An examination of 2.3 million voter records in Iowa found nearly 2,200 non-citizens

DES MOINES, Iowa (WOWT) – Just under 0.1% of registered voters in Iowa have identified as non-citizens, according to an update from Secretary of State Paul Pate on Tuesday.

The information came to light during an audit of 2.3 million voter records in Iowa. During this process, Pate's office identified 2,176 records – or 0.09% of the total – that were problematic:

• After voting, 87 people stated that they were not citizens
• After registering, 67 people stated that they were not citizens – but did not vote
• 2,022 people self-identified that they were not citizens, but then voted or registered to vote anyway

“We are turning over the names of these individuals to the Iowa Attorney General and the Iowa Department of Public Safety for possible prosecution,” Pate said in Tuesday’s news release. “…It is a criminal offense for non-citizens to either vote or register to vote, and we will work with authorities to ensure that those who break the law are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law .”

Election workers have been ordered to challenge all 2024 general election ballots submitted by people identified in the audit.

“All of these individuals can vote by casting a provisional ballot,” he said in the news release.

Provisional ballots are reserved for additional review by a county board and are not part of election night totals. According to the Secretary of State's website, anyone who casts a provisional ballot that is rejected will receive a letter explaining why.

Pate said his office conducts “regular audits” of voter registration lists to ensure registered voters meet state and national election requirements.

“We have encountered obstacles from the federal government, as well as states across the country that are embroiled in lawsuits with the Justice Department and federal agencies. We will work with both our attorney general and Iowa's congressional delegation to ensure that the federal government gives us the tools to know with confidence before a non-citizen registers and votes in Iowa's election can,” Pate said in his statement. “Instead of identifying non-citizens after they vote, we will work with the Iowa Legislature to strengthen our laws.”

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