MEDIA RELEASE: Iowa surpasses 500,000 newly registered voters since January 2015

DES MOINES – Secretary of State Paul Pate announces more than 500,000 Iowans have registered to vote since he took office on January 1, 2015. Most of those voters, 321,535 out of 504,113, registered by using the state’s online voter registration system that launched in January 2016 through a partnership between Secretary Pate and the Iowa Department of Transportation.

“My office has shown a continued commitment to encouraging Iowans to register to vote and participate in elections, and we’ve provided the resources to help Iowans easily become registered voters,” Secretary Pate said. “It has never been easier to register to vote or update your voter registration in Iowa, and we’ve ensured it’s safe, secure and accessible.”

Iowa is consistently one of the top 10 states in the nation for voter registration and voter participation. Secretary Pate credits the creation of the online voter registration system, the Safe at Home address confidentiality program for survivors of violence, and the Carrie Chapman Catt Award initiative in Iowa high schools for helping boost voter registration in the state.

“Registering to vote and making your voice heard by casting a ballot is a civic duty that I encourage every Iowan to fulfill,” Secretary Pate added. “It’s also important to keep your voter registration up-to-date. Take a few minutes today to make sure your information is current.”

Iowans needing to register to vote or update their information should visit sos.iowa.gov/registertovote.

A graphic noting the 500,000 new voter milestone is available for your use at this link.

Two soundbites from Secretary Pate is available for your use at this link and this link.

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