On February 23, the Iowa Senate passed SF 413. It makes the petitions for independent candidates, and the nominees of unqualified parties, more difficult. The statewide petition for President, Governor and U.S. Senator rises from 1,500 to 3,500 signatures. Furthermore, the bill requires 100 signatures from each of 19 counties. That part of the bill would be unconstitutional.
Similar provisions in HF 590 have already passed the House Committee on State Government, but the full House hasn’t passed that bill yet.
The bills have many unrelated provisions, such as shrinking voting hours on election day, and cutting the early voting period, and requiring postal ballots to be returned sooner. The Secretary of State and all 99 County Auditors (who run elections in Iowa) are opposed to the bill.
Straight party-line vote, 32-18. 10 House Republicans would need to flip in order to stop this bill from passing. Odds are the last line of defense will come in the courts.
The part of this bill about reducing the hours the polling places are open on election is particularly terrible. If anything, the polling places should be open longer on election day.
EDIT: 30-18 was the vote.
Just following command orders from DNC/RNC in Devil City.
No one commands me from a Devil City.