As we approach Election Day tomorrow, Secretary of State Paul Pate assures voters that the election process will be secured and accurate.

He tells Raccoon Valley Radio that since Iowa continues to have paper ballot elections, there’s no internet connection, which means no one can hack into the voting system and tamper with a ballot. He adds that on the ballot itself, there are several safeguards to prevent someone else from tampering with the ballot after a voter submits it. Pate says his office is constantly partnering with federal government agencies, as well as county auditors, to provide the best ways to update and improve election security procedures.

“We are putting in place things like Cyber-Navigator, which is someone in my office who will (deal) directly with the counties to assist them in making sure they understand and have access to all of the latest technology tools to make sure they’re constantly getting the best for protection.”

Pate points out one way they are using technology to speed up voter registration and information, is through a touch-screen tablet with E-Poll books. He says a voter can have their driver’s license scanned it into the system.

“It’ll say ‘Paul Pate’ (with my) address, (it) will tell you what precinct to be in. It tells them if you’ve requested an absentee ballot, if you’ve voted the absentee ballot, it will figure if you’re on a felon list, all at your fingertips. Then the script (with) what questions to ask to confirm everything.”

Pate says following Tuesday’s election, a voting accuracy safeguard is conducting a post-election audit. It is where one precinct in every county is selected at random to do a hand-count of the ballots to ensure that voting systems are providing accurate results. Click the link below for a five-minute video going over Iowa’s election security process.