Bill > HF510

This bill modifies Iowa law regarding how city councils can fill vacancies in elected city offices by introducing a new mechanism for challenging special election petitions. Specifically, if a city council chooses to appoint someone to fill a vacant elected position and eligible voters file a petition demanding a special election instead, the council can now challenge that petition in district court if the remaining term is less than one year. The court can prevent the special election from occurring if it determines that conducting the election would be "unduly financially burdensome" for the city, in which case the original appointment would stand. The bill preserves the existing process where citizens can petition for a special election within 14 days of an appointment, but adds this new judicial review option for city councils when the remaining term is short. This change gives city councils an additional legal avenue to avoid the cost and administrative burden of holding a special election for a position with only a few months left in its term.

Government Affairs

Local Government (House)

https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ga=91&ba=HF510