Section 115.163

Title IX SUFFRAGE AND ELECTIONS

Chapter 115

Effective - 28 Aug 2002, 4 histories, see footnote   (history) 

  115.163.  Precinct register required — computer or binder lists authorized — computer I.D. cards, procedures and uses — list of registered voters available, fee. — 1. Each election authority shall arrange one set of registration cards into permanent binders for each precinct, or it may authorize the creation of computerized lists for each precinct. The computerized lists or binder shall be arranged alphabetically or by street address as the election authority determines and shall be known as the "precinct register". At least one set of registration cards shall be arranged in a central file in such a manner as the election authority determines, and shall be known as the "headquarters register". The election authority shall be the custodian of the registration records, and no cards or records shall be removed or handled except at its direction and under its supervision. The precinct registers shall be kept by the election authority in a secure place, except when given to election judges for use at an election. Except as provided in subsection 2 of section 115.157, all registration records shall be open to inspection by the public at all reasonable times.

  2. In counties using computer printouts as precinct registers, a new computer printout shall be printed prior to each election.

  3. In those counties using computer printouts as precinct registers, the election authority shall send to each voter a voter identification card no later than ninety days prior to the date of a primary or general election for federal office, unless the voter has received such a card during the preceding six months. The voter identification card shall contain the voter's name, address, precinct and a signature line. The card may also contain other voting information at the discretion of the election authority. The voter shall be instructed to sign the card for use as identification at the polls. The voter identification card shall be sent to a voter after a new registration or a change of address. If any voter shall lose his voter identification card he may request a new one from the election authority. The voter identification card authorized pursuant to this section may be used as a canvass of voters in lieu of the provisions set out in sections 115.179 to 115.193. Except as provided in subsection 2 of section 115.157, anyone, upon request and payment of a reasonable fee, may obtain a printout, list and/or computer tape of those newly registered voters or voters deleted from the voting rolls, since the last canvass or updating of the rolls. The election authority may authorize the use of the postal service contractors under the federal National Change of Address program to identify those voters whose address is not correct on the voter registration records. The election authority shall not be required to mail a voter registration card to those voters whose addresses are incorrect. Confirmation notices to such voters required by section 115.193 shall be sent to the corrected address provided by the National Change of Address program.

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(L. 1977 H.B. 101 § 7.085, A.L. 1983 S.B. 234, A.L. 1985 H.B. 620, A.L. 1986 H.B. 1471, et al., A.L. 1997 S.B. 132, A.L. 2002 S.B. 675)