Iowa’s GOP governor open to restoring voting rights to felons

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) on Tuesday said she is open to the possibility of restoring voting rights to felons.

The move could impact at least 52,000 felons in Iowa who are currently not allowed to vote, according to the Des Moines Register.

“We’re looking at several criminal justice reforms … so we’re going to take a look at several components of that,” Reynolds told the local paper.

A legislative advisory board in Iowa recently recommended restoring felon’s voting rights in the state.

{mosads}Former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack (D) issued an executive order in 2005 restoring voting rights to felons who had completed their sentences.

That order was overturned in 2011 by former Republican Gov. Terry Branstad and Reynolds, who was then serving as the lieutenant governor.

Florida passed a law this month restoring voting rights to an estimated 1.5 million former felons.

Referring to Florida’s recently passed legislation, Reynolds said, “I think that’s why we’re going to take a look at it … we’re going to sit down, and I’m looking forward to making some recommendations next year, so stay tuned.”