Iowa election officials demonstrate voting system security ahead of primary

DES MOINES, Iowa (Gray Media Iowa State Capitol Bureau) - With Iowa’s gubernatorial primary less than two months away, election officials say the state’s voting system is secure.

Polk County election officials gave voters a behind-the-scenes look at how they are preparing for the upcoming election. Officials tested ballot counting machines ahead of the June 2 primary.

The goal was to show exactly how ballots are processed and counted and to give voters more confidence in the system.

Secretary of State Paul Pate said he wants to cut through what he calls the political noise and focus on the facts.

“The noise, the political noise out of Washington D.C., it might come out. That’s noise. We’re going to try and give you the facts so you’ll be empowered to make sure your voice gets heard and you get to vote,” Pate said.

Members of Congress are working on the SAVE Act. The proposal would add stricter requirements for registering to vote and proving citizenship.

Both Secretary Pate and Polk County Auditor Jamie Fitzgerald said Iowa already has one of the strongest election systems in the country.

“We’re gonna see it as we get closer. We’ve seen it before, we’ve seen it in 2020. This is not new to us. Your local county auditor, secretary of state, isn’t going to overreact. So if you see something on TV or question it, go ahead and get a hold of your local county auditor,” Fitzgerald said.

The primary will decide who becomes the Republican candidate for governor. Pate said he expects solid turnout for some congressional races, but November’s election will likely draw the biggest crowds to the polls.