Background
Schultz grew up in West Des Moines, Iowa and graduated from Brigham Young University–Idaho, the University of Iowa, and the Creighton University School of Law.
Schultz grew up in West Des Moines, Iowa and graduated from Brigham Young University–Idaho, the University of Iowa, and the Creighton University School of Law.
Associate of Arts, Brigham Young University, Idaho, 2001. Bachelor in Political Science with honors, University Iowa, 2003. Juris Doctor, Creighton University, 2006.
He served a two-year mission for the church in Argentina. He was elected to public office in 2005 as a city councilman in Council Bluffs, Iowa, where he served for five years. He was elected to the position of Secretary of State in 2010, and was the youngest secretary of state in the country.
While in office, Schultz has created a new statewide lien registration system and focused on a new voter-Idaho law.
On July 20, 2012 Schultz approved two emergency voter fraud rules that would allow him to challenge the registration of voters if their names are similar to names found on state and federal lists of foreign nationals, and also approved a rule allowing people to file complaints of voter fraud without oaths via e-mail. In December 2013, it was reported that an investigation by the office of the Secretary of State was passing along 16 cases of voter fraud to local county officials.
As of December 17, 2013, five people pled guilty to attempted voter fraud, and five other cases were dismissed. On January 22, 2014, Schultz announced charges in nine additional voter fraud cases.
Many of the original 16 charges, and all 9 of the later charges were on citizens convicted of felonies whose voting rights had not been restored.
State Auditor Mary Mosiman has stated that Schultz" use of HAVA (Help American"s Vote Acting) funds might be in violation of their intended use. Mosiman stated that Schultz" may be required to repay the federal grant if asked to do southern The Des Moines Register on February 24, 2014 reported more than 80 (cases) have been referred to county attorneys for possible prosecution.
The Des Moines Register on May 15, 2014 reported that, Matt Schultz"s voter fraud investigation cost taxpayers $250,000 and resulted in a total of 6 guilty pleas.
Equalling approximately $42,000 per guilty plea. Photo Idaho for voters
Schultz has supported legislation to require photo identification for voters.
He says a voter Idaho requirement is "common sense" and necessary to prevent voter fraud. Iowa Democrats say that he is attempting to disenfranchise voters, and the American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa says that voter fraud is not a problem.
Iowa Senate Democrats blocked the legislation, and The Gazette, an eastern Iowa newspaper reported, "Schultz has turned a reasonable, principled position into a political sideshow".
On January 9, 2014, Schultz announced he would be a candidate for the United States. House of Representatives. He ran to represent Iowa"s 3rd congressional district, after the announcement by Congressman Tom Latham that he would be retiring from Congress in 2014. He finished third in the primary, and endorsed would be candidate David Young at convention.
He was instead the Republican nominee for Madison County attorney, winning the general election with 61%, defeating incumbent Democrat Julie Bardwell-Forsyth.
Republican Party of Iowa, Republican Party.
He has also worked to ease the voting process for active members of the military from Iowa.
Married Zola Schultz. Children: Levi, Hyrum, Kendra.