Lawsuit challenges Paul Pate's limits on ballot drop boxes

Two groups charge in a lawsuit filed this week that Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate exceeded his authority and violated the Iowa Constitution by restricting the placement of drop boxes for absentee ballots in guidance issued this month.

The League of United Latin American Citizens of Iowa (LULAC) and Majority Forward argued that Pate infringed on the “home rule” authority of Iowa counties as well as on individuals’ fundamental constitutional right to vote.

BOXES ALLOWED “AT THEIR OFFICE” OR “DIRECTLY SURROUNDING THE BUILDING”

During an election administrator training session in August, the Secretary of State’s office rolled out a half-baked effort to ban boxes where voters could hand-deliver absentee ballots at any time of the day or night. Instead, Pate’s legal counsel asserted, ballot drop boxes could be placed only in county elections offices for voters “to use during regular business hours.”

Such restrictions would defeat the purpose of a drop box, making them inaccessible to anyone unable to get to the office during weekday opening hours. Dozens of county auditors had used drop boxes before, without incident.

Read more: https://www.bleedingheartland.com/2020/09/17/lawsuit-challenges-paul-pates-limits-on-ballot-drop-boxes/