(DES MOINES) Today, Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate announced the appointment of Linn County Auditor Joel Miller to a key group that will provide advice and counsel on key elections issues. Miller is one of just eight county auditors to serve on the advisory group.

"I appreciate Secretary Pate reaching out to me to gather input regarding elections, I look forward to working with him over the next few years to come up with solutions that make sense for Iowa," stated Miller.

The Auditors' Advisory Group will explore policy, procedural and technical options within the area of elections and voter registration. This will include absentee balloting, expanding on-line voter registration, ballot security, and the growth in the use of absentee ballots.

"It is my honor to welcome Auditor Miller and I look forward to working with him to better serve the state of Iowa in expanding voter participation and protecting the integrity of the election process," stated Pate.

The advisory group will be led by Secretary of State Pate. Auditors from Woodbury, Union, Des Moines, Clay, Black Hawk, Page, Grundy and Linn Counties will be serving in this group.

Pate added, "There will be a free flow of ideas, concerns and best practices among the advisory members who are on the front lines of Iowa's elections. And while I recognize not everyone is always going to agree on everything, I believe that new ideas and solutions will emerge from this group."

Click here for higher resolution picture of Auditor Miller and Secretary Pate

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