OTTUMWA — Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate said he’s spoken to more than 100 groups before upgrading security for election results. The goal, he said, was to be both secure and inclusive.
Pate was in Ottumwa Friday leading a “Voter Ready” roundtable discussion. Along with staff from his office, his local contact, Wapello County Auditor Kelly Spurgeon, was in the room.
Auditors control the election in each of the state’s 99 counties. They are overseen by the SOS.
“This is not the same system as … any other state,” said Pate.
This program, which includes asking for identification at the polls, will require upgraded notebook computers: Pate’s office has already distributed those to the 99 counties