SIOUX CITY (AP) — One day after an Iowajudge voided 50,000absentee ballot requests, a second judge said Friday he will rule shortly on the Trump campaign's motion to invalidate at least 14,000 more.
Judge Patrick Tott heard arguments Friday morning on the dispute in Woodbury County and said that he would try to issue a ruling by the end of the day.
At issue is whether Woodbury County’s elections commissioner, Patrick Gill, acted improperly when he sent absentee ballot request forms to 57,000 registered voters that had their personal information filled in. About 14,000 have been returned so far.
Judge Ian Thornhill ruled Thursday that a similar mailing in Linn County violated a directive from the Iowa Secretary of State, who ordered counties to leave the forms blank when mailed to voters in order to ensure uniformity statewide.
Thornhill ordered the county to void 50,000 requests that had been returned and to contact those voters, who will have to either fill out a new blank request or vote in person. Linn County officials said they would abide by the ruling and send out new forms next month. Ballots will be mailed beginning Oct. 5.
The Trump campaign and Republican Party groups have also filed a similar challenge in Johnson County.