Legislative Group Considers Proposed Voter Rule

Four-year-old Brynn Wilden (center) looks at her mother Janda's ballot as she accompanies her and her father Matt and her brother Luke, 20 months, to the polling place at the Vinton Skate & Activity Center on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012, in Vinton, Iowa. This is the first year that the Benton County community has consolidated voting precincts into one location. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette-KCRG)

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By Rachel Begle

Story Created: Jan 9, 2013 at 7:19 AM CDT

Story Updated: Jan 9, 2013 at 7:19 AM CDT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - A legislative committee is looking into a proposed new rule that establishes a process for removing voters from registration rolls if they can't prove citizenship.

Iowa Secretary of State Matt Schultz is pushing the rule saying it's needed because he believes people who are not U.S. citizens are registering to vote in Iowa.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa, Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement and other civil rights groups oppose the rule saying it intimidates minority voters especially Latino immigrants. The ACLU also says Schultz doesn't have the legal authority to pass the rule himself, instead it should be considered by the Legislature.

The Administrative Rules Review Committee is scheduled to hear input on the rule at 10:50 a.m. Wednesday.