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Monday, May. 3, 2021

Did Democrats try to cheat in a close Iowa congressional election?

Jacob Alabab-Moser, Gigafact
no

Democrat Rita Hart contested her narrow defeat in the 2020 election in Iowa's Second Congressional District following a process outlined by federal law. Hart filed a notice of contest, allowing the House of Representatives to claim jurisdiction over the dispute and the House Administration Committee to begin an investigation.

The House through its history has heard and resolved many contested elections. Hart lost to Republican Mariannette Miller-Meeks by a margin of 47 votes in the initial results and six votes in the recount. Hart contended that election officials improperly excluded ballots during the canvass and that the recount did not comply with state and federal laws.

On March 31, 2021, Hart withdrew her election challenge, citing a ”toxic campaign of political disinformation” about the review by Republicans. Miller-Meeks said “it was gracious of her to concede.”

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