Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate issues the following statement regarding a lawsuit filed today by the Iowa Democratic Party, the DSCC, and DCCC:
“It is unfortunate that the Democratic Party is now opposed to a statewide mailing of absentee ballot request forms. They apparently only want voters in Democrat-heavy counties to request ballots, using request forms pre-filled with voters’ personal information. Not only would this lawsuit prevent my office from mailing absentee ballot request forms statewide, it would also remove additional flexibility for Iowa’s military, overseas, and healthcare facility voters.
The Democratic Party has already confused and potentially disenfranchised voters, and wasted taxpayer dollars in Linn, Woodbury and Johnson counties. Now they’re doubling down by suing over a lawful emergency directive that the bipartisan Iowa Legislative Council unanimously voted for, including their party’s House and Senate leaders.
We would encourage voters impacted by the decisions in Linn and Woodbury counties to utilize our mailing, which they will be receiving very soon. The official absentee ballot request form mailing from my office will go to all active registered voters in the state.” – Paul Pate, Iowa Secretary of State
The quotes below are taken directly from the judges’ rulings in Linn and Woodbury counties:
“It is implausible to conclude that near total completion of an absentee ballot application by the auditor is authorized under Iowa law where the legislature has specifically forbidden government officials from partially completing the same document.” – District Court Judge Ian Thornhill, Linn County
“The Defendant has knowingly violated the lawful directive of the Iowa Secretary of State in issuing the pre-populated ABR forms in this case.” – District Court Judge Patrick Tott, Woodbury County
