IOWA STATUTES AND CODES
39.3 - DEFINITIONS.
39.3 DEFINITIONS.
The definitions established by this section shall apply wherever
the terms so defined appear in this chapter and in chapters 39A, 43,
44, 45, 47, 48A through 53, and 68A unless the context in which any
such term is used clearly requires otherwise.
1. "Absentee ballot" means any ballot authorized by chapter
53.
2. "City" means a municipal corporation not including a
county, township, school district, or any special purpose district or
authority. When used in relation to land area, "city" includes
only the land area within the city limits.
3. "City election" means any election held in a city for
nomination or election of the officers thereof including a city
primary or runoff election.
4. "Commissioner" means the county commissioner of elections
as defined in section 47.2.
5. "Election" means a general election, primary election,
city election, school election or special election.
6. "Eligible elector" means a person who possesses all of the
qualifications necessary to entitle the person to be registered to
vote, whether or not the person is in fact so registered.
7. "General election" means the biennial election for
national or state officers, members of Congress and of the general
assembly, county and township officers, and for the choice of other
officers or the decision of questions as provided by law.
8. "Infamous crime" means a felony as defined in section
701.7, or an offense classified as a felony under federal law.
9. "Primary election" means that election by the members of
various political parties for the purpose of placing in nomination
candidates for public office held as required by chapter 43.
10. "Public measure" means any question authorized or
required by law to be submitted to the voters at an election.
11. "Registered voter" means a person who is registered to
vote pursuant to chapter 48A.
12. "Registrar" means the state registrar of voters
designated by section 47.7.
13. "Registration commission" means the state voter
registration commission established by section 47.8.
14. "School election" means that election held pursuant to
section 277.1.
15. "Special election" means any other election held for any
purpose authorized or required by law.
16. "State commissioner" means the state commissioner of
elections as defined in section 47.1.
17. "Written" and "in writing" may include any mode of
representing words or letters in general use. A signature, when
required by law, must be made by the writing or markings of the
person whose signature is required. If a person is unable due to a
physical disability to make a written signature or mark, that person
may substitute either of the following in lieu of a signature
required by law:
a. The name of the person with a disability written by
another upon the request and in the presence of the person with a
disability.
b. A rubber stamp reproduction of the name or facsimile of
the actual signature of the person with a disability when adopted by
that person for all purposes requiring a signature and then only when
affixed by that person or another upon the request and in the
presence of the person with a disability. Section History: Early Form
[C97, § 1089; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, § 720; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62,
66, 71, 73, § 49.2; C75, 77, 79, 81, § 39.3] Section History: Recent Form
93 Acts, ch 143, § 3; 94 Acts, ch 1169, §43, 65; 94 Acts, ch 1180,
§1; 2002 Acts, ch 1071, §7; 2002 Acts, ch 1134, §2, 115
Referred to in § 46.25, 48A.2, 48A.11, 275.1, 362.2