Iowa Judge Permits Ballot Challenges for Potential Noncitizens

A federal judge has ruled Iowa can scrutinize thousands of voter registrations, sparking concerns over potential disenfranchisement of naturalized citizens.

U.S. District Judge Stephen Locher ruled in favor of Iowa's right to challenge over 2,000 voter registrations flagged as potentially noncitizen.
The decision comes amid criticism from the ACLU and civil rights groups, who argue it could disenfranchise recently naturalized citizens.
Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate initiated the challenge based on outdated data from the Department of Transportation, raising concerns over its accuracy.
The ruling follows a Supreme Court decision allowing Virginia to conduct a similar voter roll purge, emphasizing caution in granting last-minute legal interventions.
Iowa officials assert the move is essential for election integrity, while opponents claim it is part of a broader strategy to suppress votes.