Iowa Admin. Code r. 721-21.304

Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 8, October 30, 2024

Rule 721-21.304 - Absentee ballot requests from voters whose registration records are "pending."

A voter who requests an absentee ballot and is assigned a status of "pending" must provide identification pursuant to Iowa Code section 48A.8.

(1)In-person applicants. In-person applicants for absentee ballots assigned a status of "pending" must show identification pursuant to Iowa Code section 48A.8 before casting a ballot. If an in-person applicant provides identification as required by Iowa Code section 48A. 8 when casting an absentee ballot in person, the commissioner shall assign the voter's registration record a status of "active" and provide the voter with an absentee ballot. Voters who are unable to provide identification as required by Iowa Code section 48A.8 shall be offered a provisional ballot pursuant to Iowa Code section 49.81.

(2)By-mail applicants. By-mail applicants for absentee ballots assigned a status of "pending" must either come to the commissioner's office and show identification pursuant to Iowa Code section 48A. 8 or mail a photocopy of identification pursuant to Iowa Code section 48A. 8 before the voter's absentee ballot can be counted by the absentee and special voters precinct board. The commissioner shall mail the voter a notice informing the voter of the requirement to provide one of the identification documents listed in Iowa Code section 48A.8 before the voter's absentee ballot can be considered for counting by the absentee and special voters precinct board. If a by-mail applicant provides identification as required by Iowa Code section 48A.8, the commissioner shall assign the voter's registration record a status of "active."

(3)By-mail absentee voters assigned a status of "pending" who do not provide identification prior to election day. The ballot of a by-mail absentee voter assigned a status of "pending" who has not shown identification in person at the commissioner's office or provided a photocopy of identification by mail pursuant to Iowa Code section 48A. 8 shall be challenged by a member of the absentee and special voters precinct board on election day pursuant to Iowa Code section 53.31. The absentee and special voters precinct board shall immediately mail notice of the challenge to the voter. The notice shall include the deadline for the voter to provide identification pursuant to Iowa Code section 48A.8. If the voter provides identification pursuant to Iowa Code section 48A.8 prior to the time the absentee and special voters precinct board reconvenes to consider challenged absentee ballots pursuant to Iowa Code section 50.22, the voter's ballot shall be considered for counting by the absentee and special voters precinct board. If the voter does not provide identification pursuant to Iowa Code section 48A.8 prior to the time the absentee and special voters precinct board reconvenes to consider challenged absentee ballots pursuant to Iowa Code section 50.22, the voter's absentee ballot shall be rejected by the absentee and special voters precinct board. The voter shall be notified of the reason for rejection pursuant to Iowa Code section 53.25.

This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code sections 48A.8, 53.25 and 53.31.

Iowa Admin. Code r. 721-21.304

ARC 8045B, IAB 8/26/09, effective 7/27/09

Amended by IAB January 21, 2015/Volume XXXVII, Number 15, effective 2/25/2015