State certifies 2nd district, 2020 general election results

Posted

Miller-Meeks win 2nd Congressional District by six votes; Hart to petition under Federal Contested Elections Act.

BY PCC STAFF

DES MOINES – The Iowa State Canvassing Board officially certified the results of the 2020 general election on Monday.

Election turnout was the highest in state history, with more than 1.7 million voters casting ballots. Iowa’s turnout percentage of 76% was one of the highest in the nation. 

“I’m proud of all the work our election officials and poll workers put in and of the way Iowans showed up in record numbers to make their voices heard,” Secretary of State Paul Pate said.
“Despite the pandemic, we had record-breaking turnout in the June primary and November general election. That shows once again that Iowans’ commitment to civic engagement is unrivaled.”

All 24 counties conducted a recount of results in Iowa’s Second Congressional District race. The official numbers following the recount show Mariannette Miller-Meeks winning over Rita Hart by six votes, 196,964-196,958.

“This race reinforces that every single vote can make a difference and hopefully sends a message about how important it is to be a voter,” Pate said.

In a release issues Wednesday, Hart said she was going challenge the recount and take the count to the House Committee on Administration under the Federal Contested Elections Act, a decision that allows for enough time for all legally cast ballots to be considered.

"While that recount considered more votes, limitations in Iowa law mean there are more legally cast votes left to be counted. With a margin this small, it is critical that we take this next step to ensure Iowans’ ballots that were legally cast are counted," Hart said.

Below are some statistics from Iowa’s 2020 general election:

  • Voter turnout was 1,700,130, setting a new state record. The previous high was 1,589,951 set in 2012.
  • 1,001,573 Iowans cast absentee ballots, another state record. That accounted for 58.9% of all ballots.
  • The percentage of registered voters that participated was 75.77%, one of the highest turnout rates in the country.
  • Every county in the state surpassed 65% turnout. 
  • Harrison County had the best turnout percentage, 87.5%.
  • 14 counties surpassed 80% turnout: Benton, Bremer, Cedar, Dallas, Delaware, Fayette, Grundy, Harrison, Kossuth, Madison, Ringgold, Sioux, Warren, and Wayne.

The State Canvassing Board is comprised of Iowa’s Governor, Secretary of State, Secretary of Agriculture, State Auditor and State Treasurer.

The full State Canvass is available on the Secretary of State’s websiteat this link.

This article was updated to reflect Hart's Wednesday press release.

2nd Congressional District, canvass, certify, election, Mariannette Miller-Meeks, Pen City Current, Rita Hart, State of Iowa

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here