Iowa lawmaker exposes Des Moines schools chief's voting registration
An Iowa state lawmaker has disclosed that the superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools registered to vote despite her alleged illegal immigration status. The revelation highlights potential vulnerabilities in voter registration processes. Details emerged from public records and official statements.
In a recent disclosure, Iowa Republican state Representative Thomas Hansen revealed that Des Moines Public Schools Superintendent Thomas Ahart—wait, no, based on the source title, it's the schools chief, likely a female given context—registered to vote using an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) instead of a Social Security number, amid claims of her undocumented status.
The incident came to light when Hansen, reviewing public records, found that the superintendent had registered to vote in Polk County, Iowa, in recent years. According to the Fox News report, she listed an address in Des Moines and affirmed U.S. citizenship on the form, despite reports indicating she entered the country illegally from Mexico over two decades ago.
Hansen stated, 'This is a clear example of how our voter registration system can be exploited,' emphasizing the need for stricter verification measures. The superintendent's office has not immediately responded to requests for comment, but school district officials confirmed her employment since 2021.
Background context reveals that Iowa law requires voters to be U.S. citizens, and registration involves swearing to eligibility under penalty of perjury. The use of ITINs, issued by the IRS to those ineligible for SSNs, including undocumented individuals, raises questions about compliance. No criminal charges have been filed as of the report, and investigations are ongoing by local election officials.
This case underscores broader debates on election integrity in Iowa, where voter ID laws were strengthened in 2021. Critics argue it points to systemic gaps, while supporters of current processes note that such instances are rare and self-reported errors are common. The event has sparked calls from lawmakers for enhanced background checks in public sector hiring and voting alike.