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Iowa High Court to Consider State's Ban on Voting by Felons
Source: Associated Press
Iowa High Court to Consider State's Ban on Voting by Felons
By RYAN J. FOLEY, ASSOCIATED PRESS
IOWA CITY, Iowa — Feb 9, 2016, 2:28 PM ET
In a major voting rights case, the Iowa Supreme Court will consider whether to relax the state's lifetime ban on voting by convicted felons.
The court said last week it would hear the case, which could clear up longstanding confusion over which of the state's tens of thousands of former offenders are eligible to vote. American Civil Liberties Union, the NAACP and other civil rights groups want the court to restore many of their voting rights before the November presidential election, in which Iowa could be a pivotal state. The decision could come this summer.
Iowa is one of three states — with Kentucky and Florida — with lifetime voting bans for felons unless their rights are restored by the governor.
Supporters say Iowa's policy is required by law and correctly restores voting rights only after ex-offenders prove to the governor they have paid victim restitution and are rehabilitated. Critics say the policy disproportionately impacts the state's black population and makes it harder for ex-offenders to reintegrate into society.
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By RYAN J. FOLEY, ASSOCIATED PRESS
IOWA CITY, Iowa — Feb 9, 2016, 2:28 PM ET
In a major voting rights case, the Iowa Supreme Court will consider whether to relax the state's lifetime ban on voting by convicted felons.
The court said last week it would hear the case, which could clear up longstanding confusion over which of the state's tens of thousands of former offenders are eligible to vote. American Civil Liberties Union, the NAACP and other civil rights groups want the court to restore many of their voting rights before the November presidential election, in which Iowa could be a pivotal state. The decision could come this summer.
Iowa is one of three states — with Kentucky and Florida — with lifetime voting bans for felons unless their rights are restored by the governor.
Supporters say Iowa's policy is required by law and correctly restores voting rights only after ex-offenders prove to the governor they have paid victim restitution and are rehabilitated. Critics say the policy disproportionately impacts the state's black population and makes it harder for ex-offenders to reintegrate into society.
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Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/iowa-high-court-states-ban-voting-felons-36815271