“Rote is registered as a Republican.”
Interesting wording.
Notice they do not say, “Rote is registered Republican.”
They say, “Rote is registered as a Republican.”
I would be like their saying “Rote is dressed as a zombie for Halloween.”
That would not mean that she is an actual zombie.
From the Des Moines Register: “Rote, a registered Republican, reportedly cast an early voting ballot at the Polk County Election Office, 120 Second Ave., and another ballot at a county satellite voting location in Des Moines, according to a Des Moines police.”