Des Moines BLM Disappointed With Gov Reynolds on Felon Voting Rights

DES MOINES, Iowa - Des Moines Black Lives Matter says it's disappointed over inaction by Governor Kim Reynolds to draft language to restore felon voting rights.

The group met with Reynolds Monday after they say they were told by her Friday that she would work on language for an executive order.

They say they were told by Governor Reynolds that it would take until late summer or early fall before language could be drawn up.

Black Lives Matter says it now plans to form a coalition and draft an executive order themselves to present to the governor.

Meanwhile, the American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa is praising Reynolds for committing to come up with an executive order before November's election. Democratic State Representative Ako Abdul Samad also confirmed that the governor said she'd sign an order before the election.

Restoring felon voting rights is among a set of demands presented by Des Moines Black Lives Matter to Governor Reynolds and Iowa lawmakers in the aftermath of George Floyd's death in Minneapolis.

The group was frustrated before getting its Monday meeting with Reynolds, saying it would file a Freedom of Information Act request to get access to her schedule.

Iowa is the only state in the country that bans all felons from voting after being released fro prison unless they apply personally to the governor's office to have their rights restored.


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