Protect Voting Rights: Federal Action to Strengthen Iowa Elections

I am writing to ask for your leadership in supporting policies that will help strengthen Iowa’s voting system and restore public confidence in our elections—both in Iowa and nationwide. Iowa’s election system still has gaps that can confuse voters or lead to uncounted ballots: • Language Barriers: Translated ballots and voting materials are inconsistent across counties. • Legal Confusion: Iowa’s outdated "English-only" law is under appeal, creating uncertainty and potential last-minute rule changes. • Military & Overseas Voting: Return deadlines and procedures make it unnecessarily difficult for service members and overseas voters to participate fully. • Voter Roll Purges: Citizenship challenges have mistakenly flagged naturalized citizens and other lawful voters. • Youth Voting Rights: Many 17-year-olds eligible to vote in primaries are unaware of their rights. Beyond these technical problems, these gaps fuel anxiety and erode public trust in our elections—especially for new citizens, military families, young voters, and language minorities. In an era of rising polarization, it is critical to ensure that every eligible voter can cast a ballot confidently, knowing their vote will count. I urge you to take federal action to help Iowa and all states: 1 Support clear national standards for translated ballots and voting materials. 2 Encourage repeal of outdated state "English-only" laws that create barriers to participation. 3 Modernize federal protections for military and overseas voters. 4 Strengthen federal oversight and transparency regarding voter roll maintenance. 5 Fund public education efforts to inform young voters of their rights. These steps are essential to protecting the right to vote and reinforcing public confidence in our democracy. I urge you to make election integrity, access, and voter confidence a priority in your work. Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter.