MADISON COUNTY, Iowa – The Chairwoman of the Madison County Board of Supervisors is now under investigation for alleged election misconduct.

“The Madison County Sheriff’s Office is fully aware of a recent online public statement allegedly made by a member of the Madison County Board of Supervisors,” said Sheriff Jason Barnes in a release. “The statement is in regard to a petition being sought by some residents of Madison County who are seeking a special election to choose their County Auditor.”

Barnes identified a Facebook comment by Chairwoman Heather Stancil as the source of the investigation.

“The comment, which appeared to be posted by Stancil in a thread regarding the Auditor on the public page dedicated to her elected position, reads, in part: “My lane is, and always will be, with the taxpayers who pay for everything. I look forward to working with our new Auditor to continue to find ways to save taxpayer money (like we already did this year), and if your & Vicky’s PAC and the Democrat party are successful in getting a special election called, I will then work to find ways to offset that additional cost to taxpayers by shrinking government. “

The last sentence is the section where Barnes said Stancil allegedly violated Iowa Code 39A.2 by attempting to influence voters from signing the petition.

Barnes said the statement and a preliminary investigation have been forwarded to the Iowa Attorney General’s Office as required by Iowa law.  

“Regardless of any public post or comment, the people’s ability to exercise their constitutional right to sign a petition or participate in a constitutionally protected activity will continue to be protected,” Barnes said. “Anyone who signs a petition or chooses not to sign it will do it without fear of an adversarial response by anyone or any group that opposes or supports the petition.”

The news comes one week after newly-appointed Auditor Matthew Schwarz was sworn in and a local grassroots organization called the Madison County Civic Alliance began collecting signatures for a Special Election in hopes of filling the position with a different candidate.

Schwarz was appointed following a 2–1 vote by the Board of Supervisors, reflecting a familiar pattern in which Supervisor Hobbs and Chairwoman Stancil vote together, while Supervisor Fitch consistently votes in opposition. All three are Republicans.

WHO 13 reached out to Stancil by phone Monday afternoon, but did not immediately hear back.

This is a developing story. Check back shortly for more information.