(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate’s challenge of votes by potential non-citizens could factor in the state Senate District 14 race. The Dallas County Auditor cannot count ballots from people on that list unless the individuals prove they voted legally. There were 19 ballots on hold as of this morning (Friday) — which is equal to Democrat Sarah Trone Garriott’s lead over Republican Mark Hanson.

Trone Garriott says every legal ballot should be counted. “There are people who are citizens who have a right to vote and who don’t know that their right has been challenged.”

Notices were mailed about one week ago to the people on the Secretary of State’s list. Dallas County Auditor Julia Holm says her office has also called people they had numbers for. Any new citizens in Iowa who voted early or by mail should contact their county auditor to make sure their ballot is counted by the deadline at noon on Tuesday.