Matt Schultz
| Matt Schultz | |
|---|---|
 |
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| 31st Iowa Secretary of State | |
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In office January 14, 2011 – January 14, 2015 |
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| Preceded by | Michael Mauro |
| Succeeded by | Paul Pate |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 23, 1979 |
| Political party | Republican |
| Occupation | Attorney |
| Religion | LDS Church |
| Website | Secretary of State website |
Matt Schultz (born July 23, 1979) is a Republican politician who served as Iowa Secretary of State.
Schultz grew up in West Des Moines, Iowa and graduated from Valley High School, Brigham Young University–Idaho, the University of Iowa, and the Creighton University School of Law.
He is an Eagle Scout, and is active in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). He served a two-year mission for the church in Argentina. He and his wife, Zola, live in Madison County with their five children.
He was elected to public office in 2005 as a city councilman in Council Bluffs, Iowa, where he served for five years.
He was elected to the position of Secretary of State in 2010, and was the youngest secretary of state in the country.
While in office, Schultz has created a new statewide lien registration system and focused on a new voter-ID law. He has also worked to ease the voting process for active members of the military from Iowa.
On July 20, 2012 Schultz approved two emergency voter fraud rules that would allow him to challenge the registration of voters if their names are similar to names found on state and federal lists of foreign nationals, and also approved a rule allowing people to file complaints of voter fraud without oaths via e-mail.
In December 2013, it was reported that an investigation by the office of the Secretary of State was passing along 16 cases of voter fraud to local county officials. As of December 17, 2013, five people pleaded guilty to attempted voter fraud, and five other cases were dismissed. On January 22, 2014, Schultz announced charges in nine additional voter fraud cases. Many of the original 16 charges, and all 9 of the later charges were on citizens convicted of felonies whose voting rights had not been restored. State Auditor Mary Mosiman has stated that Schultz' use of HAVA (Help American's Vote Act) funds might be in violation of their intended use. Mosiman stated that Schultz' may be required to repay the federal grant if asked to do so.
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