DES MOINES, Iowa - The Iowa legislature failed to pass a constitutional amendment to restore felon voting rights, which was a priority for Governor Kim Reynolds.
Senate Republicans did not debate a constitutional amendment before adjourning Sunday, saying it wasn't necessary because it appeared that Governor Reynolds would sign an executive order in the next several days.
"Over the last couple days, it appeared the governor intended to sign an executive order regarding felon voting rights," said Republican Senator Dan Dawson of Council Bluffs in a statement Sunday.. "It was the opinion of a number of my colleagues that an executive order eliminated the need for a constitutional amendment."
Members of Des Moines Black Lives Matter met with Reynolds on Friday, and said they were scheduled to meet with heragain Monday. They said she would look at language for an executive order to restore felon voting rights upon release from prison.
Reynolds had previously said she preferred a constitutional amendment to achieve the goal because executive orders can be reversed by subsequent governors.
The legislature's failure to pass a constitutional amendment means its process will be delayed by years. Constitutional amendments must be approved by the legislature in two separate sessions and then go to a public vote before becoming law.
Iowa is the only state that doesn't restore felon voting rights upon prison release. The constitutional amendment that was under consideration would have required felons to pay any restitution to victims before receiving their voting rights. Des Moines Black Live Matter has said that requirement is unacceptable.
The group held a protest and block party Saturday at Terrace Hill, the governor's residence.
The call to restore felon voting rights has picked up steam in the last several weeks with protests after the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis Police custody. Previously, the NAACP and the American Civil Liberties Union had called for an executive order from Governor Reynolds.