Iowa Public Safety Commissioner Stephan Bayens, right. joined by Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate, left, and other state and national security officials, spoke at a news conference at the state’s State Emergency Operations Center in Johnston Oct. 30, 2024. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch)
JOHNSTON — State and federal officials said in a news conference Wednesday they are taking steps to ensure Iowa’s elections are secure and that both cybersecurity and in-person threats are addressed ahead of Election Day.
FBI Omaha Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel said the FBI officials covering Iowa and Nebraska are working to ensure that any threats related to election fraud, voter suppression and malicious activities targeting both election infrastructure and workers are addressed. He said this includes both preparing for specific scenarios and monitoring potential actors who could plan violence ahead of the election.
He said this involves working with state and national elections officials and local law enforcement, as well as with the public. He encouraged Iowans to “remain vigilant” ahead of the election and immediately report any suspicious activity to law enforcement or to the FBI directly at tips.fbi.gov or by phone at 402-493-8688.
“We gather and analyze intelligence to determine whether individuals might be motivated to take violent action for any reason, including due to concerns about the election,” Kowel said. “It is vital the FBI, our law enforcement partners and the public work together to protect our communities as Americans exercise their right to vote.”
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Iowa Public Safety Commissioner Stephan Bayens said the state Department of Public Safety is working to coordinate with law enforcement and intelligence agency partners to address instances of misinformation spreading ahead of the election, in addition to monitoring for potential physical threats. He warned Iowans to be wary of information they receive about the election and voting process from nonofficial sources, stating that many instances of false information center around changes to polling site locations and hours.
“Please also be mindful of scam artists claiming you can register a ballot or voting on online or over the phone,” Bayens said. “These fraudsters are attempting to obtain your personal information so they can either steal your personal identity or trick you into believing you have already voted.”
Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate also reassured voters that because Iowa has a paper ballot system, the state is in a good place to conduct audits by hand-counting when needed after the election, in addition to pre-election equipment testing and other security measures.
“We’ve taken every effort available to us to ensure that eligible voters are able to participate in the election process and cast their ballot this November,” Pate said. “We take this role of election integrity very seriously.”