Cruz Voter Mailer Called 'Misleading' By Election Official, Trump

DES MOINES, IA — A mailer issued by Sen. Ted Cruz’s campaign ticked off many Iowans over the weekend, and was denounced by the state’s top election official, for its implied threat that voters have violated the law by not going to a caucus in the past.

Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate, a Republican, said that the Cruz mailer misrepresents Iowa election law by accusing residents of a “voting violation” based on past caucus participation, or lack thereof. Pate added that his offices doesn’t track caucus participation or keep a voter scorecoard.

“Any insinuation or statement to the contrary is wrong and I believe it is not in keeping in the spirit of the Iowa Caucuses,” Pate said.

At the top of the mailer, in a bold red box, are the words “VOTING VIOLATION.” The New Yorker reports that below that warning text is this explanation:

“You are receiving this election notice because of low expected voter turnout in your area. Your individual voting history as well as your neighbors’ are public record. Their scores are published below, and many of them will see your score as well. CAUCUS ON MONDAY TO IMPROVE YOUR SCORE and please encourage your neighbors to caucus as well. A follow-up notice may be issued following Monday’s caucuses.”

GOP front-runner Donald Trump bashed the mailer this weekend on Twitter: “The Cruz campaign issued a dishonest and deceptive get out the vote ad calling voters “in violation.” They are now under investigation. Bad!”

The Cruz campaign followed research from past Iowa races that found more registered voters turned out if they received mailers warning their participation in the election would be publicized. Language about the two previous elections and whether the recipient voted had the biggest effect on turnout.

Cruz defended the mailers while speaking to reporters Saturday in Sioux City, CBS News said.

“I will apologize to nobody for using every tool we can to encourage Iowa voters to come out to vote,” Cruz said. “Our mailer was modeled after the very successful 2014 mailers that the Republican Party of Iowa distributed to motivate Republican voters to vote, and which helped elect numerous Republican candidates during that cycle.”