HF2688 Summary

• Modifies school board vacancy procedures by changing the timeline for mandatory special elections from requiring a special election when one or more years remain in the unexpired term to requiring one only when more than two years remain, with appointments effective after 30 days unless a petition signed by 5% of district voters is filed within 30 days to reject the appointee.

• Authorizes county boards to appoint county auditors, county treasurers, county recorders, and auditor-treasurers without voter referendum if there is a vacancy due to resignation or death, or if a signed contract provides for appointment with retained tenure and benefits.

• Requires elected county officers to notify the county board at least 104 days before the filing deadline whether they will seek another term; if they decline and the board passes a resolution, affidavits of candidacy will not be accepted and the office will not appear on the ballot.

• Adds accessibility accommodations for political convention delegates including interpreter services for deaf, deafblind, and hard-of-hearing individuals, and provision of convention materials in audio tape, Braille, or large print formats for visually impaired delegates.

• Makes technical changes to election administration procedures including modifications to absentee ballot procedures, mail ballot processing timelines, county canvassing report requirements, and election dispute filing deadlines.