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Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate Warns of Texts Impersonating Officials, Candidates

Iowa Secretary of State warns voters to verify election texts amid fraudulent messages targeting Franklin, Johnson, and Madison Counties during early voting period.

  • Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate issued a warning after reports of mass text messages impersonating local elected officials and candidates, confirming the messages are not authentic.
  • With early voting already open for the 2025 local races, Pate noted candidates are conducting legitimate outreach but will not ask for sensitive information before Election day Tuesday, November 4th.
  • Recipients should report suspected impersonations immediately to local law enforcement, their county auditor’s office, and elections@sos.iowa.gov, and avoid sharing sensitive information over text or outside candidate’s official donation channels.
  • The secretary's office has advised county auditors to report the 'unacceptable' fraudulent messages to local law enforcement and urged Iowans to verify information through trusted sources like the Iowa Secretary of State’s Office.
  • Voters face key deadlines including Monday, October 20th at 5 p.m., to request forms via the Secretary of State’s website, and ballots must reach county auditors by 8 p.m. on election night.
Insights by Ground AI

11 Articles

NE Iowa PublishingNE Iowa Publishing
Center

Iowa Secretary of State urges voters to stay alert for fraudulent candidate messages

DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate has responded regarding an emerging situation in multiple Iowa counties.

·Oelwein, United States
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KCRGKCRG
Center

Iowa Secretary of State warns residents of messages impersonating officials, candidates

The Iowa Secretary of State’s Office says it has received reports of Iowans receiving mass texts from people impersonating elected officials and candidates.

·Cedar Rapids, United States
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Cherokee Tribune Ledger NewsCherokee Tribune Ledger News
+5 Reposted by 5 other sources
Center

Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate warns of texts impersonating officials, candidates

Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate issued a warning for Iowans Wednesday about reported mass texts impersonating elected officials and candidates. The state elections official said fraudulent messages were reported in Franklin, Johnson, and Madison counties. According to a news…

·Cherokee County, United States
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WEAREIOWAWEAREIOWA
Center

Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate warns against fraudulent election messages

The fraudulent messages have been reported in Franklin, Johnson, and Madison Counties. Learn how to stay on top of election misinformation this election season.

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Radio IowaRadio Iowa
Center

Pate warns of texts impersonating Iowa candidates, officials

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Radio Iowa broke the news in on Wednesday, October 15, 2025.
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