DES MOINES – The Ted Cruz presidential campaign has sent mailers that grade voters on their past participation in elections and are now called “misleading” by a top Iowa voting official.
Mailers sent by Ted Cruz say “official public record” on them and show the recipient’s name and the actual names of people who live nearby. The mailers tell the recipients they have a ‘voting violation’ for failing to caucus in previous elections, and grades them between A to F.
The mailers also say “You are receiving this election notice because of low expected voter turnout in your area. Your individual voting history as well as your neighbors’ are public record. Their scores are published below, and many of them will see your score as well. CAUCUS ON MONDAY TO IMPROVE YOUR SCORE and please encourage your neighbors to caucus as well. A follow-up notice may be issued following Monday’s caucuses.”
Saturday, Secretary of State Paul Pate issued a statement regarding the “misleading” mailer from the Ted Cruz for President Campaign.
“Today I was shown a piece of literature from the Cruz for President campaign that misrepresents the role of my office, and worse, misrepresents Iowa election law. Accusing citizens of Iowa of a “voting violation” based on Iowa Caucus participation, or lack thereof, is false representation of an official act. There is no such thing as an election violation related to frequency of voting. Any insinuation or statement to the contrary is wrong and I believe it is not in keeping in the spirit of the Iowa Caucuses.
“Additionally, the Iowa Secretary of State’s Office never “grades” voters. Nor does the Secretary of State maintain records related to Iowa Caucus participation. Caucuses are organized and directed by the state political parties, not the Secretary of State, nor local elections officials. Also, the Iowa Secretary of State does not “distribute” voter records. They are available for purchase for political purposes only, under Iowa Code.” – Paul D. Pate, Iowa Secretary of State
See the Cruz mailer that has Iowa voter planning to caucus for Rubio:https://t.co/q3hw3sCoYf pic.twitter.com/bZp9ADbKi6
— TheBlaze (@theblaze) January 30, 2016
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We do not need another foreigner as president of the USA – GO TRUMP 2016. These 2 polls showing Trump leading in Iowa by 5 points may be a distraction for people not to attend mondays republican caucauses – These polls were put out by the Des Moines Register and Bloomberg News – BOTH HATE Donald Trump.
Peter for the insane asylum. ..2016
I would caucus for that!
He didn’t mislead the public any more than that fruitcake from Clear Lake did when he ran for City Council. #Tantrum
Cruz for Prison 2016
Yes, it would be only fitting to publicly shame and humiliate the three people that voted for you in your hilariously pathetic, failed attempt to run for a Clear Lake city council seat. If ever there were a time when people should lose their right to vote, that would be the time.
It may be misleading, but it’s a good idea. Paul Pate and the State of Iowa ought to be doing just this: Grading Voters. Obviously the electorate has serious problems with participation in Democracy, and it should be a matter of public record as to who turns out to vote in what elections. Shaming may be a useful tool.