Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate, left, smiles as state Rep. Dean Fisher (R-Montour), right, gives remarks after receiving the National Association of Secretaries of State Medallion Award Tuesday, April 21, 2026, in Des Moines. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate recently presented the prestigious National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) Medallion Award to Iowa State Representative Dean Fisher (R-Montour) for his work on Iowa’s Safe at Home program and to recognize the 10-year anniversary of the program’s launch.

Just over 10 years ago, Rep. Fisher introduced and championed the important legislation that would officially establish Iowa’s Safe at Home. The bill received unanimous support in both chambers and was signed into law by Governor Terry Branstad in May 2015. Safe at Home, an address confidentiality program for survivors of domestic violence, sexual abuse, assault, trafficking, and stalking, officially launched to the public in 2016.

The program provides a legal substitute address and mail forwarding services, allowing participants to safely register to vote and keep their address off the public record.

Since the launch of Safe at Home a decade ago, more than 3,000 Iowans have participated in the program – 882 participants cited domestic violence, 302 cited sexual assault, 449 cited stalking, 198 cited trafficking, 52 cited assault and other crimes, and 331 participated in Protect our Protectors, an extension of Safe at Home.

“Every Iowan deserves to be safe at home, and with this program, we are able to provide Iowans with that peace of mind,” Secretary Pate said. “Representative Fisher is a huge part of why this program now exists in Iowa – he fought tirelessly to advocate for the program and encourage his colleagues to support it. Thanks to his efforts, the bill passed with unanimous support, and thousands of Iowans have benefited. It is my immense honor to recognize him for these efforts with the Medallion Award.”

Secretary Pate presented the NASS Medallion Award to Rep. Fisher on Tuesday, April 21, alongside Rep. Fisher’s friends, colleagues, and representatives from a number of Safe at Home partner organizations.

“It was my pleasure and honor to sponsor the Safe at Home legislation in 2015,” Rep. Fisher said. “It warms my heart to know it has helped so many people over the last decade, and I was very honored to receive this award. I’m especially thankful that many who helped work on this bill showed up to help us celebrate the award and anniversary, and I thank Secretary Pate for recognizing our work with this award.”

Established by the National Association of Secretaries of State, the NASS Medallion Award honors individuals, groups, or organizations for outstanding service and dedication in civic engagement. Individuals who have an exemplary record of excellence in service to their communities, philanthropic contributions that improve quality of life, and dedication to voter and civic education.