A Republican political consultant filed a formal complaint Tuesday against Democratic state Auditor Rob Sand alleging unethical — and potentially criminal behavior — after Sand handed out pizzas while people were voting early Monday at the Polk County Election Office in downtown Des Moines.
Luke Martz of Riverfront Strategy Group sent the election misconduct complaint to Attorney General Brenna Bird, Secretary of State Paul Pate, Iowa Public Safety Commissioner Stephan Bayens, Polk County Sheriff Kevin Schneider and Zach Goodrich, director of the Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board.
A state law prohibits people from “treating” voters at a polling place or within 300 feet outside of one.
“Rob Sand is an elected official and one of the loudest and frequent surrogates for Lanon Baccam,” Martz said Tuesday night. “It’s incredibly inappropriate, not to mention illegal, for him to be handing out free food to voters who are about to cast their ballot for the 3rd Congressional (District) race and every other race. Sand knows better, but thinks he is above the law.”