The following is an opinion from Rep. Sharon Steckman of Mason City:
Voting is a constitutional right. It helps our democracy work. Iowa has previously been ranked number two in the nation for voter integrity.
However, last year the voting process was changed in many ways. Some changes will take place in 2019; some are in place now. With Special Elections coming up in the month of April, now is a good time to review some of those changes.
The change most likely to affect many voters is the requirement to have a current picture ID. However, that change does NOT take effect until January, 2019. If you do not have your ID this year you will be asked to sign an oath attesting you are who you say you are.
Below is a timeline of most of changes in Iowa voting laws in 2018:
· Absentee ballot requests must include a voter verification number, driver’s license number, or non-operator ID number
· Requests must be turned in 10 days before a General Election and 11 days before all other
· The number of early voting days is reduced from 40 to 29
· Voters will NOT have the option of voting straight party.
· The following ID’s will be accepted:
· Driver’s License
· Non-Operator ID
· Military ID or Veteran’s ID
· United States Passport
· Voter identification card issued from the Secretary of State (If the voter does not have any of the previously mentioned ID’s)
Below is a timeline changes in Iowa voting laws in 2019:
· For Primary Elections a person may vote at the age of 17 if they will be 18 by the time of the General Election.
· Voters will not have the option of signing an affidavit if they are unable to provide the correct identification requirements that are required for voting.
· The full implementation of requiring voter to show identification before being allowed to vote is in effect.
Recently Polk County had a special election. I heard stories of confusion on the part of voters AND poll workers. Some voters were told they could not vote unless they had a voter ID. A member of the House went to vote with his wife and she did not have her driver’s license with her. She was told she could not vote. Finally, after much discussion, one of the poll workers vouched for her and she was allowed to vote. A clerk in the House went to vote without her license and finally was allowed to vote using ID Capitol badge (which is not an allowable ID). Another clerk was sent a state issued ID to vote which is intended for those Iowans that have no photo ID….trouble is, she HAS a driver’s license, and no need for a state issued ID. Now she is confused about which she should use. These are just a few of the stories of confusion I heard.
It is essential that voters and poll workers are informed and our constitutional right to vote is NOT impaired.
The award winning Precinct Atlas was developed in our county and is used by a majority of the Iowa counties. We are fortunate to have had Ken Kline as our auditor in Cerro Gordo County and his staff. The staff is still there and would be glad to answer any questions you might have about the new process. I am also available to answer questions concerning this new process.
