How Iowa's Secretary of State Paul Pate starts his day

When Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate goes to family events and the conversation turns political, you likely won't hear him engage: "I say, 'How about Caitlin Clark?''"

Driving the news: You probably don't need the reminder, but there's a major election Nov. 5 , and as head of our elections, Pate is the man behind the scenes, making sure things run smoothly and transparently.

Zoom out: These days, the job nationwide has become more volatile — just last month, someone sent a suspicious package to his office , prompting an evacuation.

• And Republicans and Democrats are reporting less trust in the election system.

Yes, but: Pate, who's spent his career as an entrepreneur and public official, has spent the last few weeks traveling across the state, reassuring Iowans that the state's election system is trustworthy and secure — even if you don't like the results.

• "My concern right now, and somewhat disappointment, is we've become so polarized, and I think that could really impact voter turnout," Pate says.
• "I have confidence in Iowans that they will get past that, and they will do their due diligence, and they'll be out there and make sure they vote."

What's next: On Election Day, don't expect to see him casting his ballot — he already voted early in his hometown of Cedar Rapids .

Here's how Pate starts his day:

⏰ Wake up: Before 6am on Election Day and typically 6am any other day.

🍳 Breakfast: Pate isn't a coffee person, opting for Pepsi instead.

📚 What he's reading: He says he reads a diverse array of news from outlets that lean both left and right.

💡 His advice to people interested in public office: Get involved early — even as early as running for your school's student council.