Improper Voter Roll Removals Confirmed in Iowa
DES MOINES, IA — A recent announcement from Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate has confirmed concerns regarding the improper removal of voters from registration rolls due to challenges filed too close to the election. These removals stemmed from challenges made within a 90-day "quiet period," a designated timeframe before elections when significant changes to voter registrations are not permitted.
Pate revealed that county auditors may have inadvertently processed these removals after receiving challenges within this quiet period. To rectify the situation, Pate instructed county auditors to consult their legal teams and reinstate the affected voters. He expressed confidence that most counties have taken action to fix the removals.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Iowa recently raised alarms about this issue, as individuals reported being informed by county officials of their challenged registration statuses. While the exact number of voters removed remains unspecified, the ACLU indicated that multiple counties faced mass challenges to voter registrations.
In compliance with federal law, the National Voter Registration Act mandates a 90-day quiet period before elections to safeguard voter rights against bureaucratic errors. Iowa law imposes an additional 70-day challenge freeze, requiring that most challenges be submitted before August 27.
An example of this oversight occurred in Pottawattamie County, where one individual challenged 605 registrations just 71 days prior to the election, an action deemed invalid by federal standards. County auditor Melvyn Houser confirmed that those voters will be reinstated.
The situation has heightened scrutiny around election integrity, especially with rising accusations regarding non-citizen voting. Pate has also noted that individuals who previously claimed non-citizen status have yet to be removed from the rolls. Instead, their ballots will face challenges, allowing them to prove their citizenship within one week.
As the 2024 presidential election approaches, election officials nationwide are under pressure to ensure the integrity of voter rolls while balancing the need to protect legitimate voters’ rights.
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