(Radio Iowa) – A bill to require that Iowans be a registered voter with a political party at least 30 days before voting in a primary or caucus has been revived in the Iowa House. The policy was discussed by lawmakers, but not adopted before the 2024 Iowa Caucuses. Republican Representative Derek Wulf of Hudson is sponsoring a bill on the topic this year.

“I served as a caucus captain last year…in rural Black Hawk County and there was a lot of concerns that came up of, you know, Democrats who were switching parties as they came into the caucus process. There was a lot of discussion around, ‘Was there going to be sabotage efforts?’ Wulf says. “I don’t know if we saw that widespread, but I know that concern came out of and that’s what this bill spawned out of.”

Iowa Capital Building

The bill has cleared a House subcommittee, but a Republican who agreed to support the bill today (Wednesday) said it needs work before it advances further. The bill would also require Republicans and Democrats who candidates for political office to have been a registered party member for at least a year before filing to run for office.