Iowa sues Biden admin over citizenship data of over 2,000 registered voters
Iowa is taking legal action against the Biden administration for allegedly withholding access to citizenship status information of over 2,000 registered voters whose eligibility was questioned before the 2024 election. Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird and Secretary of State Paul Pate filed a lawsuit accusing the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) of not providing a list of noncitizens illegally registered to vote in Iowa.
The lawsuit, which also names the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas as defendants, claims that the lack of cooperation from federal authorities forced the state to rely on imperfect data to prevent illegal voting by noncitizens. The complaint outlines how state election officials cross-referenced voter rolls with a list of individuals who self-identified as noncitizens with the Department of Transportation. Many of these individuals had registered to vote or cast ballots, raising concerns about potential illegal voting.
As a result of the government’s refusal to disclose the necessary information, Pate instructed county elections officials to challenge ballots from individuals on the list and have them cast provisional ballots instead. This decision faced legal challenges from pro-voting groups, but a judge ultimately ruled in favor of allowing provisional ballots from those named on the list.
Preliminary data from 97 out of 99 counties indicated that at least 500 individuals on the list were able to prove their citizenship status and have their votes counted. However, 74 ballots were rejected, primarily because those individuals did not provide proof of citizenship. It was also noted that most people on the list did not participate in the 2024 election, according to county auditors.
The lawsuit highlights the importance of securing accurate citizenship status information to uphold the integrity of the electoral process. By holding federal agencies accountable for providing necessary data, Iowa aims to ensure that only eligible voters participate in elections. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
As the legal battle unfolds, it underscores the significance of transparency and cooperation between state and federal authorities in safeguarding the democratic process. This case serves as a reminder of the critical role that accurate voter information plays in upholding the principles of democracy and ensuring fair and transparent elections.
