Open Letter to Johnson County Auditor Sheriff Presence at Early Voting Polls

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November 3rd, 2026

Julie Persons

Johnson County Auditor 

Johnson County Administration Building

913 S. Dubuque Street

Iowa City, IA 52240

Dear Julie Persons,

Great Plains Action Society is reaching out to the Johnson County Auditor and Commissioner of Elections office following numerous complaints from our community. We have received several reports, including photographs, that Sheriff Brad Kunkel was stationed outside the drive-through voting station yesterday, November 2nd, during early voting hours. 

This is very distressing given Sheriff Brad Kunkel's elected position and his active lobbying for the New Jail Campaign. So prominent is Sheriff Kunkel’s role in the new jail that several of our community members see him as the face of this campaign. In response to the office's Facebook page, posted this morning, against congregation and electioneering within 300 feet of any polling place, we expect better from the office. 

Another distressing aspect of this situation is voter suppression and intimidation. A valued community member compared it to police intimidation following the 15th and 19th amendment ratifications and more recently, police intimidation in areas with a higher population of BIPOC voters after the dissolution of poll taxes. Many Johnson County voters of all races and creeds have a healthy fear of the Sheriff's office due to past interactions, arrests, recent police shootings in the area, and ICE activity in the Johnson/Linn County area over the past several months. 

While we understand the office may feel a police presence is necessary at a drive-through voting location, we question this decision and the specific use of Sheriff Brad Kunkel, especially under Iowa Code 39A.4, 18 U.S. Code § 592 and 18 U.S. Code § 594. Though these codes do not apply to local police forces, we must reinforce that having the Johnson County Sheriff at voting locations feels against the spirit of these laws. 

Great Plains Action Society upholds the right to vote held by all of our relatives. We greatly appreciate your response to these events.