Judge Allows Iowa to Challenge Voter Ballots

A federal judge has ruled that Iowa election officials can continue to challenge the ballots of 2,176 registered voters identified as potential noncitizens, as directed by Secretary of State Paul Pate. This decision is seen as a victory for election integrity by Pate and other state officials, allowing provisional ballots for those challenged, which will be counted if citizenship is proven. The ACLU argued that the directive was based on outdated records and could disenfranchise legitimate voters, particularly recent naturalized citizens. Judge Stephen Locher cited that approximately 12% of the challenged voters are indeed non-citizens, thus supporting the state's efforts to prevent illegal voting. Critics express concerns that this could suppress the voting rights of eligible, naturalized citizens. The ruling reflects broader national discussions on voter registration and election integrity, especially in states with Republican leadership.