A bill that is still alive in the Iowa Legislature is focused on changing portions of elections in the state.

Part of Senate File 2380 would do away with ballot drop boxes that were passed and signed into law a few years ago. District 24 Senator Jesse Green (R-Boone) says the drop boxes were put in place during the covid pandemic, but now he has heard from several county auditors that it is a burden and an expense to have them.

“You have to have a camera, you have to check them every single day and every night. Some auditors just felt that was just not necessary. I would say the biggest push back on this bill is that, is that right now it’s an optional thing for auditors to do. During covid I believe it was mandatory. So like that, to me, is the biggest push back.” 

Another part of the bill is to allow convicted felons to run for federally-elected office. When asked about the opposition saying that this bill would keep former President Donald Trump on the ballot in Iowa if he is convicted as a felon, Senator Green comments that Iowa should be above what the national scene has played out concerning this topic.

“Yeah on the surface it would appear strange that a felon would run for president, but hey if we truly believe in our Constitutional Republic and our way of life, and how we elect our presidents, we’ve entered into some new territory here. I think we need to honor and respect our Constitution.”  

You can click the link below to see the legislation.

https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ga=90&ba=SF%202380