Recount laws in Iowa

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An election recount is a process by which votes cast in an election are re-tabulated to verify the accuracy of the original results. Recounts typically occur in the event of a close margin of victory, following accusations of election fraud, or due to the possibility of administrative errors. Recounts can either occur automatically or be requested by a candidate or voters.


Note: The content below describes recount procedures in Iowa. The information on this page is not intended to serve as a manual for those seeking to start or halt a recount; individuals seeking more information about specific processes and requirements should contact their state election agencies.

Summary of recount laws

The list below shows answers to common questions regarding recounts in Iowa.[1]

  • Does state law require automatic recounts?
    • No.
  • When must an automatic recount be completed?
    • There are no automatic recounts in this state.
  • Can a recount be requested?
    • Yes. No margin is required, but margins affect who is responsible for costs. The recount can be requested up to three days after the county canvass. The deadline for completion is 18 days after the county canvass.
  • Who pays for a requested recount?
    • Varies. The state, if the results are within certain close vote margins described below. The requester, if the results are outside of those margins.
  • Is a refund available for requested recount costs?
    • For candidates, costs paid by the requester are refunded if the recount changes the election outcome. For voters, there is no mention of a refund if the recount changes the election outcome.
  • Can a partial recount be requested?
    • Yes.

Iowa recount procedures

Automatic recount procedures

Iowa does not require automatic recounts.

Requested recount procedures

Any candidate may request a recount. If the margin of victory separating candidates is 50 votes or 1% of the total number of votes cast, whichever is greater, the state covers the cost of the recount. In all other instances, the candidate is responsible for costs associated with the recount. Costs paid by the candidate are refunded if the recount changes the election outcome.

Voter(s) may request a recount on a ballot measure by submitting a petition under the following guidelines:

“

The petition shall be signed by the greater of not less than ten eligible electors or a number of eligible electors equaling one percent of the total number of votes cast upon the public measure. Each petitioner must be a person who was entitled to vote on the public measure in question or would have been so entitled if registered to vote. [2]

”
—IA Code § 50.49

The voter(s) making the request are responsible for costs associated with the recount. State law does not mention whether voter(s) are refunded if the recount changes the election outcome.

In the above two instances, the recount can be requested up to three days after the county canvass. For a city runoff election the written request must be made on the day following the county board’s canvass of the election. The deadline for completion is 18 days after the county canvass.

An election official may also request a recount paid for by the state if he or she suspects voting equipment malfunctions or receives reports of counting errors. State law does not specify deadlines for the completion of such a requested recount but does indicate that the request may be made after the canvass.

For more information about recount procedures in Iowa, click here.

Iowa voting equipment

See also: Voting methods and equipment by state

Iowa uses paper ballots for its elections.[3]

50-state overview of recount laws

The table below summarizes where state laws allow for automatic and requested recounts. Click "show" to view the table.

As of July 2024, state law in 48 states included a recount provision, automatic recounts are possible in 27 states, and requested recounts are possible in 43 states.


50-state overview of requested recounts

The table below summarizes how requested recounts are paid for and whether it is possible for candidates to request a partial recount. Click "show" to view the table.

As of July 2024, the requester of a recount pays for the recount in 23 states, the state pays in six states, and in 12 states it depends on the circumstances of the election or the recount. In 27 states a refund may be available for a requested recount, in 12 states a refund depends on the circumstances of the recount, and in four states no refund is available. Requested recounts are not possible in the remaining seven states. In 28 states a partial recount may be requested.


State legislation

The table below lists bills related to recounts introduced during (or carried over to) Iowa's regular legislative session this year. The following information is included for each bill:

  • State
  • Bill number
  • Official bill name or caption
  • Most recent action date
  • Legislative status
  • Sponsor party
  • Topics dealt with by the bill

Bills are organized by most recent action. The table displays up to 100 results. To view more bills, use the arrows in the upper-right corner. Clicking on a bill will open its page on Ballotpedia's Election Administration Legislation Tracker, which includes bill details and a summary.

See also

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Iowa State Legislature, "Chapter 50," accessed April 9, 2024
  2. ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
  3. ↑ Verified Voting, "The Verifier - Polling Place Equipment - Current," accessed April 9, 2024
  4. ↑ Citizens for Election Integrity Minnesota, "Arizona Recount Laws," accessed March 19, 2024
  5. ↑ A court may order a recount under Arizona law.
  6. ↑ This category encompasses instances where the state government pays for recounts and those states where counties pay.
  7. ↑ A recount alone cannot change the election results, but can be used to contest the election. At the end of that process, the court may choose not to levy costs against the prevailing party.
  8. ↑ Recounts occur as part of a contested election. A requester may be required to cover costs before the start of such an event. The court may choose to require the unsuccessful party in a contested election to cover the costs, which could involve a refund to the requester if he or she is the successful party.
  9. ↑ In the case of a court-ordered recount, candidates must pay, but will be refunded if the outcome changes. Regarding non-court-ordered recounts, state law does not mention whether the candidate is refunded in such a case.
  10. ↑ The state covers requested recounts of statewide constitutional amendments. The requester covers all other recounts.
  11. ↑ For local and county ballot measure elections, state law does not mention the possibility of a refund. For all other recounts, costs paid by the requester are refunded if the recount changes the election outcome.
  12. ↑ No mention in state law.
  13. ↑ No mention in state law.
  14. ↑ The state pays for candidate-requested recounts. The requester pays for voter-requested recounts of ballot measures.
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