DES MOINES, Iowa - Iowa has a new voter registration form which clarifies that Iowans with felony convictions can register to vote once their rights are restored.
Secretary of State Paul Pate's office released the new form Friday. He also introduced a website to assist released felons in registering
Governor Kim Reynolds issued an executive order in August that returned voting rights to those who have completed all terms of their sentence.
“I agree with Governor Reynolds that Iowans who have served their time deserve a second chance and should be able to make their voices heard by voting," said Pate. "These resources will help Iowans with felony convictions participate in the process."
Pate says he received help from the Governor’s Office, the NAACP, the League of Women Voters and the Brennan Center for Justice on how to assist Iowans with felony convictions.
Between 50,000 and 60,000 people are estimated to have been prevented from voting in Iowa because of felony convictions.
The policy has also kept nearly 1 in 10 Black Iowans of voting age from voting, according to a 2016 estimate from The Sentencing Project.