On March 12, 2019, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds announced a simplified process for felons to apply to have their voting rights restored. Linn County Election Services mailed a letter today to approximately 3,000 Linn County residents who have completed their probation or parole, informing them of this opportunity to regain their right to vote.
The letter includes a copy of the Application for Restoration of Voting Rights and an envelope addressed to the Office of the Governor. Those who submit the application and receive a certificate of restoration from the Governor may then register to vote.
Individuals who discharged their sentences on or before July 4, 2005 had their voting rights automatically restored by Executive Order 42 and do not need to use this application process.
This new application process is not the same as the constitutional amendment that Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds pushed for this legislative session. That constitutional amendment aimed for an automatic process to restore felons’ voting rights. That measure failed in the Iowa Senate.
For more information about applying for restoration of voting rights, contact the Governor’s office at 515-281-5211 or visit governor.iowa.gov/services/voting-rights-restoration.
For information on how to register to vote once eligible, contact Linn County Election Services at 319-892-5300, option 1 or visit the Linn County voter registration webpage.