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Senate passes election‑law changes including new citizenship declaration; ranked‑choice amendment defeated
Summary
House File 954 passed after hours of debate over a provision allowing on‑the‑spot challenges to a voter’s citizenship. An amendment to authorize ranked‑choice voting at the local level was defeated 13–34.
The Iowa Senate on April 7, 2025, passed House File 954, a package of election‑law changes that includes a signed declaration of U.S. citizenship on ballot affidavits and new procedures to challenge a voter’s citizenship at the polling place. The bill passed after a roll call in which 32 senators voted aye and 15 voted nay.
Debate centered on a provision that allows precinct election officials and third parties to challenge a person’s citizenship when the voter appears at the polls. Sponsor Senator Chris Rosenboom (R‑Marion) said the change is intended to give election officials additional…
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