Nov. 1, 2005 – Voting rights groups have a new victory to cheer after an Iowa court on Friday found in favor of Governor Tom Vilsack’s executive order restoring voting rights to felons after they completed their sentences. The ruling by Muscatine County District Court Judge J. Hobart agreed that Vilsack possessed the authority to issue the order, the Associated Press reports.
- Civil Rights Groups Criticize Renewed Florida Felon Voter Purges (May 11, 2004)
- More Florida fake felon follies predicted for 2004 elections (Jun 11, 2004)
- Florida Ex-Felons Have No Automatic Right To Vote, Court Rules (Apr 15, 2005)
- Felon Voting Rights Conflict Hits Federal Court (Jun 24, 2005)
In June, Vilsack signed an order automatically restoring voting rights to convicts who had completed their sentences. Previously, those leaving state supervision were required to apply to the governor’s office to regain voting rights, a rule both the Iowa Civil Liberties Union and Iowa League of Women Voters said was discriminatory and unconstitutional.
The case was brought by Muscatine County Attorney Gary Allison, who told the AP that he did not plan to file an appeal but expected the state legislature to act to overturn Vilsack’s order.
State laws on felon and ex-felon voting rights vary and have been changing with greater frequency in recent years. According to the Right to Vote Campaign to End Felony Disenfranchisement, twelve states permanently disenfranchise felons unless government officials intervene: Florida, Arizona, Arkansas, Kentucky, Virginia, Wisconsin, Texas, West Virginia, Mississippi, Alabama, Maryland, Delaware, Tennessee and Nevada.
Maine and Vermont never take away a citizen’s right to vote, and another thirteen states plus the District of Columbia automatically restore the right upon release from prison.
With Vilsack’s order, Iowa joined four states – California, Colorado, Connecticut and New York – in restoring the right upon full completion of a sentence.
