DES MOINES — It is imperative that only eligible Iowa voters vote in Iowa elections. As part of the many safeguards in protecting Iowa elections, the office of the Secretary of State conducts regular audits of the voter registration lists to maintain clean voter rolls and maintain compliance with state and constitutional voting requirements.

Through this auditing process, the office recently reviewed 2.3 million voter records. It found 87 people who have self-reported they are not citizens, after they have voted. Also found were an additional 67 people who have self-reported that they are not citizens, after they have registered to vote — they have not voted. The SOS office is turning the names of these individuals over to the Iowa Attorney General and the Iowa Department of Public Safety for potential prosecution.

The office also came across 2,022 people who have self-reported they are not citizens and voted or registered to vote after self-reporting.

Secretary of State Paul Pate has directed county auditors to have poll workers challenge the ballots of any of these individuals during the 2024 General Election. All these individuals will be able to vote by casting a provisional ballot.

The office will be working with both the Attorney General and Iowa’s Congressional Delegation to ensure the federal government gives Iowa the tools to know with certainty before a noncitizen is able to register and vote in Iowa elections. Instead of identifying noncitizens after they have voted, Iowa will work with its Iowa legislature to strengthen the laws.

Iowa will continue to audit its voter registration lists to ensure only eligible, U.S. citizens are registered to vote and participating in Iowa elections.