Legislative Priorities
Felon Voting Restoration
Iowa is the only state in the nation that takes away the right to vote for felony status unless application is made to the Governor for restoration. We support Governor Reynold’s call to change Iowa’s constitution to restore felon voting rights upon discharge after completion of their sentences. How is it possible to be an American without the right to vote? Let’s restore the full dignity of their citizenship to empower their full participation as they reenter society.
America is the land of the second chance – and when the gates of the prison open, the path ahead should lead to a better life.
– George W. Bush
The current narrative.
You’re done with your sentence. You’re released from the corrections facility. Your freedom is restored even if you’re still interacting with the criminal justice system via parole or another conditional arrangement. You have served your time. You have repaid your debt to society. In a way, you are reborn though without the rituals of a baptism. You’re free and you can start over now, right?
If you are an Iowan with a felony status, the answer is no.
In our state, you’re rebranded. You are no longer a person, citizen, or Iowan first. First, you’re a felon. You are not allowed to serve your time and reenter society as a free citizen and so you are not completely free. You may have served your time in the corrections system, but in the world of voting, you’ve been given a life sentence. You must carry the burden of that their sentence with you wherever you go and hope that people will be tolerant of your past. You must rely on your neighbors to choose who should represent you in your city, your state, and for the entire nation. You could attempt a request to the Governor to have your voting restored, but you’re worried that with all of the important responsibilities of the Governor, that she’ll have no time to hear your story. Plus, the process seems so long and difficult, and you’d rather spend that time looking for a job or reconnecting with family. That is, if you even know about the process for restoration – like many people convicted of felonies, you y be marginalized and socially isolated. You have lost the ability to participate in one of the most important and founding elements of our democracy.
The ideal story.
America is the land of second chances. We were settled on the idea of retreat from oppression, exploration of new opportunities, and a chance to begin anew. A new life improved by lessons learned from the old one and fueled by the desire to enjoy the benefits of a free society. Lifetime disenfranchisement for our returning citizens does not reflect these core American values.
We don’t tell Iowans that they are no longer a full citizen, even after they’ve served their time. We don’t force Iowans through an arduous, unreliable, and unnecessary process to have their voting rights restored, a notable burden to reentry and one more reason for returning citizens to lose the momentum to grow. Our citizens have the right to reform without arbitrary barriers and to become contributing members of society after serving their sentence. They have the right to speak their truth about the lives they want to build for themselves, their children, and their communities. They have the right to express these desires in the single most powerful way an American can – voting.
Our forefathers fought a revolution to build a republic centered on self-governance. Self-governance permits one vote for each citizen of the United States of America and everyone is expected to participate. This is powered by the mutual respect of our collective experiences and knowledge. The value of our diverse opinions is observed in the act of voting. So, how is it possible to be an American without the right to vote?
“Finally, I am renewing my support to amend our Constitution so that it no longer bars felons from voting after they’ve served their sentence.
To see why that matters, talk to William Burt from Waterloo. He spent much of his life in and out of prison, but is now a business owner who is working to change Iowa law to allow mobile barber shops – which I think is a good idea.
I recently called William to tell him that I was restoring his voting rights. Hearing those words brought tears to his eyes. You can’t imagine the gratitude and dignity that Iowans like William feel when they’re told they can once again exercise what Ronald Reagan called “the crown jewel of American liberties.”
Governor Kim Reynolds,
Condition of the State Address, January 14, 2020
At IHRC, we believe in second (or third) chances, because we’ve met the incredible people who evolve to become more than who they once were. Empowering them, supporting them, and believing in them has never come with consequences or regret. We have learned from their experiences and knowledge and we value their diverse opinions. We’re a better organization for it. Everyone – returning citizens included – has the right to be represented in the legislative branch where the laws that govern us all are made. We believe Iowa will be better for it.
This is not a new idea.
We support Governor Reynold’s call to change this narrative. In 2019, the Governor led the conversation to change Iowa’s constitution to restore felon voting rights upon discharge after completion of their sentences. We remain the only state in the nation that takes away the right to vote unless they apply to the Governor for restoration. In her Condition of the State address to the Iowa General Assembly on January 14, 2020, she again called for this to be changed. We agree. A new story must be written in Iowa.
“Together, we can help put returning citizens on a path to redemption. We can help them become productive members of society, reduce recidivism, and make our communities a safer place.”
Governor Kim Reynolds,
Condition of the State Address, January 14, 2020
