Iowa Governor Restores Voting Rights to Former Felons (other than those convicted of crime involving homicide).
The Governor of Iowa has signed an executive order restoring the voting rights and the right to hold public office, to most people who have committed criminal offenses.
The good is that it does not exclude persons who have committed an offense in the category of “sex offenses”
The good is that the preamble recognizes that restoration of voting rights will make our communities safer!
The bad is that it still carves out individuals convicted of a “707” offense, which includes homicide-related offenses, including such things as pre-meditated murder, involuntary manslaughter and partial birth abortions.
While we are pleased that the governor did not carve out our population, we are displeased that any category of offense was carved out. All individuals should be given back their rights as citizens once they completely repay their debt to society. If there offense were so heinous and their debt to repay was so great, they should be serving life sentences and this would be a non-issue.
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American Bar Association now supports voting by inmates (and there is no apparent sex offender exception, either; h/t Guy Hamilton-Smith):
https://twitter.com/emilydindial/status/1293976477147582467?s=12
If I am reading this article correctly, the state of Indiana is also to be commended in its decision to allow ALL constituents of the state the right to vote.
https://www.wfyi.org/news/articles/here-are-the-11-reasons-youre-allowed-to-vote-by-mail-in-indiana
Florida is the only state to specifically carve out sex offenders when it comes to voting rights, amirite?
Iowa has a particularly nasty provision in sentencing regarding sex offenders. Iowa Code section 903B (referenced in the executive order) requires most sex offenders be sentenced to a “special sentence.” Under this provision, a sex offender is committed to the custody of the DOC for a term of life or 10 years depending on the offense level. This is explicitly in addition to, and consecutive to, any “other punishment provided by law.” The upside is that they are eligible for parole or work release.
Although not explicitly exempted in the executive order, most sex offenders may never receive its benefits because of 903B and its “corrections continuum.” I certainly agree with FAC that there should be no exemptions. Once a sentence is served, re-enfranchisement should happen for everyone.
And I thought Florida had tortured and draconian laws regarding sex offenses! The convoluted and intertwined Iowa statutes are nearly impossible to decipher by any lay person. Iowa legislators have way too much time on their hands.
Veritas.
Unless you’re serving a life sentence in prison, you should be able to vote. If not, then this country needs to shut up once and for all about how “great” it is.
This is worthy of being brought to the attention of Governor DeSantis…which I plan to do.
Im mean really do you need to carve out murder convictions? If someone has been convinced of Murder its unlikely they will be making it to the polls in any upcoming elections.. and if you have enough convicted murders in your state free to vote you may need to look at electing some new prosecutors.