Hunter
02/24/23
State lawmakers are advancing a bill that would clarify and standardize election recount procedures in Iowa
The Gazette reports inconsistencies in Iowa’s election recount procedures have been laid bare as multiple elections have gone to recounts over the past two election cycles. The bill is designed to create procedures that will generate consistency in future recounts.
The bill moves the deadline to request a recount from the third day following the canvass of election results to two days after the canvass, and a recount board must convene within six days of the canvass.
Recount deadlines would be 17 days from the canvass of election results for a presidential election, 21 days for Congress or state offices, and 13 days for other elections. Counties with higher populations could add more recount board members to the current limit statewide of three to improve efficiency.
The three person legislative panel that considered the proposal included the bill’s author, Representative Bobby Kaufmann of Wilton, rep David Young of Van Meter, and Amy Nielsen of North Liberty.
A lobbyist for the Iowa State Association of County Auditors, said the legislation has their support.