ACLU lawsuit challenges Iowa’s felon voting rules

The Washington Times ^ | November 7, 2014 | Ryan J. Foley

[iowamark]

The American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit Friday challenging Iowa’s tough policies that bar felons from voting, seeking to restore the right to thousands of former offenders before the 2016 presidential election.

The case aims to end confusion over rules that followed a 2011 policy change by Gov. Terry Branstad and a criminal investigation into people who improperly voted. Iowa is among three states where felons cannot vote after completing their sentences unless their rights are restored by the governor.

“The widespread denial of voting rights on the basis of a felony conviction is the single biggest denial of civil rights in Iowa. It has kept thousands of Iowans from voting,” ACLU attorney Rita Bettis said. “We’re very excited about this case and its potential to right a tremendous wrong.”

Spokesmen for Branstad and Secretary of State Matt Schultz, whose office oversees elections, said they couldn’t immediately comment because they hadn’t seen the lawsuit.

Bettis said the ACLU wants the court to severely limits the number of felony offenses that trigger the loss of voting rights, which would restore the right for many people, including those convicted for drug offenses.

In Iowa, ex-felons must complete a detailed application, submit proof that court costs are being paid, and request a criminal history check. Of the 14,350 felons who have completed sentences since 2011, only a few have applied.

Kentucky and Florida have similar laws.

Under a previous [Tom Vilsack] policy, Iowa offenders automatically regained their voting rights when they left state supervision. Branstad argued that wasn’t fair to victims, and that the application process he implemented ensures offenders are paying their debts before they can vote...

[iowamark]

Felons are an important part of the Democrat coalition.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Looks like Joni Ernst is pissin’ off the right people! You Go, Girl! :)

[ex91B10]

...ex-felons must complete a detailed application, submit proof that court costs are being paid, and request a criminal history check. Of the 14,350 felons who have completed sentences since 2011, only a few have applied.

There is a procedure in place. Too bad if a convicted felon cannot take the time out of his busy day to apply for reinstatement.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Iowa allows felons to petition the governor for restoration of rights. I recall Governor Ray approving several of these applications.

[Ouderkirk]

The democRAT party is the home of every type of criminal and pervert imaginable.

Today’s liberals aren’t fighting for equality of income, gender, race or any other kind. They are fighting to suppress any and all opposition to their policies by disrupting and destroying the existing American system at every level.

[PBRCat]

The loss of voting rights is one of the longstanding consequences of a felony conviction. Similar laws exist in most states. It speaks volumes that leftists complain that such laws amount to disenfranchisement. Jesse Jackson is always arguing that more African Americans could be added to the Democratic party’s voter rolls if felons were not barred from voting. In Chicago, he routinely tries to encourage pretrial detainees (in jail, but awaiting trial) to vote.

Imagine the uproar that would occur if the Republicans actively sought votes from convicted felons. As the article states, there is a procedure for a felon to seek to have his or her rights restored after serving prison time.

[oldplayer]

Is this premise accurate? There are only THREE states where a felony conviction is grounds for prohibiting voting? That seems wrong.
Oldplayer

[gunsequalfreedom]

Is this premise accurate? There are only THREE states where a felony conviction is grounds for prohibiting voting?

I have the same question.

[fruser1]

There doesn’t seem to be any problem having a procedure that keeps felons from getting guns. Is the ACLU trying to change that as well?

[TribalPrincess2U]

<...ex-felons must complete a detailed application, submit proof that court costs are being paid, and request a criminal history check. Of the 14,350 felons who have completed sentences since 2011, only a few have applied. There is a procedure in place. Then I'm sure as many felons as they can find will have the opportunity to be escorted to get whatever they need, helped with voting applications as well as voting registration, promised free stuff and a chicken dinner.

[TribalPrincess2U]

That did not come out right and I can’t correct it now.

[Vaduz]

Birds of feather.

[SunkenCiv]

> seeking to restore the right to thousands of former offenders before the 2016 presidential election... Iowa is among three states where felons cannot vote after completing their sentences unless their rights are restored by the governor... ex-felons must complete a detailed application, submit proof that court costs are being paid, and request a criminal history check. Of the 14,350 felons who have completed sentences since 2011, only a few have applied. Kentucky and Florida have similar laws.