Scott County Auditor Roxanna Moritz said a "constant barrage of lies and innuendoes" about election security, and "very little support from the Scott County Board of Supervisors," led to her decision to retire April 23.
Moritz issued a statement at 12:40 p.m. Wednesday elaborating on her retirement, disclosed in this week's edition of The NSP.
Here is her full statement:
Scott County Auditor Announes Retirement Plan
DAVENPORT – Scott County Auditor and Commissioner of Elections Roxanna Moritz announced today that she plans to leave office on April 23, 2021. She said her decision was based on the numerous demands placed on her as the Scott County Commissioner of Elections during the 2020 Primary and General Elections.
“After a difficult year in 2020 with both the Primary and the General Election, I have decided it is time for me to retire. Not only did we face the constant barrage of lies and innuendos in regards to the security and integrity of elections, but name calling and physical threats,” Moritz said. “It was not just me, but my staff faced this abuse as well,” Moritz added.
“For many years Iowa has been ranked in the top 10 when it comes to elections, and there is a reason for that. Iowa County Auditors have consistently run fair, honest and accurate elections,” she said. “In 2020 we had to include safe elections too. Covid-19 gave all us a new concept of what physical safety meant at the workplace as well as the polling locations. My staff, our poll workers and I worked diligently to conduct safe elections,” Moritz said.
“We were challenged with putting on elections under a new dynamic with very little support from the Scott County Board of Supervisors,” Moritz said. “For several years I have advocated before the Board for improvements. We do not have adequate training facilities for staff and poll workers. I have to divide my staff who have to work at two separate locations, and this fact makes it difficult to utilize staff as situations change,” Moritz said.
“I feel there has been a philosophical difference with the Board. I believe it is important for people to vote, whether it be at a poll location or by absentee ballot,” she said.
“The next auditor will have to deal with the same limitations. My one regret is not getting the Board to better support elections,” Moritz said. “The extensive election changes just enacted by the Iowa legislature will only make these limitations worse,” Moritz added.
“I cannot thank the citizens of Scott County enough for the many years of support through my journey in life as a Davenport City Council member, a Scott County Supervisor and then the last 14 years as Scott County Auditor and Commissioner of Elections,” Moritz said.
“I want to thank the many, many people who I have had the opportunity to work with. I thank my incredible staff who have been a great team.
“I thank the hundreds of poll-workers and their civic mindedness to make sure elections go smoothly, and their willingness to adapt to the many changes in voting laws and technology.
“Most importantly, I really want to thank the citizens who have chosen to vote in all the elections. Regardless of who or how you voted but that you understand your vote and voice matter,” Moritz said.