Iowa Administrative Code
Agency 721 - Secretary of State
Division II - Elections
Chapter 26 - Counting Votes
Rule 721-26.21 - Corrections by Voter
A vote for an office or question shall be counted if the voter has marked the ballot in a manner that will be counted as an overvote by automatic tabulating equipment but the voter has indicated in a clear fashion that the voter has made a mistake. The correction shall be honored if the correction does not include an identifying mark in violation of Iowa Code section 39A.4(1) "a"(6) or 49.92.
EXAMPLE A: Correction. The voter has crossed out the mark for one candidate and has written in the names of two persons on the write-in lines. Two persons are to be elected to the county board of supervisors.
For Board of Supervisors
(Vote for no more than two.)
This example shows a vote for Margaret Allen and a vote for Bob Burns. The voter has clearly crossed out the mark for CANDIDATE 3.
EXAMPLE B: Identifying mark. The voter has corrected a mistake by crossing out a marked voting target and has also initialed the correction.
For Board of Supervisors
(Vote for no more than two.)
This example does not show a vote. The initials next to the correction identify the voter.Do not count any votes on this ballot pursuant to Iowa Code section 39A.4(1) "a"(6) or 49.92. Follow the procedure in rule 26.14(50).
EXAMPLEC: Erasure. The voter has attempted to erase one marked voting target and has marked another voting target. Two persons are to be elected to the county board of supervisors.
For Board of Supervisors
(Vote for no more than two.)
This example shows a vote for CANDIDATE 3. The voter has attempted to erase the mark for CANDIDATE 2. Count this as a vote for CANDIDATE 3.
