After Ian Andre Roberts, the superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools in Iowa, was arrested, Republicans voiced concerns over his status as an active voter registered as a Democrat in Maryland, despite being an undocumented immigrant.
According to the Maryland Election Commission, Roberts has maintained his student visa since 1999, and his voter registration in Maryland is still active. This situation was highlighted by columnist Dustin Greige.
Matt Morgan, who leads the Maryland House Freedom Caucus, pointed out that even though Roberts is not a U.S. citizen, he seems to be allowed to vote in federal, state, and local elections. Interestingly, he hasn’t lived in Maryland for the past decade, which raises questions about his eligibility.
Morgan explained that Maryland law does not permit non-citizens to register for federal or state voting, regardless of their legal residency status.
Following the incident, the House Freedom Caucus is pressing the Maryland Election Commission to address what they call a “gap” in election integrity.
In a letter sent to the Election Commission, they asked for clarification about why the board has not complied with requests from the Justice Department, particularly in connection with immigration enforcement and adherence to federal election laws.
Morgan referenced a letter from the Maryland Election Commission to the Department of Justice where concerns were raised about sharing voter information, fearing it could be used to enforce immigration laws against residents.
He questioned the rationale, stating, “If illegal aliens aren’t supposed to vote, then why are they listed on the rolls?” This, he suggested, might undermine the integrity of the voting system.
Roberts, who had previously made significant changes in Des Moines Public Schools, was arrested last week on a warrant for escape. Authorities noted he attempted to flee but was found hiding in brush, with evidence including $3,000 in cash, a loaded firearm, and a hunting knife discovered in his vehicle. Additionally, Roberts has been suspected of illegal weapon possession since 2020 and was given a removal order in 2024.
Morgan expressed concern that Roberts may not be an isolated case, hinting at potential broader issues with illegal voter registrations in Maryland.
“We just don’t know how extensive the problem is,” he stated. “It’s a bit uncharted.”
