Report by Joziphene Luneckas-Broomhall, Knight Vision News
Two Iowa civil rights organizations took Secretary of State, Paul Pate to court to fight what they say is voter suppression. A list put out by Pate identified over 2000 registered Iowa voters his office said should be challenged by county auditors due to questionable citizenship status. just 14 days before the election.
On Wednesday, October 30th, the American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa (ACLU), and their attorneys filed a federal lawsuit against Pate and other named election officials on behalf of four naturalized citizens on the list, and the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) of Iowa
While the injunction was denied by the Court on Sunday, November 3rd, LULAC says the lawsuit pushed Pate’s office to confirm the citizenship of 88 percent of names, identifying them as naturalized citizens and removing them from the list.
Joe Henry, political director of LULAC Iowa, spoke with Joziphene Luneckas-Broomhall about the lawsuit, its intentions, and the manifestation of voter suppression laws in Iowa. Pate’s office responded to our inquiry, sharing a press release, press conference footage and his statements in response to the lawsuit.
