A bill for an act relating to the conduct of election recounts, providing penalties, and including effective date provisions.

SF 543 amends Iowa's election recount procedures to clarify who serves on recount boards, require ballots to be sealed and preserved for six months (22 months for federal elections), and give the state commissioner authority to order recounts. It directly affects election officials, candidates requesting recounts, and voters by standardizing board composition (requiring candidate-designated members plus precinct officials) and ballot handling. Key provisions include specifying that recount boards must include representatives chosen by candidates, mandating secure ballot storage, and allowing the commissioner to initiate recounts. The bill also updates canvassing schedules for election results to align with recount timelines.