REPUBLICANS IN THE IOWA HOUSE HAVE VOTED TO BAN DROP BOXES AT COUNTY AUDITORS’ OFFICES FOR ABSENTEE BALLOTS AND TO REQUIRE THAT ABSENTEE BALLOTS BE IN ELECTION OFFICES THE DAY BEFORE AN ELECTION.
FOR ELECTIONS HELD IN IOWA THE PAST THREE YEARS, ABSENTEE BALLOTS WERE COUNTED IF THE BALLOT WAS RECEIVED BY COUNTY AUDITORS BY THE TIME POLLS CLOSED.
REPRESENTATIVE BOBBY KAUFMANN, A REPUBLICAN FROM WILTON, SAYS ANYONE CAN VOTE IN THE TIME FRAME OUTLINED IN THE BILL.
DROPBOX7 OC…….HERE IN IOWA..” :09
HOUSE DEMOCRATS VOTED AGAINST THE BILL, INCLUDING J.D. SCHOLTEN OF SIOUX CITY WHO TOLD HOUSE MEMBERS ABSENTEE BALLOTS MAILED IN SIOUX CITY GO TO SOUTH DAKOTA BEFORE COMING BACK, ADDING DAYS OF DELAY BEFORE THEY ARE COUNTED:
DROPBOX9 OC……..BACK TO SIOUX CITY. (2X) :26
SCHOLTEN SAYS IF THE BALLOT IS FOUND TO HAVE AN ERROR, THE PERSON VOTING HAS TO GO THROUGH THAT PROCESS A SECOND TIME.
THE BILL PROPOSES OTHER CHANGES, LIKE REQUIRING NEW ABSENTEE BALLOT ENVELOPES.
DEMOCRAT AUSTIN BAETH OF DES MOINES, SUGGESTED THE CHANGES ARE FUELED BY PARANOIA.
KAUFMANN, WHO HAS MANAGED PREVIOUS BILLS MAKING ELECTION LAW CHANGES, RESPONDED.
DROPBOX8 OC…….HAVE NOT.” :07
THE BILL NOW GOES TO THE IOWA SENATE FOR CONSIDERATION.
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