Democrats lashed out at Iowa’s Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds after she signed a bill into law that tightened the window for early voting and mail-in voting.
Many on the Left quickly attacked the governor over the bill, which mandates that polling places close at 8 p.m. instead of 9 p.m. and shortens mail in-voting from 29 days before the election to 20, accusing her of “voter suppression.”
“This is an unbelievably shameful day for Iowa,” Iowa Democratic Rep. Cindy Axne tweeted. “Whether you prefer to cast your ballot on Election Day, by mail, or at an early voting location — this new law makes exercising your right to vote more difficult. Suppressing voting options is voter suppression, plain and simple.”
This is an unbelievably shameful day for Iowa.
Whether you prefer to cast your ballot on Election Day, by mail, or at an early voting location – this new law makes exercising your right to vote more difficult.
Suppressing voting options is voter suppression, plain and simple. https://t.co/4mEKM85lgk
— Cindy Axne (@Axne4Congress) March 9, 2021
LINGERING 2020 BITTERNESS INFLAMES DEBATE AS DEMOCRATS PUSH MASSIVE ELECTION REFORM BILL
“This is what voter suppression looks like….always delivered with a show of ‘concern’ for the democratic process,” former presidential candidate Marianne Williamson tweeted.
This is what voter suppression looks like….always delivered with a show of “concern” for the democratic process. https://t.co/XXThsPXlq2
— Marianne Williamson (@marwilliamson) March 9, 2021
“Iowa today enacted a law that does nothing other than disenfranchise voters,” lawyer Marc Elias tweeted. “This shameful law will not go unchallenged in court.”
Iowa today enacted a law that does nothing other than disenfranchise voters. This shameful law will not go unchallenged in court. https://t.co/SV6TctQGjD
— Marc E. Elias (@marceelias) March 8, 2021
A court challenge was made on behalf of the League of United Latin American Citizens, and Elias tweeted that the new law violates the Iowa Constitution.
?BREAKING: On behalf of the @LULAC of Iowa, we have filed a lawsuit challenging Iowa’s new voter suppression law. The voting restrictions in this law create an undue burden on the fundamental right to vote in violation of the Iowa Constitution. https://t.co/BAOXKYRLI1
— Marc E. Elias (@marceelias) March 9, 2021
Reynolds defended the bill, arguing that it is imperative to take steps to ensure the integrity of the election process following a 2020 presidential election rife with accusations of voter fraud from Republicans, including former President Donald Trump.
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“It’s our duty and responsibility to protect the integrity of every election,” Reynolds said in a statement. “This legislation strengthens uniformity by providing Iowa’s election officials with consistent parameters for Election Day, absentee voting, database maintenance, as well as a clear appeals process for local county auditors. All of these additional steps promote more transparency and accountability, giving Iowans even greater confidence to cast their ballot.”
