Des Moines, Iowa — (RI) — A proposed gun rights amendment for the Iowa Constitution that backers were aiming to get on the 2020 ballot is tabled because of inaction by the Republican secretary of state.
Secretary of State Paul Pate confirms his office failed to publish the required notice this summer because of what he calls a “bureaucratic oversight.” Republican Representative Matt Windschitl of Missouri Valley calls it a “monumental setback.”
Windschitl has been the lead lawmaker on a variety of gun-related proposals, including this one, and Windschitl told reporters his initial reaction to the situation “wouldn’t be publishable.”
And Windschitl says based on his reading of procedures, that means starting from scratch. The language for proposed amendments to Iowa’s constitution must be approve by two consecutive General Assemblies. That means 2022 is now the earliest the issue could be presented to voters.
But Windschitl says there is a “realm of uncertainty” for this proposal if Democrats regain control of the Iowa House or state Senate in 2020.
