docume…
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 regist…
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.
1. An eligible elector wishing to vote in elections in Iowa shall register to vote as required by this chapter. 2. To be qualified to register to vote an eligible elector shall: a. Be a citizen of the United States. b. Be an Iowa resident. A person’s residence, for voting purposes only, is the place which the person de…
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 pu…
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 S…
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…
1. a. A person who is eligible to register to vote and to vote may register on election day by appearing in person at the polling place for the precinct in which the individual resides and completing a voter registration application, making written oath, and providing proof of identity and residence. b. 1. For purposes…
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 prov…
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.7…
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…
1. The state registrar shall compare lists of persons who are registered to vote with the department of transportation’s driver’s license files, nonoperator’s identification card files, and noncitizen identification files, and shall, on an initial basis, issue a voter identification card to each active, registered vote…
1. Each voter registration form shall provide space for the registrant to provide the following information: a. The county where the registrant resides. b. The registrant’s name, including first name and any family forename or surname. c. The address at which the registrant resides and claims as the registrant’s reside…
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…
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.
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 sho…
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 chal…
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…
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.
1. Each state motor vehicle driver’s license application, including any renewal application or application for a nonoperator’s identification card, submitted to the office of driver services of the state department of transportation shall serve as an application for voter registration unless the applicant declines to r…
1. The following state agencies are responsible for voter registration: a. All state offices that have direct client contact and provide applications for public assistance, including but not limited to offices administering the following programs: 1. The supplemental nutrition assistance program. 2. The medical assista…
A person who provides voter registration services as required by this subchapter shall not: 1. Seek to influence an applicant’s political preference or party registration. 2. Display a political preference or party affiliation. 3. Make any statement to an applicant or take any action which has the purpose or effect of…
The state registrar of voters shall adopt administrative rules regulating the transmission of completed voter registration forms from voter registration agencies and from driver’s license stations, including county treasurer’s offices participating in county issuance of driver’s licenses under chapter 321M. All complet…
The secretary of state shall encourage volunteer organizations to undertake voter registration drives by providing registration forms.