DES MOINES (AP) — A rule proposed by Iowa Secretary of State Matt Schultz that would establish a process for removing voters from registration rolls if they can’t prove citizenship drew heavy criticism Thursday from around the state at a public hearing.

“As a veteran this is not what those of us who went to Vietnam fought for,” said Arthur Heyderman, of Bettendorf. “It is not what my brothers and sisters died for.”

Heyderman echoed the belief of many speakers that Schultz should work to encourage more voters rather than discourage some. Many said Schultz, a Republican, is motivated by politics to limit the minority vote and hasn’t shown voter fraud is a problem in Iowa.