2009 Iowa Code
Title 2 - Elections and Official Duties
Subtitle 1 - Elections
CHAPTER 49 - METHOD OF CONDUCTING ELECTIONS
49.104 - PERSONS PERMITTED AT POLLING PLACES.

        49.104  PERSONS PERMITTED AT POLLING PLACES.
         The following persons shall be permitted to be present at and in
      the immediate vicinity of the polling places, provided they do not
      solicit votes:
         1.  Any person who is by law authorized to perform or is charged
      with the performance of official duties at the election.
         2.  Any number of persons, not exceeding three at a time from each
      political party having candidates to be voted for at such election,
      to act as challenging committees, who are appointed and accredited by
      the executive or central committee of such political party or
      organization.
         3.  Any number of persons not exceeding three at a time from each
      of such political parties, appointed and accredited in the same
      manner as above prescribed for challenging committees, to witness the
      counting of ballots. Subject to the restrictions of section 51.11,
      the witnesses may observe the counting of ballots by a counting board
      during the hours the polls are open in any precinct for which double
      election boards have been appointed.
         4.  Any peace officer assigned or called upon to keep order or
      maintain compliance with the provisions of this chapter, upon request
      of the commissioner or of the chairperson of the precinct election
      board.
         5.  One observer at a time representing any nonparty political
      organization, any candidate nominated by petition pursuant to chapter
      45, or any other nonpartisan candidate in a city or school election,
      appearing on the ballot of the election in progress.  Candidates who
      send observers to the polls shall provide each observer with a letter
      of appointment in the form prescribed by the state commissioner.
         6.  Any persons expressing an interest in a ballot issue to be
      voted upon at an election except a general or primary election.  Any
      such person shall file a notice of intent to serve as an observer
      with the commissioner before election day.  If more than three
      persons file a notice of intent to serve at the same time with
      respect to ballot issues at an election, the commissioner shall
      appoint from those submitting a notice of intent the three persons
      who may serve at that time as observers, and shall provide a schedule
      to all persons who filed notices of intent.  The appointees, whenever
      possible, shall include both opponents and proponents of the ballot
      issues.
         7.  Any person authorized by the commissioner, in consultation
      with the secretary of state, for the purposes of conducting and
      attending educational voting programs for youth.
         8.  Reporters, photographers, and other staff representing the
      news media.  However, representatives of the news media, while
      present at or in the immediate vicinity of the polling places, shall
      not interfere with the election process in any way.  

         Section History: Early Form

         [C97, § 1124; S13, § 1087-a9; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, § 571, 821;
      C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, § 43.43, 49.104; C75, 77, 79, 81,
      S81, § 49.104; 81 Acts, ch 34, § 32] 

         Section History: Recent Form

         90 Acts, ch 1238, §23; 94 Acts, ch 1180, §17; 97 Acts, ch 170, §
      55; 2008 Acts, ch 1115, §100
         Referred to in § 39A.4, 49.77, 51.11