Iowa GOP Outlines
Voting Rules and Procedures for the Iowa Straw Poll
Strawn: Straw Poll Voting More Secure than State Elections
DES MOINES- Iowa GOP Chairman Matt Strawn today detailed the voting rules and procedures for the 2011 Iowa Straw Poll. Strawn said the Iowa GOP worked in conjunction with Secretary of State Matt Schultz and Story County Auditor Lucy Martin to create a voting experience that mirrors any state or municipal election. Additionally, the Iowa GOP will require Straw Poll attendees to provide a photo identification by providing an Iowa Driver’s License/Identification Card to ensure that only Iowans participate in the election.
Voting
for the Iowa Straw Poll will take place in both Hilton Coliseum (north
side entrance) and the Scheman Building (south side entrance) from
10am-4pm on Saturday, August 13. Those eligible to vote shall be Iowa
residents who are registered voters or an eligible registered voter who
will be 18 years of age on or before November 6, 2012. Only ticket
holders who present photo identification of the following type will be
allowed to vote: current and valid Iowa Driver’s License or
non-operator ID, Military ID or Student Photo ID from an Iowa
College/University. Those attendees with Military ID, student ID, or
Passport will be required to re-register to vote before receiving their
ballot. ID’s will be checked at voting areas. After casting a ballot,
voters will mark their index finger with indelible ink.
Voting equipment for the Straw Poll was rented from the Story County
Auditor’s and is the identical equipment used in state and municipal
elections. Candidates will be listed on the voting ballot in
randomized, rotating order according to last name. Write-in ballots
will be tabulated in compliance with Iowa Code and will be reported
individually by volunteers from the Secretary of Schultz Office . All
results will be certified by Iowa Secretary of State Matt Schultz.
Campaigns who reserved space at the Iowa Straw Poll are allowed to have one representative to observe the voting process per voting location, and up to two representatives to observe the tallying process.
In addition to Secretary Schultz and Auditor Martin, members of the Office of the Secretary of State and county auditors from across the state will help administer and oversee the election. All equipment and time was paid for by the Iowa GOP and the Iowa Straw Poll will be conducted at no taxpayer expense.
“The Iowa Straw Poll is the first measurable proving ground for our Republican candidates for President. The Iowa GOP is leading by example in establishing voting procedures that would stand up to the highest level of scrutiny," said Strawn nothing the addition of voter ID ensures the security and integrity of straw poll voting.
Secretary of State Schultz noted Iowa's position as the 'First in the Naiton' caucus state.
“I am excited to be a part of this effort to promote voter ID and Iowa’s First-in-the-Nation status," Said Schultz.
“The Story County Auditor’s Office has a long tradition of supplying voting equipment for the Straw Poll,” said Story County Auditor Lucy Martin. “We appreciate the opportunity to collaborate on voter education and demonstrate to the nation the efficiency, knowledge and expertise of Iowa’s election process.”