Your vote matters. We’ve heard that before, but today Iowas have a genuine example to validate that slogan. Iowa State Senator Mariannette Miller-Meeks declared victory over her opponent Rita Hart in their battle to represent Iowa’s second congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives.
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Today, all ballots have been counted, certified, and canvassed.
Dr. Mariannette Miller-Meeks is the next Congresswoman from #IA02! pic.twitter.com/KHJHBGln6e
— Austin Harris (@AustinHarrisIA) November 11, 2020
What’s the big deal? Well, it was a squeaker. Monday was the last day absentee votes could be counted so long as they were postmarked by election day. Today the second district’s 24 counties certified their results, and they show Miller-Meeks won with just 47 more votes than her Democratic opponent, Rita Hart of Clinton County. That means with 24 counties, the difference came down to less than two votes per county.
MILLER-MEEKS Final –196,862 (+47)
HART Final — 196,815
Mariannette’s released this statement tonight after the official canvass results indicated that she has won:
“I express my heartfelt gratitude to the voters of Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District and acknowledge my opponent Rita Hart’s grace and positive demeanor during this challenging campaign. The election is over, and it is time to move forward together and focus on the priorities that will best serve Iowans.”
After election night, it appeared that Miller-Meeks had won, but an error in Jasper County reporting resulting in her going from 265 votes to down 144. Today Iowa Secretay of State Paul Pate held a press conference on another error in Lucas county.
We have protections in place in Iowa to ensure the integrity of the vote. All elections are conducted on paper ballots. There is a paper trail & we conduct post-election audits. We have protections in place in Iowa to ensure the integrity of the vote. The system worked.
— Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate (@IowaSOS) November 6, 2020
I’ve ordered an audit of unofficial election results in 1 Lucas County precinct following an error in the unofficial reporting of results in the county auditor’s office. Also requested a countywide recount. We will protect the integrity of the vote
https://t.co/lTvSXyDWDA pic.twitter.com/dQNID8ngfs— Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate (@IowaSOS) November 10, 2020
Iowa law provides three days for a candidate to request a recount after the canvas has been certified. Numerous sources have shared with Iowa Field Report that Hart intends to seek a recount.
