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.

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.

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.

“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.

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.