Iowa Admin. Code r. 721-21.352

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

Rule 721-21.352 - Review of returned envelopes marked with affidavits

(1) Personnel. The commissioner may assign staff members to complete the review of returned envelopes marked with affidavits. Only persons who have been trained for this responsibility shall be authorized to review envelopes marked with affidavits.

(2) Review of envelopes marked with affidavits. The envelopes marked with affidavits of all absentee ballots returned to the commissioner's office shall be reviewed, including those returned by the bipartisan team delivering absentee ballots to health care facilities, such as hospitals and nursing homes. If a reviewer finds that any absentee affidavits returned from any health care facility are incomplete or defective, the commissioner shall send the bipartisan delivery team back to assist voters as needed with completing affidavits or to deliver any replacement ballots.

(3) Instructions. Each reviewer shall receive instructions in substantially the form prepared by the state commissioner of elections. The instructions shall provide basic security and procedural guidance and include a method for accounting for all returned absentee ballots. The prohibitions shall include:

a. Leaving unsecured ballots unattended.

b. Altering any information on any affidavit.

c. Adding any information to any affidavit, except as specifically required to comply with the requirements of the law.

d. Sealing any envelope marked with the affidavit that is found open.

e. Discarding any return carrier envelopes, ballots, or envelopes marked with affidavits that are returned by voters.

Iowa Admin. Code r. 721-21.352

ARC 8045B, IAB 8/26/09, effective 7/27/09; ARC 8779B, IAB 6/2/10, effective 7/1/10

Amended by IAB July 23, 2014/Volume XXXVII, Number 2, effective 8/27/2014