Iowa’s new Secretary of State says he’ll ask Iowa legislators to ensure back-up records are kept of all the electronic votes cast in Iowa. Secretary of State Michael Mauro, a Democrat, is now he is the commissioner of elections statewide.
“Top priority is making sure that we get a paper trail in place. I think the people of Iowa want it. I think it’s important,” Mauro says. “I think we need to make sure that the voting system stays safe and secure and that’s my first priority, to see that we get a way to verify and to make sure that the elections are working properly with a verified paper trail.”
Mauro predicts the legislature will approve the move, and Governor-elect Chet Culver will sign it into law. “I think they’re all on board, to be honest with you,” Mauro says. Mauro had been Polk County Auditor, the administrator of elections in Iowa’s largest county. He takes over from out-going Secretary of State Chet Culver, who will become Iowa’s governor on January 12th.