Montgomery County poll worker acquitted of 2024 election misconduct

A Montgomery County, Iowa man accused of interfering with absentee ballot counting during the 2024 election was acquitted after a jury trial on Thursday, Oct. 8. Democrat Joey Norris, 46, had been charged in June with felony election misconduct, more than a year after he was removed from absentee ballot counting in November 2024 following disputes with Republican County Auditor Jill Ozuna. Prosecutors argued his conduct hindered fair and orderly election administration. Norris’ defense said the state was trying to criminalize routine procedural disagreements. The verdict marks another trial loss for Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird, whose office has faced multiple election-related acquittals.