GOP push to limit state's ability to encourage absentee voting draws intense scrutiny

DES MOINES, Iowa (IOWA'S NEWS NOW) — Record turnout in last week's primaries was largely credited to accessible absentee voting But a bill at the statehouse would prevent similar actions from being taken this fall. Anger over the proposal boiled over during a late night debate at the State Capitol Friday. The 30-page amendment was tacked onto a one page bill dictating the use of county seals. The amendment would put in place a series of new election rules in Iowa. Among the most notable, barring the Secretary of State from sending out absentee ballot request forms to every registered voter in Iowa. That's something Secretary Paul Pate, a Republican, did in the weeks leading up to the June primary.

The original bill had already unanimously passed the House. Democrats loudly voiced their anger that such a complex amendment would be attached to a minor bill.

"So I’m not gonna support this, ever, but I sure think that the abuse that went down with that ruling, is beyond the pale.” Said Senator Tony Bisignano, Democrat from Des Moines.

If Republicans rally around the amendment, there's little Democrats can do to stop it, because Republicans have a clear majority in the House and Senate and there is no filibuster rule in Iowa. The proposal comes just days after an overwhelming majority of Iowans who voted in last week's primary did so thanks to absentee voting. Secretary Pate sent out request forms to every registered voter, hoping to make it easier for Iowans to vote by mail, and preventing busy polling places from further spreading the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic.

In Linn County alone, nearly 85% of all votes cast came in via absentee. But some Republicans, including President Trump, believe that mail-in voting leads to rampant fraud. "I think mail-in voting is a terrible thing." President Trump said. But there is no evidence anywhere in the country of widespread fraud because of additional options to vote absentee.

"Why are we coming out of one of the most successful elections, across the state, in Linn County, why are we doing this?" Said Linn County Auditor Joel Miller. "Why are we being punished for what appears to be a very fantastic election from turnout and the way it was run."

In a letter to lawmakers, the State Association of County Auditors said: "We hope that the legislature will reject House File 2486, not just in response to the concerns of county auditors, but out of respect to the hundreds of thousands of Iowa voters who just exercised their rights in the most basic act of democratic government, without having to choose between their rights and their health. “

During this week's taping of 'Iowa Press' for Iowa PBS, Republican leaders at the statehouse didn't comment directly on the proposal, but said they want to make sure campaigns know the rules of the election before voting beings.

"We can’t go into an election with unknowns as will absentees be mailed out or will they not, will date changes be from 29 to 49." Said Sen. Jack Whitver, Republican Majority Leader.

"I think it’s the legislature weighing in and providing that clarity moving into November." Said Rep. Pat Grassley, Republican Speaker of the Iowa House.

In a statement, Secretary Paul Pate declined to weigh in directly on the proposal, but instead said: “My goal was to protect Iowa voters and poll workers while finding ways to conduct a clean and fair election. We had record high turnout for a June primary. Iowans did not let COVID-19 prevent them from voting. I stand by my decisions.”