Iowa Election Officials Face Backlash Over Improper Voter Roll Removals
DES MOINES, Iowa – Iowa’s top election official, Secretary of State Paul Pate, has confirmed that certain voters were wrongly removed from registration rolls due to challenges filed too close to the upcoming election. This issue stems from challenges submitted within 90 days of the election—known as a "quiet period"—when minimal voter roll changes are permitted. Pate stated that he has instructed county auditors to consult their legal teams and reinstate affected voters, with most counties reportedly complying.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Iowa brought attention to this issue, noting that individuals reached out after being notified of investigations into their registration status. While the exact number of impacted voters remains undisclosed, the ACLU cited three counties experiencing mass challenges rooted in outdated data comparisons.
The National Voter Registration Act mandates a 90-day quiet period before elections, aiming to protect legitimate voters from administrative errors. Iowa also enforces a 70-day freeze period, during which most registration challenges must be filed. ACLU Legal Director Rita Bettis Austen expressed deep concern over these removals, describing them as potentially malicious and disruptive to the electoral process.
As the 2024 presidential election approaches, election officials nationwide are under pressure to address claims of widespread voter fraud—a belief largely fueled by former President Donald Trump’s unfounded allegations following the 2020 election. Recent scrutiny in Virginia serves as a backdrop, where voter purges have been contested in federal courts.
Additionally, Pate disclosed that the state recently identified over 2,000 individuals who previously claimed non-citizenship but later registered to vote. While he emphasized that these voters have not been removed from the rolls, their ballots will face scrutiny, giving them seven days to prove their citizenship status.
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