Local leaders spoke out Monday after recent comments by Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump alleging that a conspiracy is underway between the news media and the Democratic Party to commit election fraud.The Republican nominee recently tweeted, "Of course there is large scale voter fraud happening on and before Election Day. Why do Republican leaders deny what is going on? So naive!"Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate assured Iowans Monday that the elections are not rigged."Our reputation is very good and I don't want anyone to try and imply otherwise especially without any facts,” Pate said.Pate said Trump's comments are confusing people, even though he believes Iowa has one of the fairest election systems in the country"I can assure you and all Iowans that elections are not rigged,” Pate said.Governor Terry Branstad said Monday morning there is no question of a media bias against Trump, but that he has confidence in the voters."Let me just say it's not just on one side, and I'm just saying the coverage needs to be fair,” Branstad said. “It needs to cover the problems in all areas there's a micro focus on anything that is anti-Trump."Pate said there is a difference between media attention and voter fraud."As a candidate, I can say I don't always agree what and how media may cover my particular situation,” Pate said. “That doesn't mean we're talking about the physical, technical side of an election. That's apples and oranges to me."Pate said there is no possibility of internet hacking in Iowa, as the state uses a paper ballot system.

Local leaders spoke out Monday after recent comments by Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump alleging that a conspiracy is underway between the news media and the Democratic Party to commit election fraud.

The Republican nominee recently tweeted, "Of course there is large scale voter fraud happening on and before Election Day. Why do Republican leaders deny what is going on? So naive!"


Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate assured Iowans Monday that the elections are not rigged.



"Our reputation is very good and I don't want anyone to try and imply otherwise especially without any facts,” Pate said.



Pate said Trump's comments are confusing people, even though he believes Iowa has one of the fairest election systems in the country



"I can assure you and all Iowans that elections are not rigged,” Pate said.



Governor Terry Branstad said Monday morning there is no question of a media bias against Trump, but that he has confidence in the voters.



"Let me just say it's not just on one side, and I'm just saying the coverage needs to be fair,” Branstad said. “It needs to cover the problems in all areas there's a micro focus on anything that is anti-Trump."



Pate said there is a difference between media attention and voter fraud.



"As a candidate, I can say I don't always agree what and how media may cover my particular situation,” Pate said. “That doesn't mean we're talking about the physical, technical side of an election. That's apples and oranges to me."



Pate said there is no possibility of internet hacking in Iowa, as the state uses a paper ballot system.

