HF 928: A bill for an act relating to the recounting and contesting of elections, and providing penalties. - Iowa

Enrolled with Governor's Action → Reprinted · 3 edits

MINOR

This bill reprints House File 928 with updated formatting and page numbers after it was enacted, while preserving the original substantive text of the election recount and contesting provisions. The changes are primarily technical, converting the bill from its enrolled version to a reprinted version suitable for publication in the Iowa Code.

TECHNICAL

The bill text was reformatted from a line-by-line enrolled version to a standard reprinted format with proper page headers, footers, and section numbering.

New header information was added identifying the bill as 'House File 928 - Reprinted' with committee attribution and amendment history.

The original enrolled version formatting with individual line breaks and page markers was removed in favor of continuous paragraph text.

Enrolled → Enrolled with Governor's Action · 5 edits · Jun 2, 2025

MODERATE

This bill amends Iowa election recount laws to clarify when recounts must be ordered, establish new thresholds for triggering recounts in different election types, and modify the composition of recount boards. The changes affect when county and state officials must order recounts, how much vote difference is required to trigger a recount, and who serves on recount boards.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of recount requirements to include specific thresholds for statewide and federal offices while modifying the timing and bond requirements for county-level recounts.

TIMELINE

Changed the deadline for requesting recounts from the third day after canvass to the second Wednesday following the election for county-level recounts, and from the seventh day to the second Wednesday for statewide/federal office recounts.

Extended the timeline for appointing the third recount board member from the ninth day to the eleventh day following the canvass if the two candidates cannot agree.

REQUIREMENT

Modified the vote difference threshold for triggering recounts from 'less than one percent or fifty votes' to 'one percent or less' for county-level recounts, and established a new 0.15% threshold for statewide/federal offices.

Changed the recount board composition to include a third member chosen jointly by the candidate requesting the recount and the apparent winning candidate, rather than being appointed by the chief judge.

Modified bond requirements so that candidates requesting recounts must post a bond unless the vote difference is less than the greater of fifty votes or one-tenth of one percent.

Introduced → Signed Enrolled Bill (PDF) · 6 edits · Jun 2, 2025

MODERATE

This bill amends Iowa election laws to update recount procedures, thresholds, and timelines for various election types. It clarifies when recounts must be ordered, establishes new requirements for bond amounts and affidavit filings, and modifies the composition and convening timelines of recount boards. The changes aim to streamline the recount process while maintaining oversight and transparency.

Scope change

The bill expands and clarifies the scope of recount authority across county, primary, and statewide elections, including specific provisions for city runoff elections and offices filled by electors of multiple counties.

TIMELINE

Recount request deadlines were adjusted for different election types; county elections now require requests by 5:00 p.m. on the second Wednesday following the canvass, while city runoff elections require requests by 5:00 p.m. on the day following the canvass.

REQUIREMENT

New requirements mandate that candidates requesting recounts must post a bond unless the vote difference is less than fifty votes or one-tenth of one percent, and must sign an affidavit affirming responsibility for bond payment.

Recount board composition rules were updated to specify that the third member is appointed by the chief judge of the judicial district if the two candidate designees cannot agree within 48 hours, with a deadline of 5:00 p.m. on the eleventh day following the canvass.

ELIGIBILITY

New provisions allow the state commissioner of elections to order recounts for statewide, general assembly, and federal offices when vote differences are one percent or less, with specific procedures for multi-county offices.

ENFORCEMENT

Enhanced enforcement mechanisms include provisions for the state commissioner to halt recounts conducted in violation of law, take custody of ballots and equipment, and appoint staff to conduct recounts if necessary.

TECHNICAL

Minor formatting and numbering adjustments were made throughout the text, including reorganization of paragraphs and subsections for clarity.

Signed Enrolled Bill (PDF) → Enrolled · 3 edits · Jun 2, 2025

MINOR

This document shows formatting changes to House File 928, an Iowa election recount and contesting bill. The primary substantive change involves adding language to Section 46.24 requiring judges and clerks to receive more affirmative than negative votes to retain office, while also updating canvassing timelines for election officials. Most other changes appear to be formatting corrections and page number updates rather than policy modifications.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on election recounting and contesting procedures in Iowa, with no changes to which elections or officials are covered.

REQUIREMENT

Section 46.24 now explicitly requires judges and clerks to receive more affirmative than negative votes to retain office, clarifying the retention standard for judicial and clerical positions.

TIMELINE

Updated canvassing timelines for election officials, specifying when boards of supervisors must meet to canvass returns after elections and how to handle public holidays.

MODIFIED

Removed signature block and formatting artifacts from the Governor's signature page, while adding proper enrolled bill formatting with page numbers.

A bill for an act relating to the recounting and contesting of elections, and providing penalties.

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