IOWA Governor, Kim Reynolds Signs Executive Order giving Voting Rights to those with Felony Convictions.

Iowans with felony convictions have had their voting rights restored to them as the November election approaches.

This came as the Governor of IOWA signed an executive order on August 6 to give them back their voting right, before the signing of the executive order, Iowa was the only state that had permanently disenfranchised their felons unless they made a direct appeal to the governor.

The executive order which was signed now gives felons a right to vote once they have completed their sentence, this also includes probation, parole, and special sentences which are linked to sex offenses.

For those who are convicted of murder, attempted murder, some sex offenses, and other felony offenses which are in Iowa’s homicide code, the order doesn’t automatically restore their rights to them. Those who don’t have their rights restored to them upon completing their sentence can move to apply to the governor for individual rights restoration.

The President of the Iowa-Nebraska National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) said the executive order will restore the voting rights of 40,000 former felons who have completed their prison sentences, probation, and parole.

According to the estimates form 2016 by The Sentencing Project, the number of Iowans that were disenfranchised because of a felony conviction was between 50,000 and 60,000. The policy has had a racial impact, which saw the ban of nearly 1 in 10 Black Iowans which were of voting age.

Betty Andrews encouraged people to register. She further said “Now our work is to make sure that people are registered and understand as of today they don’t need to do paperwork, they don’t need to do anything like that. As of today, they are allowed to vote.”

The NAACP ensured that the felons won’t have to make any financial restitution to the state before they are eligible to vote during elections.

In a news release, Mark Stringer the executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) said “Iowa no longer is the only state in the country to permanently and for life ban its citizens from voting following any felony conviction… We’re relieved that the Governor’s order does not make eligibility to vote dependent on how much money a person has, that is, it’s not contingent on paying off fees and fines or other associated debts.”

The move made by Reynolds have received criticisms and great opposition even from fellow Republicans, they opined that felons who owe restitution to some victims must pay it before they are given back their right to vote during elections.

Some voting rights activists stated that such repayment will be a major hindrance to some of those who can’t afford to pay. For Florida, it made an amendment to its rule which would see that felons pay a compulsory fee before their voting right is restored to them.

Lebron James’ More Than A Vote initiative has donated $100,000 to help former Florida felons gain their right to vote in the coming elections.

Governor Reynolds wouldn’t be the first Iowa governor to restore voting rights. Governor Tim Vilsack in 2005 restored voting rights to felons, but the order was reversed in 2011 by Governor Terry Branstad, as the order given required those who have completed their sentence to appeal directly to the governor to be able to vote. Such a reversal is still likely to occur, and Reynolds is in search of a permanent solution.