IowaElection commissioners may consider school sites for absentee voting
Starting July 1, 2026, election commissioners may consider a requested school property site for absentee voting when a school question is on that election’s ballot.
What it does
A requested satellite absentee voting site may be on school property when voters will decide a school bond, education program, or school levy in that election.
At a satellite absentee voting station, the commissioner must remove or cover material showing a candidate’s or elected official’s name, or discussing a public measure. Ballots, sample ballots, and envelopes are excluded.
Argument forA voting site on school property could make absentee voting more convenient when a school question is on the ballot.
Argument againstUsing school property for voting could interfere with school activities when voters decide a school question.
More detail
Election commissioners may consider a requested site on school property for a satellite absentee voting station. The requested site must be on school property. A school bond, education program, or school levy question must appear on the ballot for that election. The act takes effect July 1, 2026.
The commissioner must remove or cover certain published materials from voters’ view. This rule applies at the satellite absentee voting station. This covers material showing a candidate’s or elected official’s name, or material about a public measure. Ballots, sample ballots, and envelopes are excluded. The act takes effect July 1, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Apr 30Signed by Governor Kim Reynolds.Became Law
- Apr 30Reported correctly enrolled, signed by President and Speaker, and sent to Governor.To Governor
- Apr 8Message from House.
- Apr 7Immediate message.
- Vote recorded Shall the bill pass? Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 7Passed House, yeas 63, nays 29.Passed 2nd Chamber
- Mar 26Placed on calendar under unfinished business.
- Feb 6Placed on calendar.
- Feb 4Committee vote: Yeas, 16. Nays, 7.
- Feb 4Committee report, recommending passage.Minor
- Feb 3Subcommittee recommends passage.Minor
- Jan 29Subcommittee Meeting: 02/03/2026 9:30AM House Lounge 2.
- Jan 28Subcommittee: Harris, Lundgren and McBurney.
- 2025
- Mar 18Read first time, referred to State Government.Minor
- Mar 17Message from Senate.
- Vote recorded Shall the bill pass? Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 17Immediate message.
- Mar 17Passed Senate, yeas 33, nays 13.Passed 1st Chamber
- Mar 17Amendment S-3025 filed, adopted.Major
- Mar 6Placed on calendar.
- Mar 6Committee report, recommending passage.Minor
- Jan 30Subcommittee recommends passage.Minor
- Jan 28Subcommittee Meeting: 01/30/2025 12:00PM Senate Lounge.
- Jan 28Subcommittee: Driscoll, Alons, and Winckler.
- Jan 27Introduced, referred to State Government.Introduced
Civil Rights & Voting