Voter fraud efforts applauded

By Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier

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Iowa Secretary of State Matt Schultz is catching some flak for pursuing a probe of alleged voter fraud in Iowa.

Earlier this year, Schultz filed emergency rules to change Iowa's voting procedures after finding potential evidence of fraud. He's stated that he's turned over for investigation the names of more than 1,000 potential noncitizens who voted since 2010 after comparing lists of noncitizens with driving permits against those who cast ballots in recent elections.

The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation is now cross-matching records.

It's become a controversial issue. Sen. Tom Courtney, D-Burlington, chairman of the Senate's Government Oversight Committee, said he has formally requested state and federal audits of what he considers to be Schultz's “misuse of federal funding for his high-profile voter purge campaign.”

Seriously? If there are people who are voting, and shouldn't be, should they not be purged from the rolls? This is as common sense as it is serious.

Had Schultz done nothing after such possible evidence came to light he would be derelict in his duty. He acted quickly, presumably because there is an election coming up.

Critics maintain a voter fraud problem is not widespread. But how widespread does it need to be? Recent elections have been decided by razor thin margins. Just look back at the Iowa Caucuses.

Last month three people were charged with felony counts of voter fraud in Pottawattamie County as a result of the DCI investigation.

According to criminal complaints filed in the case, all three are non-U.S. citizens who registered to vote. Court records indicated that two are citizens of Canada and one is a citizen of Mexico.

Two others - convicted felons who registered to vote - were charged with election fraud on Thursday. Look for more to follow.

If these investigations are uncovering actual instances of voter fraud, then Schultz's efforts should be applauded.

We could care less who these ineligible voters would vote for. The fact is, if a person is not entitled to vote, and does so, they cancel out a ballot from a legitimate voter.

We see that as a big deal.

We commend Schultz for his due diligence in attempting to correct a potentially disturbing problem. And for taking his job seriously.