A bill for an act relating to the use of automatic tabulating equipment and optical scan voting systems.

SF 160 modifies Iowa's election equipment rules by requiring counties to use optical scan voting systems for all elections starting July 1, 2025. It allows small cities (under 3,500 population) and school districts to count ballots manually if election officials determine turnout will be low, but voters can petition to override this choice with 100 signatures. The bill ensures voting systems meet federal accessibility standards for disabled voters through compatible electronic ballot marking devices. It directly affects local election officials in small jurisdictions and county election administrators.