Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate has been making rounds to counties all across Iowa to talk about the Voter Ready Iowa initiative, and that included a recent visit to Dallas County.

Pate has been working with county auditors to spread information about new voter identification laws through the media and local poll workers. During his meeting in Dallas County, he clarified that the new law isn’t entirely about voter integrity and battling fraud, though he feels that is a positive side effect. Instead, the law was intended to make things more efficient at the polls by transitioning registration to electronic.

Throughout elections this year, there’s been a soft rollout of the new law. Pate explained, they’re asking voters for their IDs, as well as proof of residence for those registering at the polls, but if an individual doesn’t have the proper identification, they can vote after signing a declaration of eligibility form and an oath. In 2019, voters without IDs on election day will have to fill out provisional ballots, and return to the auditor’s office with their valid identification before the election is canvassed.

Pate emphasized that no voter will be turned away from voting at the polls because of identification. He added, providing proof of residence was recently made easier, as a new law was signed that allows voters to show documentation electronically. Anyone with questions is encouraged to reach out to the Secretary of State’s Office at 515-281-6230.