Iowa Democrats irked by Pate presentation without details of voter ID bill

DES MOINES - With Secretary of State Paul Pate's Election Integrity Act still in draft stage, Democrats on the House State Government Committee on Thursday complained it was hard to ask questions about his proposal to require all voters to present ID cards before casting their ballots.

'We were hoping today to have the bill before us ... so we could ask about what it does and about problems and pitfalls,” Rep. Mary Mascher, D-Iowa City, said about the bill still being drafted by the Legislative Services Agency. 'Part of the concern and angst we have about opening this up today is there are so many questions we have.”

Rep. Bruce Hunter, D-Des Moines, was equally perplexed by the lack of anything more than a one-page explainer.

'Without a bill it's hard to ask specific questions,” he said, adding that made the discussion 'kind of meaningless.”

He did make clear his opposition, telling Pate that there were only 31 credible instances of fraud in the billion votes cast between 2000 and 2014.

'I have a better chance of getting struck by lightning, twice,” Hunter said.

Pate addressed several questions about the mechanics of his proposal during an hourlong presentation and question-and-answer session. He emphasized that it gives voter participation and election integrity equal priority, and would require more of election administrators - his office and county auditors - but would not be a burden on voters.

He's calling for required voter identification - including existing Iowa driver's licenses, passports and military IDs - and for signatures to be verified at polling sites. Eligible voters, out-of-state students and others who lack approved identification would be issued free ID cards including a personal identification number that would be required for all absentee ballot requests.

He's calling for a 'soft rollout” of the new voter ID procedures beginning with city and school elections this year. No one would be turned away if they didn't have their ID as long as they can verify they are who they say they are. The mandatory use of the new procedures would begin in 2018 - after the 2018 general election.

He's also calling for postelection audits to affirm results and illuminate problems.

Other changes would include the use of electronic pollbooks to replace voluminous paper pollbooks at every precinct. Pate said 72 of 99 counties already use electronic pollbooks.

l Comments: (319) 398-8375; james.lynch@thegazette.com