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1413XD

Elections Technical Bill (1413XD) - Secretary of State

2025-2026 Regular Session

Bill 1413XD streamlines Iowa's election processes, ensuring efficient voter eligibility certification, clearer absentee voting, and updated ballot management for better transparency.

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Bill Summary · 1413XD

Summary of Bill 1413XD: Elections Technical Bill

Bill Number: 1413XD
Title: Elections Technical Bill (1413XD) - Secretary of State
Introduced: November 18, 2025
Status: Proposed Bill

Purpose and Intent

The Elections Technical Bill (1413XD) aims to amend various sections of the Iowa Code related to the administration of elections. The bill seeks to enhance the efficiency and clarity of election processes, ensuring that voting procedures are up-to-date and effectively managed by election officials.

Key Provisions

The bill includes several amendments to existing laws, which can be summarized as follows:

  1. Certification of Voter Eligibility

    • The state commissioner of elections is required to certify the eligibility of a program participant to vote or the validity of their absentee ballot upon written request, which must include the voter's four-digit personal identification number.

  2. Scheduling of Special Elections

    • Special elections must be held on Tuesdays, with restrictions on scheduling them during the weeks surrounding primary and general elections, as well as city and school elections.

  3. Canvassing Election Returns

    • The board of supervisors is mandated to meet on the Monday or Tuesday following the primary election to canvass returns from each voting precinct.

  4. Judicial Retention Votes

    • Judges and clerks must receive more affirmative than negative votes to be retained in office, with immediate public canvassing of results by election judges.

  5. Voter Registration Maintenance

    • Voter registration records must be maintained electronically, with a history of local election participation kept for at least two general, primary, school, and city elections.

  6. Ballot Management

    • Procedures for the return and preservation of ballots are updated, including the preservation of spoiled ballots for 22 months following federal elections and 6 months for other elections.

  7. Destruction of Election Materials

    • The bill clarifies the timeline for the destruction of election materials, allowing for destruction 22 months after elections unless a contest is pending.

  8. Canvassing Procedures

    • The bill specifies that the county board of supervisors must meet to canvass votes on the first Monday or Tuesday after elections, with provisions for public holidays.

Impact

The amendments proposed in Bill 1413XD will affect:
- Election Officials: Streamlining processes for certifying voter eligibility and managing election materials.
- Voters: Ensuring clearer procedures for absentee voting and maintaining accurate voter registration records.
- Judicial Candidates: Establishing clearer rules for retention votes, impacting how judges remain in office.

Procedural Aspects

  • The bill was introduced on November 18, 2025, and is currently classified as a proposed bill. Further legislative action will be required for it to become law.

This summary provides an overview of the Elections Technical Bill, highlighting its purpose, key provisions, and potential impacts on the electoral process in Iowa.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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