Rep. Kaufmann supports misguided voting bill

I'm supporting Lonny Pulkrabek for state House District 73 because it's time for better leadership in the Iowa Legislature.

During the coronavirus pandemic Republican Secretary of State Paul Pate sent every registered voter an absentee ballot request for the June 2 primary election. It was a good call to help people vote by mail during the pandemic. The decision was non-partisan. The result was record turnout while COVID-19 spread throughout the state shutting down businesses, schools and life as we know it.

Now, for some reason, the Republicans have advanced a bill in the Senate to prevent Pate from doing the same for the upcoming November election. Why? Better voter turnout is a good thing. COVID-19 is likely to still be around this fall.

Bobby Kaufmann, incumbent Republican representative for HD 73, is supporting the bill to make voting by mail harder. Making it harder for people to vote by mail during a pandemic is not smart leadership. Sheriff Lonny Pulkrabek has a proven record of effective leadership. He will support increasing voter turnout, not try to prevent it. I'm voting for Pulkrabek in House District 73 this November, and I hope you will too.

Sue Ballantyne

Solon