DES MOINES, Iowa - The Iowa Senate has passed a contentious bill which would prevent the secretary of state from mailing absentee voting applications without a written request from a voter.
Two Republicans joined all Democrats in opposing the measure, which passed by a 30-19 vote.
Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate, a Republican, mailed absentee voting applications to all registered voters for the June 2nd primary, which set a record for turnout - more than 520,000 votes cast - and drew 80 percent from absentee votes.
Senate Republicans first advanced the bill last Friday, four days after the primary election.
The measure also would prohibit county auditors from decreasing the number of polling places by more than 35%, which happened in some counties during the primary in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
A third component requires verification on absentee ballots.
The bill now goes to the Iowa House. Governor Kim Reynolds has not said whether she'll support the measure.
The bill essentially limits the power of election officials to adjust election rules during an emergency.
The legislation was added in an amendment to a non-controversial bill that deals with county seals and their placement on ballots