Latino civil rights organization concerned over absentee ballot confusion
DES MOINES, Iowa — More than 22,000 voters, who sent in a pre-filled out absentee ballot request form still need to send a new one in.
Civil Rights advocacy groups say mixed messages from lawsuits over these forms are throwing Iowan's for a loop.
"This should not be difficult, this should not be a chess game in order to get a mail ballot," said state political director for the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), Joe Enriquez Henry
He says that's exactly how it feels for Iowans voting in this years election, especially Latino voters in Linn, Johnson and Woodbury county.
"Three counties in Iowa with a very high percentage of Latino voters," explained Henry.
Latinos make up six percent of the states total population.
"We know within our community about half of our registered voters are under the age of thirty many of which will be their first time voting," said Henry.
Like senior at Iowa State University, Allison Curry.
"I'm excited to do my part and to be done and go in a good way," shared Curry.
With all the changes, her experience in this year's election has been far from easy.
"It's super hard for not only college students, but for people who speak English as their second language, like my mom," said Curry.
However, spokesman for the Republican Party of Iowa, Aaron Britt, says this confusion could've been avoidable.
In a statement sent to Iowa's News Now he says:
By openly defying the Secretary of State's directive and Iowa law, three rogue county auditors broke the law, causing chaos and confusion while harming the faith and trust voters have in Iowa's elections. They alone are responsible for this mess. Iowa Republicans want accessible and fair elections, and the GOP will continue working to ensure validity and confidence in this election
Either way, Henry says he will make sure Latinos get their ballot.
"We're going to do the final push across the state. We know that our vote matters and we know many in our community want to vote," said Henry.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding voting in Iowa, Henry, says you can visit Latino Vote Iowa.
