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Iowa House passes felon rights amendment

The Iowa House Thursday started the wheels in motion to allow convicted felons who serve their sentence and all of the requirments to have their voting rights automatically restored.

They approved 95 to 2 a constitutional amendment that changes the Iowa constitution so that felons who "discharge" their sentence get to vote.

Democrats joined with Republicans in approving the amendment.

However, two Republicans, Reps. Dean Fisher of Montour and Jon Jacobsen of Council Bluffs voted no. Three Democrats, Rep. Liz Bennett of Linn County, Wes Breckenridge of Jasper County and Rick Olson of Polk County were shown as absent or not voting on the measure.

The proposed constitutional amendment must pass through a Senate committee, then be approved by the Senate this year and pass in both chambers in the 2021 legislative session to face the voters in 2022.

During debate, Republcans like House Majority Leader Chris Hagenow (R-Dallas) praised Governor Kim Reynolds for her leadership in making the issue one of her legislative priorities this year.

Democrats, like Bruce Hunter of Des Moines said they hoped in the interim that Governor Reynolds would issue an executive order automatically restoring felon rights until the amendment passes.


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