Technology (Elections)

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 12, 2026

HF 2118: A bill for an act relating to an absentee ballot marking pilot program for voters with disabilities.

HF 2118 establishes a pilot program allowing Iowa voters with disabilities that prevent hand-marking of ballots to independently mark absentee ballots by mail using assistive technology (such as nonvisual or low-vision access tools). It requires the state election commissioner to create rules for the program, including a mail request method for eligible voters. The program must test feasibility across enough counties if not statewide, with annual reports to the legislature. The pilot expires on July 1, 2029.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill enables assistive technology (nonvisual/low-vision tools) for accessible voting, directly promoting digital equity and accessibility for disabled voters through technology use.95% confidence

Tags Elections

Track

in committee · Iowa · Senate Jan 20, 2026

SSB 3047: A bill for an act relating to an absentee ballot marking pilot program for voters with disabilities.

SSB 3047 creates a pilot program allowing voters with disabilities that prevent hand-marking to independently and privately mark absentee ballots by mail using assistive technology like nonvisual or low-vision access tools. The program requires the state commissioner to establish rules enabling these voters to request absentee ballots by mail and to test the program in enough counties to assess statewide feasibility. The commissioner must submit annual reports to the legislature on the pilot’s progress and ends automatically on July 1, 2029. This bill directly affects voters with disabilities who cannot mark ballots by hand, ensuring greater accessibility for mail-in voting.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyUses assistive technology for voting accessibility, promoting digital equity and independent voter participation for disabled individuals.90% confidence

Tags Elections People with Disabilities

Track

introduced · Iowa · Legislature

5493XD: Absentee Ballot Marking Pilot Program (5493XD) - Secretary of State

This bill establishes a temporary pilot program allowing voters with disabilities that prevent hand-marking of ballots to independently mark absentee ballots by mail using assistive technology like nonvisual or low-vision tools. It requires the Secretary of State to create rules enabling these voters to request absentee ballots by mail and to report annually to the legislature on the pilot's progress. The program must test feasibility across enough counties if not implemented statewide, and expires on July 1, 2029. The bill directly affects voters with specific disabilities who cannot mark ballots by hand, aiming to improve accessible absentee voting.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyEnables assistive technology for voting accessibility, promoting digital inclusion and rights through direct tech implementation.95% confidence

Tags Elections

Track

introduced · Iowa · Legislature

1423XD: Absentee Ballot Marking Pilot Program (1423XD) - Secretary of State

This bill establishes a temporary pilot program (expiring July 1, 2026) to help voters with disabilities that prevent them from marking ballots by hand vote independently by mail. It requires the Secretary of State to create rules enabling these voters to use assistive technology (like nonvisual or low-vision tools) to mark absentee ballots privately. The program must include a method for voters to request absentee ballots by mail, test in enough counties to assess statewide feasibility, and require annual reports to the legislature. The pilot aims to evaluate if this system can be expanded statewide for accessible absentee voting.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates use of assistive technology (nonvisual/low-vision tools) for accessible voting, advancing digital equity and accessibility through technology adoption.85% confidence

Tags Elections

Track

in committee · Iowa · House Mar 6, 2025

HF 819: A bill for an act relating to an absentee ballot marking pilot program for voters with disabilities.

HF 819 establishes a pilot program allowing voters with disabilities that prevent them from marking ballots by hand to independently and privately mark absentee ballots using assistive technology (like nonvisual or low-vision tools) or electronic devices that produce paper records. The program requires the state commissioner of elections to create rules for requesting absentee ballots by mail and to test the program in enough counties to determine statewide feasibility if not implemented statewide. The commissioner must submit annual reports to the legislature on the program’s progress by December 31 each year. The pilot program will end on July 1, 2028, unless extended.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyEnables assistive technology for voting accessibility, promoting digital equity for disabled voters through tech-enabled ballot marking.90% confidence

Tags Elections

Track

in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 4, 2025

SF 160: A bill for an act relating to the use of automatic tabulating equipment and optical scan voting systems.

SF 160 modifies Iowa's election equipment rules by requiring counties to use optical scan voting systems for all elections starting July 1, 2025. It allows small cities (under 3,500 population) and school districts to count ballots manually if election officials determine turnout will be low, but voters can petition to override this choice with 100 signatures. The bill ensures voting systems meet federal accessibility standards for disabled voters through compatible electronic ballot marking devices. It directly affects local election officials in small jurisdictions and county election administrators.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates use of optical scan voting systems and ensures accessibility via electronic ballot marking devices, advancing election technology standards.85% confidence

Tags Elections

Track