Republicans shouldn’t change ballot rules

Iowa Republicans are so predictable. Their 'decision” on the Winneshiek County absentee ballots is a good example.

Stating the law, House Republicans furtively insert a word found nowhere in the rules. They added the word 'traditional.” Are we talking 17th-century traditional or newer? Maybe 18th, 19th? Postmarks have evolved. Bar codes are the 21st-century postmark.

Republicans want to play semantics. The evidence is clear. The ballots were received on time.

Republicans also closed off the hearing, barring witnesses and more testimony, and denying 29 voters their due process.

Then, pouring gas on the fire, they ignored Fayette County counting similar absentee ballots. There probably are many court decisions upholding equal voting. Fayette's vote must be uncounted, but Secretary of State Paul Pate says it cannot. That demands Winneshiek's be counted. Anything else is a predictable power grab.

Dave Ameling

Ossian