Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA) is facing an ethics investigation request regarding her voter registration address.
According to the Washington Examiner, a LeClaire, Iowa resident has accused Miller-Meeks of maintaining her primary residence outside the district she represents. The complaint has been filed with the federal Office of Congressional Ethics.
Joyce Keuhl, the resident who filed the request, alleges that documents indicate Miller-Meeks primarily resides in her Ottumwa home, which is located in the 3rd Congressional District. This contradicts Miller-Meeks' current representation of Iowa's 1st District, raising questions about potential violations of state voting laws and House ethics rules.
Following the 2020 census, Miller-Meeks' Ottumwa home was redrawn into the 3rd Congressional District. At that time, she stated she would not sell the property but would establish residence in the 1st District, which she represents. Prior to the 2022 election, Miller-Meeks changed her voting address to a state senator's home in LeClaire, Scott County, which falls within the 1st District.
In a subsequent move, just before Iowa's June 4 primary, Miller-Meeks updated her voting address again, this time to an apartment in Davenport, also in Scott County. However, Keuhl's investigation request points out that recent property tax statements show Miller-Meeks and her husband received a homestead credit for the Ottumwa property over the last two tax periods.
Further complicating the matter, Miller-Meeks' congressional disclosure reports for 2022 and 2023 mention a mortgage on her "personal residence in Ottumwa." Additionally, campaign contributions list her Ottumwa address as her mailing address.
While federal law does not mandate that members of Congress reside in the district they represent, they are required to live in the state they represent. Iowa's election law, however, is more specific. It defines a voter's residence as "the place which the person declares is the person's home with the intent to remain there permanently or for a definite, or indefinite, or indeterminable length of time."
Keuhl's request argues that if Miller-Meeks provided an incorrect address for her voter registration, she may be in violation of House rules. These rules require members to "conduct (themselves) at all times in a manner that shall reflect creditability on the House" and give the ethics committee authority to address members' violations of the law.
The ethics request submitted by Keuhl states:
Though Miller-Meeks has been registered to vote at various addresses in Scott County for nearly two years now, the facts presented above strongly suggest that her residence — the home where she lives and the primary home where she sleeps at night — is in Wapello County. Thus, it appears she is violating Iowa voting law by remaining registered to vote and voting in a county and precinct where she does not reside.
The allegations raised in this ethics request could have significant implications for Miller-Meeks if found to be true. Violations of state voting laws and House ethics rules can lead to serious consequences for elected officials, potentially affecting their credibility and ability to serve effectively.
Miller-Meeks has not publicly responded to these allegations. The Washington Examiner reports that they have reached out to the representative for comment, but no response has been provided at the time of publication.
It's important to note that this is currently a request for an investigation, and no formal findings have been made. The Office of Congressional Ethics will need to review the complaint and determine if there are grounds for a full investigation.
Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks is facing an ethics investigation request over her voter registration address. A LeClaire resident alleges Miller-Meeks primarily resides in Ottumwa, which is outside the 1st District she represents. The complaint cites property tax statements, congressional disclosures, and campaign contribution records as evidence. While federal law doesn't require representatives to live in their district, Iowa voting law has specific residency requirements. The Office of Congressional Ethics will review the complaint to determine if a full investigation is warranted.
