Registered voters included on a list sent last week to Johnson County election officials by Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate will start receiving overnight letters from Johnson County Auditor Erin Shane and Johnson County Attorney Rachel Zimmermann Smith, explaining the steps to take to ensure their vote is counted.  According to Pate, the list contains the names of 295 people who at some point in the past indicated to the Iowa DOT that they were non-citizens.

The letter sent yesterday by Auditor Shane and County Attorney Zimmermann Smith explains Pate’s directive and invites recipients to provide proof of United States citizenship to the Auditor’s Office to confirm their eligibility to vote, either prior to or on Election Day. The letter also explains to those who have already voted how to cure their ballot.

In addition to directing county auditors to require those on the list to file provisional ballots, Pate’s office also filed written challenges to all ballots cast by those on the list, even those who have not voted yet.  Anyone on the list who has already voted must take steps to cure their ballot.

In a joint statement, Shane and Zimmermann Smith said, “Protecting the integrity of our elections is our number one priority. However, we are concerned that the timing of Secretary Pate’s directive and challenges may discourage eligible voters from casting their ballots, or from having their votes count.  We are committed to making sure that those legally eligible to vote in Johnson County can vote safely and efficiently and have their votes counted. We remain vigilant in investigating and reporting any suspected misconduct or irregularity to the Secretary of State and law enforcement.”

If you have received one of our letters, you are encouraged to bring your identification and documentation of citizenship to the Office of the Johnson County Auditor at 913 South Dubuque Street, Iowa City, Iowa as soon as possible.  Questions can also be directed to the Auditor’s Office at (319) 356-6004 or [email protected].