DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The loud cry for voter ID and voter fraud investigations is fading to a whimper as Iowa’s top election official prepares to leave and those seeking to replace him downplay the politically charged issues. Iowa Secretary of State Matt Schultz leaves in January after pursuing high profile voter fraud investigations costing $250,000, proposing a voter purge rule for those lacking citizenship proof, and lobbying for voter ID.

Brad Anderson, the Democrat seeking the office opposes voter ID and says he would immediately end criminal fraud investigations. He says Iowa’s 99 should use the same computerized poll book program. Republican former Secretary of State Paul Pate also supports statewide electronic poll books, which he says if designed right can accomplish the same ends as voter ID without alienating or disenfranchising people.