Iowa voters receiving texts impersonating government officials, candidates, state says

DES MOINES — Voters in at least three Iowa counties have received text messages impersonating local government officials and candidates, the state’s top elections official said Wednesday.

The text messages claim to survey residents about local issues and ask the recipient for a text response. The messages are not authentic and were not sent by the officials or candidates named, Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate said Wednesday.

The misleading texts have been confirmed in three counties thus far: Franklin, Johnson, and Madison, Pate said.

No such texts have been reported to either the Linn County Sheriff’s or Auditors offices, Sheriff Brian Gardner and Auditor Todd Taylor said Wednesday.

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“My office is aware of reports that an individual or group is sending mass texts to Iowa residents impersonating local elected officials and candidates. These messages are not authentic and were not sent by the officials or candidates named,” Pate said in a press release.

According to Pate’s office, the texts read:

“Hello, [NAME]. I’m [NAME], your [CITY NAME] [GOVERNMENT ROLE OR OFFICE SOUGHT], and I’m listening to residents about what matters most in our community. What issues do you think should be our top priority? Reply with your thoughts or text STOP to opt out.”

“Impersonating public officials and candidates is unacceptable and must stop immediately. We have advised the county auditor’s offices to report to local law enforcement,” Pate said in the press release.

The messages appear to be an attempt to collect people’s information, although the specific purpose is unknown, said Adam Wedmore, the Cerro Gordo County Auditor and current president of the Iowa State Association of County Auditors.

“Because the messages are designed to look as though they come from an official source, but do not, they raise legitimate concerns about their intent,” Wedmore said.

Pate, in the press release, said legitimate officials, candidates and pollsters will not ask for a person’s sensitive information.

Pate and Wedmore said anyone who receives a suspicious text message appearing to impersonate a government official or candidate should report them to local law enforcement, their county auditor’s office, or the Secretary of State’s office. Pate, Wedmore and Taylor all encouraged Iowans to remain vigilant about messages claiming to be from government officials or candidates.

“Unfortunately, election officials across the country are seeing an increase in misinformation related to elections,” Wedmore said. “We continue to remind voters to be smart consumers of election information and to always go directly to the source, their County Auditor or the Secretary of State, for accurate and trustworthy information.”

Iowans can contact the Iowa Secretary of State’s Office at elections@sos.iowa.gov.

Comments: (515) 355-1300, erin.murphy@thegazette.com

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