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American Society for Public Administration - Vol. 28 No. 7 - July 2005 |
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Iowa Joins Ranks of States to Restore Voting Rights to Felons Executive Order Ends State Policy of Permanent Felon Disenfranchisement
New York, NY--Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack, joined by a bipartisan group of legislators, recently issued an executive order that restores voter eligibility to thousands of disenfranchised Iowans. Previously, Iowa was among only a handful of states that permanently denies the right to vote to people with felony convictions. Felon disenfranchisement has been criticized across the country for unfairly excluding citizens from the electoral process and for its discriminatory impact on minority communities, who are disproportionately represented in the U.S. prison population. More than 80,000 Iowa residents are estimated to have lost the vote as a result of the policy.
"The right to vote is the foundation of our government and serves as a symbol of opportunity for our citizens," Governor Vilsack said. "Research shows that ex-offenders who vote are less-likely to re-offend and the restoration of voting rights is an important aspect of reintegrating offenders in society so that they become law-abiding and productive citizens."
"Governor Vilsack has broken new ground in recognizing that voting is a civil right for everyone," said Monifa Bandele, national field director for Right to Vote, a campaign to end felon disenfranchisement. "This move will be particularly meaningful for African Americans who make up only 2 percent of Iowa's population but are nearly 25 percent of the state's disenfranchised citizens. This was the highest rate of disparity in the nation."
The executive order uses his power of clemency, which allows him to restore voting rights to individuals who have committed crimes. Although clemency was formerly granted on a case-by-case basis, the executive order creates a blanket restoration of voting rights as of July 4, 2005, that will include everyone who has completed incarceration and parole or probation. Nearly 50,000 people should have their eligibility restored under the order. The Department of Corrections will pass on information for the 29,000 individuals who are still under state supervision, once they have been discharged, in order to add them to the pool.
Under the new system, the number of formerly disenfranchised people who will regain the right to vote will jump from approximately 500 people per year to 500 per month.
"The Governor's decisive action recognizes the right to vote as a central component of civic life, and moves Iowa out of the pantheon of states that cling to this antiquated law," said Ludovic Blain III, associate director of the Democracy Program at Demos, a pro-democracy organization and Right to Vote Campaign coalition member. "Now there are four--Alabama, Florida, Kentucky and Virginia. They should immediately follow Iowa's lead."
"I am very glad that Iowa is leading the way in protecting the voting rights of its citizens," said Spencer Overton, a law professor from George Washington University who specializes in voting rights. "I hope advocates, residents and other public officials make sure that everyone is educated about this policy and people know how to register as soon as they become eligible."
Because Iowa's secretary of state does not have records for people who lost the vote as a result of felony convictions before 1992, and existing state records are often incomplete and inaccurate, the Right to Vote campaign emphasizes the need for widespread public education. Potential voters should know about eligibility and the fact that voter registration is not automatic. The Right to Vote Campaign will assist local advocates with this crucial next step.
Visit www.righttovote.org for more information.
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