Iowa State University put together a correspondence letting people know about voting in Iowa as it relates to “names and gender issues.”
“Voting can be tricky for people who have chosen a new name, are recently married or divorced, or who do not conform to the gender binary,” the document starts. “This handout describes some of the issues and pitfalls to watch out for when casting a vote in Iowa.”
The document says that even though the policies might appear “outdated, unfriendly or even discriminatory, please know that your vote and your voice matter. Iowa State encourages all its students to be civically engaged and to vote.”
Students are instructed to use their legal name even if it is their “dead name.” They are also told should they vote absentee by mail, there is no need to produce an ID to vote.
Students are warned that Iowa voter registration forms require voters indicate if they are male or female.
“There is no choice for individuals who identify as non-binary,” it states. They’re also told they can re-register to vote with a new name and, if appropriate, change their gender identity.
