April 4, 2019
Statement by Senate Democratic Leader Janet Petersen
on failure of Senate Republicans to support bipartisan effort to restore voting rights
“Like most Iowans, we cheered when the Iowa House – on a 95-2 vote – approved a key priority of Governor Reynolds: restoring voting rights of felons.
“It is shameful that Senator Brad Zaun and other Republican members of the Senate Judiciary Committee killed this priority legislation for the 2019 session.
“We agreed with the Governor when she said the bipartisan vote in the Iowa House was ‘a victory for Iowans who deserve a second chance.’
“Senate Democrats will work next year with the Governor and any willing members of the Senate Republican caucus to move House Joint Resolution 14 forward and to ensure that Iowans are allowed a vote on this important issue.
“In the meantime, we urge the Governor to use her authority to issue an executive as soon as possible to restore felon voting rights.”
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