Federal Judge Greenlights Non-Citizen Ballot Disputes in Iowa
Federal Judge Greenlights Non-Citizen Ballot Disputes in Iowa

In a surprising revelation, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has confirmed that hundreds of noncitizens are on Iowa’s voter rolls. And yet, incredibly, the DHS refuses to share who these individuals are with state officials.

That’s right: federal authorities know there are noncitizens registered to vote, but Iowa is left in the dark. This comes just as election season reaches a fever pitch and Americans head to the polls, raising serious questions about election security. When noncitizens are on voter rolls, the integrity of our democracy is at stake.

Election security isn’t just a talking point; it’s the foundation of our country. If we allow non-Americans to vote, it threatens the principle of “one person, one vote” that democracy rests upon.

Imagine the influence of noncitizen votes in swing states, where a few thousand ballots could sway results. A secure election isn’t a partisan issue—it’s an American issue. Without it, we risk eroding the very fabric of our country.

From Fox News:
A federal judge has allowed Iowa officials to continue disputing ballots cast by potential noncitizens, less than two days before Election Day.

Judge Stephen Locher, an appointee of President Biden, ruled in favor of the Hawkeye State on Sunday. The state was being sued by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) on behalf of four recently-documented U.S. citizens and the League of Latin American Citizens of Iowa.

Iowa Fights Back

In response to the DHS’s revelation, Iowa officials are doubling down on their commitment to protect election integrity. Just days before the election, a federal judge upheld Iowa’s right to dispute ballots cast by potential noncitizens.

Judge Stephen Locher, appointed by President Biden, ruled that the state can challenge votes cast by questionable registrants. Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate has said officials are investigating over 2,000 voter registrations that could belong to noncitizens.

Pate held a press conference on October 30, explaining Iowa’s proactive stance. “We have questions, and we need answers,” he stated, emphasizing that the investigation’s purpose is to confirm each voter’s citizenship status.

He clarified that none of the flagged individuals would be removed from voter rolls; they would simply be asked to use provisional ballots until their citizenship status is verified. This approach protects election integrity without infringing on lawful citizens’ right to vote.

The ACLU Pushes Back

Naturally, not everyone agrees with Iowa’s efforts. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed a lawsuit on behalf of four newly-naturalized citizens, claiming that Iowa’s actions are a threat to voters’ rights. The ACLU argues that recent immigrants could be discouraged from voting due to fear of scrutiny. However, Judge Locher’s ruling clarified that Iowa’s intention is to uphold the law without removing anyone from the rolls unnecessarily.

The ACLU’s argument rests on the idea that provisional ballots and extra checks could create barriers for naturalized citizens. But Iowa’s officials say the process is straightforward: it merely allows poll workers to verify citizenship so every legitimate vote counts. “We owe an obligation to make sure that they are citizens now,” Pate said, explaining that each challenged vote would be counted once citizenship is confirmed.

Polling Games and Media Narratives

As if the noncitizen voting controversy weren’t enough, Iowa’s political landscape was further shaken by a new poll that shows Kamala Harris with a narrow lead in the state. According to this poll, Harris has a surprising three-point edge over Donald Trump, contradicting reports that Iowa leans solidly red.

The Trump campaign immediately disputed the poll’s accuracy, calling it an outlier and pointing to Emerson College’s more conservative-leaning data, which they say better reflects Iowa’s voter base.

At a rally in Pennsylvania, Trump was quick to label these recent polls “fake,” criticizing both the media and polling agencies for creating a biased narrative. “The polls are just as corrupt as some of the writers back there,” he said, pointing out that polls often seem to shift mysteriously in favor of left-leaning candidates.

Trump’s skepticism is shared by many who remember how polls grossly underestimated his support in 2016 and 2020.

Polls, Provisional Ballots, and Election Integrity

So, what’s really going on here? It’s a tangled web of pollsters, lawsuits, and federal agencies that seem reluctant to cooperate with states. Noncitizens appearing on voter rolls and inaccurate polling results create a recipe for chaos.

And at a time when the Biden administration is under fire for allowing porous borders, the notion of noncitizen voting is deeply unsettling to many Americans.

Election integrity depends on transparency. When agencies like DHS refuse to provide clear information about noncitizens on the rolls, they raise more questions than they answer.

Iowa’s move to enforce provisional ballots for potentially ineligible voters isn’t a drastic measure; it’s a sensible one. After all, if every vote counts, shouldn’t we make sure that every vote is legitimate?

Key Takeaways

  • DHS confirms hundreds of noncitizens on Iowa’s voter rolls but won’t reveal their identities, sparking security fears.
  • A federal judge backs Iowa’s right to verify citizenship before counting questionable ballots.
  • Despite one poll showing Harris in the lead, the Trump campaign challenges the accuracy, highlighting Iowa’s conservative base.

Source: Daily Wire, Fox News

November 4, 2024
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Mick Farthing
Mick is a freelance writer, cartoonist, and graphic designer. He is a regular contributor for the Patriot Journal.
Mick is a freelance writer, cartoonist, and graphic designer. He is a regular contributor for the Patriot Journal.