The Iowa House of Representatives has passed an election reform bill passed by the Iowa Senate this week.
House File 590 passed by a 57-37 vote. All Republicans voted for the measure, all democrats opposed. Six representatives were absent for the vote.
The bill would reduce the number of early voting days, bar county auditors from sending out absentee ballot request forms without voters requesting them first, and require absentee ballots to arrive by the time polls close for them to be counted.
Republicans say this bill is about affirming election security and integrity in Iowa.
"This is a good bill. It does not suppress a single vote," said Republican Representative Bobby Kaufmann. "What do you when you have a successful year?...You look at what you did right, what you did wrong, and make improvements. That's what this bill does."
Democrats say that's not the case, and that this bill would disenfranchise some Iowa voters.
"This is nothing about security. Our elections are already secure," said Democrat Representative Mary Mascher. "I think it's important for everyone in here to know that there will be some Iowans who are disenfranchised, and we just need to be honest about that when you go home and talk to your voters."
An amendment in the bill would close polls at 8 p.m. statewide instead of at 9 p.m.
The bill now awaits Governor Kim Reynolds' signature