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

"I am very excited to work with Mr. Pate and such a great group of auditors on this committee. Together, I know we can achieve many progressive and innovative changes within the election process," said Wellhausen.

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 Wellhausen and I look forward to working with her 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 a higher resolution picture of Auditor Wellhausen

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