Sec. of State Pate: Iowa reaches second highest turnout for midterm election in state history

(ABC 6 News) – Iowa Republican Secretary of State Paul Pate announced the unofficial turnout for the November 2022 general election.

Pate said the turnout was the second highest in state history for a midterm election. More than 1,220,000 Iowans voted surpassing the previous record of 1,329,930 set in 2018.

“My thanks to Iowans from every corner of the state who made their voices heard by voting,” Secretary Pate said. “I also want to thank the poll workers and county election officials across Iowa for their hard work and dedication. However, our work is not finished.”

Every county will now conduct post-election audits in randomly selected precincts to help ensure the integrity of the vote.

Secretary Pate added another layer of protection to Iowa’s electoral process this year by ordering a second race to undergo hand count audits in every county.

RELATED: Iowa Sec. of State Pate expanding post-election audits to ensure vote integrity

The audits will ensure the numbers match the totals reported by the ballot tabulators. The gubernatorial race and constitutional amendment ballot measure will be audited.

“Post-election audits add another layer of integrity to the election process,” Secretary Pate said. “I want all Iowans to know their vote counts, and it will be counted correctly.”

All election results remain unofficial until canvassing is complete, and results are certified. The deadline is December 5.

Unofficial election results are available, HERE.

Meanwhile, Pate won reelection on Tuesday night and will serve a 4th term as Secretary of State.

He ended Tuesday night with 60% of the vote, defeating Democratic challenger Joel Miller.

Pate thanked Iowa voters for their support on Twitter. “I’m honored to be reelected as Iowa Secretary of State in a resounding victory! We won by 3 touchdowns! Easy to vote, hard to cheat!”