The Iowa secretary of state’s rules implemented last year restricting how election officials verify absentee ballots is illegal, a state judge ruled Thursday, saying the secretary incorrectly interpreted state law. Polk County District Court Judge Karen Romano temporarily enjoined enforcement of the new rules last July, which was upheld by the Iowa Supreme Court, and her 10-page ruling issued Wednesday and released publicly Thursday permanently blocked the new rules from being enforced. The ruling prevents the state from implementing regulations regarding verifying a voter’s legitimacy if their absentee ballot lacks a voter-verification number.
Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate criticized the ruling and said he would appeal to the Iowa Supreme Court.
“Judge Romano’s decision puts the integrity and security of Iowa’s elections at risk, by making it easier to cheat,” Pate said in a statement Thursday. “The purpose of this rule is to ensure that county auditors obtain information missing from an absentee ballot request form from the source: the requesting voter.”
Full Article: Iowa Judge Strikes Down Absentee-Ballot Rules.