The Supreme Court of Iowa says that lawmakers do not need to hand over documents related to their work on a 2021 election law.
This is because the court found that these documents are protected by legislative privilege.
The court, according to the local outlet KCCI 8, rendered its decision in the case on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024.
The lawsuit came from the League of United Latin American Citizens.
KCCI 8 explains, "The League of United Latin American Citizens sued the State over the law that shortened Iowa's early voting period from 29 days to 20 and reduced the hours at polling places."
This law was passed in 2021. It was pushed by state Republicans in response to concerns about voting fraud in the 2020 presidential election.
The Des Moines Register, at the time, reported:
Iowa is among a national wave of Republican-led states whose leaders have expressed concerns about the integrity of the 2020 elections, taking the lead from former President Donald Trump, who falsely claimed the election was stolen from him. States such as Florida and Georgia have undertaken high-profile efforts to limit absentee voting after the practice surged in 2020.
The League of United Latin American Citizens alleged, in their lawsuit, that this law violates the state's constitutional protections for the right of citizens to vote in elections.
As part of their lawsuit, KCCI 8 reports, "The group was seeking documents detailing meetings lawmakers had with non-legislators while developing the plan" for the law.
Now, the state's supreme court has ruled that the lawmakers do not have to turn these documents over to the League of United Latin American Citizens.
The Des Moines Register reports, "In a decision Friday, the Iowa Supreme Court ruled those communications are both privileged and irrelevant to the case."
The outlet further reports that the state supreme court "held, for the first time, that the Iowa Constitution shields legislative communications, including with non-legislators, when they relate to considering and passing legislation."
Iowa Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver, one of the legislators targeted by the lawsuit, praised the ruling.
He said:
I appreciate the decision today from a unanimous Supreme Court. Iowans and organizations they support must have the freedom to engage with their elected officials on issues of personal importance to them without fear of public retribution from their opponents.
