DES MOINES, Iowa — Election day is less than a month away, but Iowans headed to the ballot box won't just be casting their votes for presidential and congressional candidates.
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There are two statewide ballot measure that all Iowa voters will get to have their say on in November. Here's what they are and what they do.
Restricting noncitizen voting, raising primary voting age
Ballot text:
Section 1 of Article II of the Constitution of the State of Iowa, as amended by the amendment of 1970, is repealed and the following adopted in lieu thereof:
Only a citizen of the United States of the age of eighteen years, who shall have been a resident of this state for such period of time as shall be provided by law and of the county in which the citizen claims the citizen's vote for such period of time as shall be provided by law, shall be entitled to vote at all elections which are authorized by law. However, for purposes of a primary election, a United States citizen must be at least eighteen years of age as of the next general election following the primary election. The required periods of residence shall not exceed six months in this state and sixty days in the county.
Explanation:
This ballot measure would prevent local governments from allowing noncitizens to vote by specifying that "only" a citizen of the U.S. can vote, instead of "every" citizen in the U.S. Additionally, 17-year-old Iowans who will be 18 years old by the time of a general election would also be allowed to vote in primary elections.
Yes means supporting an addition to the state constitution that would specify only a citizen of the United States can vote. It also would allow 17-year-olds to vote in a primary election if they will be 18 years old by the time of the general election.
No means rejecting an addition to the state constitution that would specify only a citizen of the United States can vote. It also means not allowing 17-year-olds to vote in a primary election, even if they will be 18 years old by the time of the general election.
Gubernatorial line of succession
Ballot text:
Section 17 of Article IV of the Constitution of the State of Iowa is repealed and the following adopted in lieu thereof:
Lieutenant governor or lieutenant governor-elect to become or act as governor or governor-elect. If there is a temporary disability of the governor, the lieutenant governor shall act as governor until the disability is removed, or the governor dies, resigns, or is removed from office. In case of the death, resignation, or removal from office of the governor, the lieutenant governor shall become governor for the remainder of the term, which shall create a vacancy in the office of lieutenant governor. This section shall also apply, as appropriate, to the governor-elect and the lieutenant governor-elect.
Explanation:
This ballot measure would create a line of succession if the governor of Iowa dies, resigns or is otherwise removed from office. In this situation, the lieutenant governor would be able to take over and appoint a new lieutenant governor.
Yes means supporting the establishment of an official line of succession for the governor's office. If the governor leaves office, the lieutenant governor would take over the office and would have the authority to appoint a new lieutenant governor.
No means supporting current law, which has a lieutenant governor fulfilling the role of governor if the need arises but not providing the position with the power to appoint a new lieutenant governor.
