Lawsuit Filed Against Iowa Secretary of State

Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate is facing a federal lawsuit filed by naturalized citizens and the League of United Latin American Citizens for directing election officials to challenge the ballots of over 2,000 voters flagged as potential noncitizens. The ACLU claims this action violates the U.S. Constitution and disenfranchises eligible voters, as many individuals on the list may have become citizens after previously indicating they were not. Pate argues that the initiative is intended to ensure election integrity in response to public pressure regarding voter fraud. The lawsuit contends that the process creates unnecessary hurdles for new citizens, potentially discouraging them from voting. Critics, including ACLU officials, stress that this practice undermines confidence in the electoral process, noting that there is little evidence of widespread voter fraud among noncitizens. The situation raises significant concerns about the treatment of naturalized citizens and their right to participate in elections without facing undue scrutiny.