Paul Pate has failed to address vulnerability that led to a recent release of voter information in Linn County
DES MOINES, Iowa – Iowa Secretary of State Candidate Jim Mowrer has called for increased security of voters’ personal information to protect the identity of voters and prevent the accidental release of information, including Social Security numbers of voters.
Recently, the Linn County Auditor’s office mistakenly released Social Security information for 216,000 active and inactive voters in response to a routine request from the Linn County Republican Party. In response, the Linn County election officials have asked, unsuccessfully, that the Secretary of State remove the ability to export this sensitive data from the state’s I-Voters system.
“Protecting the identify of Iowa voters and ensuring that their personal information is secure needs to be a priority for the Secretary of State. Unfortunately, Paul Pate has refused to take this issue seriously and has refused to implement a simple change to prevent the release of Social Security numbers and other sensitive information in the future,” said Jim Mowrer. “The state’s I-Voters system should be immediately updated to prevent staff in the Secretary of State’s office and in auditors’ offices across Iowa from accidentally releasing this data. Instead of trying to make it as difficult and expensive as possible for Iowans to vote, Paul Pate should focus on protecting the security of voter data and work to build Iowans’ trust in our election system.”
In an August 1st, 2017 open letter to Iowa voters, Pate promised Iowans, “your social security and driver's license numbers are confidential by law and never provided to any voter registration list requester.” Unfortunately, he has refused to work with local election officials to ensure that this data cannot be accidentally released in the future.
Since announcing his candidacy for Iowa Secretary of State last week, Mowrer has announced a broad base of support from local election officials and leaders across the state.
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