Connect with us

Iowa

Iowa is monitoring election threats, says Secretary of State Paul Pate

Published

on

Iowa is monitoring election threats, says Secretary of State Paul Pate


State and federal officers are warning Iowans to be looking out for disinformation forward of Iowa’s Tuesday major election.

On the identical time, they are saying Iowans ought to relaxation assured their votes will likely be counted precisely.

Greater than 64,000 Iowans have already voted early within the election, which can decide the Democratic and Republican candidates in dozens of races for the U.S. Senate, Congress, the Iowa Legislature and county workplaces.

Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate mentioned his workplace is coordinating with county auditors, in addition to federal and state legislation enforcement, to observe and stop threats to voters.

Advertisement

Extra:Who’s operating in Iowa’s June 7 major election? This is what voters have to know

“My employees has open strains of communication with all 99 counties. We will likely be there to help them with any points that come up tomorrow,” he mentioned at a information convention Monday. “My workplace and your native election officers are one of the best sources for dependable election info. Don’t fall for this misinformation or disinformation wave that we’ve seen lately.”

Iowa has a number of election safety measures that ought to assist reassure Iowans that their votes will likely be counted precisely, Pate mentioned. These embody utilizing paper ballots, conducting pre- and post-election audits to make sure votes had been counted accurately, voter ID, using bipartisan groups of ballot staff and coordinating towards cyber threats.

“I can’t emphasize sufficient the integrity of the vote and the security of the voters are my prime priorities,” Pate mentioned. “So we wish you to go on the market, we wish to be certain your voice is heard and we wish you to be a voter.”

Stephan Bayens, commissioner of the Iowa Division of Public Security, mentioned the division is monitoring for digital and bodily threats involving elections.

Advertisement

Beforehand:Gov. Kim Reynolds indicators legislation shortening Iowa’s early and Election Day voting

He mentioned voters ought to be looking out for misinformation, which may take the type of inflammatory accusations or incorrect info designed to trigger confusion.

“Traditionally, misinformation has centered round alleged modifications to polling places and hours and false political narratives designed to unfold concern and mistrust,” he mentioned. “We encourage all Iowans to be aware of such efforts and to solely depend on trusted info from state and native election officers.”

Iowa’s congressional and legislative districts have modified for the reason that final federal election in 2020, and a few polling locations have modified, which may add to voter confusion.

Iowa coordinates election cybersecurity efforts with state, county and federal officers, in addition to the personal sector. The state has relaunched a cybersecurity operations middle that can present 24-hour-a-day monitoring of cyber threats.

Advertisement

“I’m assured in Iowa’s cybersecurity posture and the work our state and federal and state companions have achieved in preparation for this yr’s elections,” mentioned Shane Dwyer, a chief info safety officer for the state.

Extra:This is the right way to vote on Election Day in Iowa’s major for U.S. Senate, Congress, state legislature

In a information launch, Pate mentioned Iowa has obtained nationwide awards for its election cybersecurity efforts and was lately named the third greatest state within the nation for election administration.

John Benson, director of the Iowa Division of Homeland Safety and Emergency Administration, mentioned the state obtained federal grant cash this yr to purchase new safety tools for county auditors in 21 counties so they might be capable to extra safely retailer their election tools.

It is a crime to intimidate, threaten or coerce a voter — or try to take action — so as to stress the individual into registering to vote or into voting. It is also unlawful to maintain an individual from registering to vote or from voting. Iowa legislation additionally incorporates penalties for loitering, congregating, electioneering, soliciting votes or hindering voters on the polling place.

Advertisement

If a voter sees somebody they consider is illegally electioneering or intimidating voters on the polls, they need to inform the ballot staff at their precinct, Pate mentioned.

“They know what procedures to take,” he mentioned. “It’d contain the whole lot from simply asking them to stop and desist to having to name the sheriff to come back in and cope with that particular person or no matter group is perhaps doing it.”

Stephen Gruber-Miller covers the Iowa Statehouse and politics for the Register. He might be reached by e-mail at sgrubermil@registermedia.com or by cellphone at 515-284-8169. Comply with him on Twitter at @sgrubermiller.





Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Iowa

Iowa Hawkeyes Connected to Overwhelming Bowl Expectation

Published

on

Iowa Hawkeyes Connected to Overwhelming Bowl Expectation


Kirk Ferentz and the Iowa Hawkeyes were able to take care of business on Saturday against the Maryland Terrapins. Now, they head into their final game of the regular season this coming Saturday against the Nebraska Cornhuskers with a 7-4 record.

Iowa will be headed to a bowl game following their game against Nebraska. However, the real question ends up being, which bowl game will they play in?

At this point in time, the Hawkeyes seem to be trending towards playing in one bowl game in particular.

Here are a few of the bowl game projections that have been put out there by analysts:

Advertisement

Obviously, the ReliaQuest Bowl seems to be the clear favorite when it comes to what game Iowa will play in.

Looking at some of the matchups that have been suggested, there is the potential for a very entertaining game.

Going up against Ole Miss, South Carolina, or Alabama would be a very difficult test for the Hawkeyes. Any of those three games would give them a great test to end the 2024 season.

There is still one game that needs to be played. A win over the Cornhuskers would have them ending their season at 8-4. After that game, it will be a wait and see approach as to which bowl game Iowa will play.

All of that being said, seeing this projections should bring excitement to the Hawkeyes’ fan base. None of them would be easy games, but the matchups would give Iowa a chance to end the season with a major upset and to head into the offseason on a high note.

Advertisement



Source link

Continue Reading

Iowa

SYC: Iowa Big project focuses on helping unsheltered

Published

on

SYC: Iowa Big project focuses on helping unsheltered


CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – A group of Cedar Rapids High School students are making sure people without a home have the essentials this winter.

Gavin Cornwell and his team of Iowa Big students filled 100 bags this week with a little bit of everything.

“We have some fruit roll-ups, some gushers, and a granola bar,” said Cornwell.

For this team, it’s more than just a class. Once done, the bags will go to the unsheltered population living at the winter overflow homeless shelter.

Advertisement

“People really don’t understand, everyone has their own story,” said Cornwell.

These care packages will go to each person who stays at the low-barrier shelter this winter.

“We kind of grabbed the basic necessities to include in these care packages to give them some cheer this holiday season,” he said.

The homeless population in Linn County grew by more than 40% in 2024. Denine Rushing oversees operations at the overflow shelter and said the bags provide items that those who sleep at the shelter might not otherwise get.

“Being able to have these bags that they can just throw in their backpacks or in a bag or just carry with them and utilize throughout the day,” said Rushing. “I think it is going to be really helpful for people.”

Advertisement

Rushing expected to see more people utilize the shelter this year, especially during snow events and bitter cold temperatures.

“You really have to kind of have things on the go, things that you can kind of just grab and take with you while you are out and about throughout the day,” said Rushing.

Cornwell said they planned to hand the bags out this Monday at the shelter. A place this Prairie High School senior is now closer to, a place that was more visible thanks to this school-based project.

“You might drive by and you might see somebody experiencing homelessness but you don’t really know what they’re experiencing,” said Cornwell.

Advertisement



Source link

Continue Reading

Iowa

Iowa State women get back on track, hold off in-state rival Drake

Published

on

Iowa State women get back on track, hold off in-state rival Drake


Returning to Hilton Coliseum was just what the Iowa State women needed, as the eighth-ranked Cyclones held off Drake Sunday afternoon in Ames, 80-78.

Returning sophomore standout Audi Crooks had the game-winning bucket with just :00.3 seconds left in the game, finishing off a 33-point effort to lead Iowa State (5-1). 

Crooks, a preseason honorable mention All-American, added four rebounds to her night while shooting 15 of 25 from the field. 

Emily Ryan had a double-double, scoring 11 points while dishing out 12 assists. Addy Brown added 13 points and Mackenzie Hare chipped in 10. Brown led the team with eight rebounds while Ryan had six with two steals. 

Advertisement

Arianna Jackson had three steals and no turnovers in almost 31 minutes of action. 

For Drake, another former Iowa prep standout put up a big number vs. the Cyclones, as Katie Dinnebier knocked down eight 3-pointers and scored a game-high 39 points. Anna Miller had 18 with eight rebounds, as Dinnebier also had five rebounds, two steals and two assists. 

The win marked the 300th non-conference victory for Iowa State under Bill Fennelly all-time, as he improved to 616-314 with the Cyclones and 782-367 overall in his coaching career. 

Iowa State added to its NCAA-record streak for consecutive games with a made 3-pointer, stretching it to 933 straight. 

Up next for the Cyclones will be defending national champion South Carolina on Thanksgiving at 12:30 p.m. on FOX. The Gamecocks had their 43-game win streak snapped with a 77-62 loss in Los Angeles.

Advertisement



Source link

Continue Reading

Trending