So how does a policy that could stop 260,000 Iowans from voting gain enough traction to become law? The answer is misinformation. Secretary Pate was caught manipulating statistics on voting irregularities to try and build a better case for his undemocratic bill. His own staff tried to stop him, but he ignored them and misled the public in the name of politics anyway because Pate, like far too many other politicians across America, is trying to choose his voters instead of having voters elect him.

Besides being explicitly partisan and undermining the sanctity of our democracy, Iowa’s new law is expected to end up costing taxpayer money that could be used in much better ways. It is estimated that implementing Iowa’s voter ID law will cost at least $500,000 in the first year alone -- money that could be put towards fixing roads and funding schools, but instead is funding the obstacles that will keep many Iowans from voting.