Voters approved two amendments to Iowa’s constitution , per the Associated Press.
Why it matters: The measures have longtime implications on the state’s voting laws and the way in which a lieutenant governor can be appointed.
State of play : One amendment , which was nominally about voting age rules, changes the state’s constitution to say “only” U.S. citizens can vote in elections, instead of “every” citizen. It passed the legislature with bipartisan support.
- However, advocates and voting experts recently warned it would bar future legislatures from amending state law to authorize noncitizens to vote in local elections, as has been done in some jurisdictions outside of Iowa.
Zoom in: The other amendment replaces a section of the state constitution that determines what happens when an Iowa governor resigns, dies or is removed from office.
- A lieutenant governor-turned-governor can now appoint someone to fill their former spot.
Flashback: The line of succession issue surfaced in 2017 when former Gov. Terry Branstad resigned after being appointed by former President Trump to serve as U.S. ambassador to China.