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Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate has referred alleged noncitizens who voted in past elections for criminal prosecution and has directed county auditors to require about 2,000 potentially noncitizen individuals to vote provisionally in the upcoming election. Pate uncovered 87 people who self-reported that they are not citizens after voting in past elections and 67 more who registered to vote and later self-reported that they are not citizens. These names have been sent for potential criminal prosecution. Pate also flagged 2,022 people who stated they were not citizens to the Iowa Department of Transportation but later voted or registered to vote.
Political director Joe Henry of the League of United Latin American Citizens of Iowa expressed concern, believing Pate’s actions were politically motivated and may have a chilling effect on citizens, possibly leading to confusion or disenfranchisement. Pate defended his actions, stating the importance of ensuring that eligible citizens are able to vote and that no one is disenfranchised. The provisional ballots cast by the identified individuals will only be counted if they provide proof of citizenship to their county auditor by November 12.
Pate’s audit has received criticism from organizations like the ACLU of Iowa, which is seeking more information on the audit process and the accuracy of the information used. Pate has been cautious in previous interviews about widespread voter fraud in Iowa, noting the challenges noncitizens face when trying to obtain the necessary ID to vote. The push to strengthen voting laws in Iowa may continue as Pate works with state officials and the Iowa Legislature on further measures.
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