Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird highlights office’s new role in election security

DES MOINES — Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird via public notice Tuesday reminded Iowans that, under a new state law, her office will prosecute election fraud and misconduct cases.

In a news release, Bird highlighted a portion of Gov. Kim Reynolds’ state government reorganization plan that was approved by the Republican-majority Legislature and signed into law by Reynolds this year. One section of the wide-ranging law gave the Attorney General’s Office authority to prosecute elections crimes.

“It’s critical that we maintain Iowans’ trust in our election systems,” Bird said in the news release. “No Iowan should have to worry about whether their vote will count. I am committed to ensuring the safety and security of our elections so that every Iowan’s voice is heard.”

Bird, also a Republican, recently endorsed former President Donald Trump in the GOP presidential primary. Trump over the past three years has made false claims of fraud in the 2020 presidential election that he lost to President Joe Biden. Those 2020 results have been confirmed by state elections leaders from both major political parties, and all legal challenges to the results were defeated or dismissed. Trump has been indicted on charges of attempting to have the presidential election results in Georgia overturned. Multiple Trump associates have already pleaded guilty to similar charges in that case.

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In Tuesday’s news release, Bird said state law prohibits any action that interferes with an Iowan’s right to vote or allows for the casting of an illegal vote, and listed as examples registration and voter fraud, bribery, voter intimidation and voting equipment tampering.

In the news release, Bird encouraged any Iowan concerned about potential election misconduct to report it to their local law enforcement agency. She said any questions regarding election procedures should go to the county auditor or the Iowa Secretary of State’s Office, which oversees elections in the state.

The state is undergoing its first election since the new state law went on the books July 1. Early voting has already started in municipal elections for city and school positions, among others. Election Day is Nov. 7.

Iowans get relief from lender’s settlement

Iowa will receive nearly $70,000 as part of a 42-state lawsuit with a lending company that was accused of deceptive advertising and leasing practices, according to the Iowa Attorney General’s Office.

The settlement is the result of allegations that Tempoe LLC deceived consumers into signing leases for goods instead of using payment installment plans or credit. According to a news release from the Attorney General’s Office, Tempoe’s methods “confused Iowans … leading to them paying two to three times the purchase price of the goods,” which included mattresses, lawn and garden items, and tires.

The roughly $70,000 from the settlement will go to the Iowa Attorney General’s Office, and can be used for education or litigation regarding consumer fraud and financial issues, per the settlement agreement.

Also, Tempoe is permanently banned from engaging in future leasing activities in Iowa, and all existing leases will be canceled and Iowans may keep any leased products without any further financial obligation. Tempoe also cannot give credit reporting agencies negative information about Iowans who leased from the company.

$11 million allocated for traffic safety

Iowa will receive $11 million in federal grant funds for traffic safety, the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau announced.

The grant funds, from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, will be distributed to law enforcement partners for equipment, education and enforcement projects; and to other traffic safety partners, like Mothers Against Drunk Driving, the Iowa Bicycle Coalition and others, according to the state bureau.