Can Iowa Felons Vote in the Upcoming Election?

Many moons ago my family was the victim of a serious crime.  The perpetrator was caught by two stellar detectives and after a trial was sent to prison for the better part of 15 years though they were supposed to be in for 25.  That person got out and tried to reach out to us to apologize and read something that was prepared but none of us were interested in hearing it.

What  I did accept from the situation was something none of us expected and that was forgiveness but from afar.  I couldn't accept a personal apology but was ok with this person being reintegrated into society.  My mom felt they should stay in jail forever and that's just not feasible for every infraction that we don't like.  I think about the crime against us regularly, it's not something you forget but most of us are saddled with something.  If we don't allow people who have committed crimes to become members of society again, it sets them up for failure.  If a criminal serves their time, however heinous the crime and the case has been properly adjudicated, shouldn't we as a society allow them back in the fray? I don't always like the idea but sometimes we must wear shoes that are not ours and walk a mile in them.

What constitutes a felony in the state of Iowa?

According to Criminal defense lawyer.com A felony in Iowa is a crime that is punishable by a prison sentence of at least two years. Felonies are classified by severity, from class "A" to "D", with "A" being the most serious.

Class "A" felony
The most serious felony, punishable by life in prison. This includes sexual assaults that cause serious injury.
Class "B" felony
Punishable by up to 25 years in prison. This includes possession of 100–1,000 kilograms of marijuana.
Class "C" felony
First-degree theft, which carries a maximum 10-year prison sentence and a fine of $1,370–$13,660.
Class "D" felony
Theft of property valued between $1,000–$10,000, or theft of an automobile or motorcycle

Can felons vote in the state of Iowa?

If you are convicted of a felony your right to vote is cancelled in the state of Iowa so says the Iowa Secretary of State.  The state of Iowa wasn't keeping up with other states that restored voting rights.  Iowa now allows a felon's voting rights to be restored by the Governor upon completion of the felony sentence as defined in Executive Order Number Seven (E07).

What is Executive Order Number Seven?

The Iowa Secretary of State's office says this about E07.

'On Wednesday, August 5, 2020, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed Executive Order Number Seven.  Executive Order Number Seven (EO7) serves as a restoration of voting rights for Iowans who had completed their felony sentences as of August 5, 2020. Additionally, EO7 states that Governor Reynolds will continue to issue restorations of voting rights on a daily basis for those who complete their sentence in the future.

Get our free mobile app

In summary, an individual with a felony conviction is eligible to vote if they have completed all terms of confinement, parole, probation, or other supervised release for all felony convictions, including the completion of any special sentence imposed pursuant to Iowa Code chapter 903B (SEX OFFENDER SPECIAL SENTENCING). The only exception is for individuals who have been convicted of a crime found in Iowa Code Chapter 707 (HOMICIDE AND RELATED CRIMES). Individuals convicted of a Chapter 707 crime will need to apply to the Governor for restoration. Any individual with a felony conviction may still apply to the Governor for restoration.

Under the Governor's Executive Order, you need not have paid fines, fees or restitution, or be on a payment plan, to be entitled to vote, though you remain obligated to pay these.  If you have questions about when you completed your sentence, you can contact the Iowa Department of Corrections at (515) 725‐5701.  If you have questions regarding the applicability of EO7, you can call the Governor's Office at 515-281-5211 or click here to visit their website.

\