Bills › 88th General Assembly
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Iowa relating to the qualifications of electors
Topics:Courts & civil law
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedMarch 11, 2019
- Done: Approved in committeeMarch 28, 2019
- Done: Passes the HouseMarch 28, 2019
- Stopped: Passes the SenateDid not pass
- Next: Passes again next General AssemblyThe same wording, after an election
- Next: Voters decideOn the next general election ballot
Did not pass It didn’t pass both chambers before the General Assembly ended. What’s a funnel?
What’s in it
This joint resolution proposes an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Iowa relating to the qualifications of electors. The amendment provides that a person who is convicted of a felony is not entitled to the privileges of an elector until that person discharges his or her sentence. Under current law, a person convicted of any infamous crime is not entitled to the privileges of an elector unless that person’s rights are restored by the governor. The resolution, if adopted, would be published and then referred to the next general assembly (89th) for adoption, before being submitted to the electorate for ratification.
Senate subcommittee
Named March 10, 2020. It hasn’t reported yet.
Three legislators hear a bill first and recommend what the committee should do; it’s the best time to weigh in. How to take part
Fiscal note
Cost: up to $178,200 Compare with other bills
AI summary This bill would change the constitution to automatically restore voting rights to people with felony convictions who have completed their sentences. The Iowa Secretary of State’s Office would face an estimated cost of $14,400 in fiscal year 2021 to publish the amendment, and an estimated cost of $178,200 in fiscal year 2023 if it is passed a second time.2
Read the fiscal note
Description
House Joint Resolution 14 amends Section 5 of Article II of the Constitution of the State of Iowa in order to automatically restore the right to vote to felons who have discharged their sentences. The section presently reads: “A person adjudged mentally incompetent to vote or a person convicted of any infamous crime shall not be entitled to the privilege of an elector.” House Joint Resolution 14 strikes the words “infamous crime” and inserts the phrase “felony who has not discharged his or her sentence.”
Background
Under current practice, a person’s voter registration is canceled upon the person being convicted of a felony in the State of Iowa. Voting rights can be restored by making an application to the Governor’s Office and having the application approved by the Governor.
Assumptions
- The average cost to publish an amendment in a single newspaper is $600.
- Publication of the initial amendment would occur monthly in eight newspapers (two in each congressional district) for a three-month period.
- Subsequent publication of the amendment would occur monthly in 99 newspapers (one in each county) for a three-month period.
Fiscal Impact
The estimated cost to publish a proposed Constitutional amendment passed by the General Assembly during the 2019 Legislative Session would be $14,400 (8 newspapers x 3 months x $600). The costs would be incurred in fall 2020 (FY 2021). Assuming the proposed amendment is passed a second time during the 2021 Legislative Session, the estimated cost would be $178,200 (99 newspapers x 3 months x $600). The costs would be incurred in fall 2022 (FY 2023). These publication costs would be incurred by the Iowa Secretary of State’s Office.
Source
- Office of the Secretary of State
- Qualifications of Electors, Constitutional Amendment · March 19, 2019 · $178,200
Lobbying
26 for · 0 against · 6 undecided · Who →
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88th General Assembly
Picked up later
Earlier and later bills are matched by wording or an identical title.
Similar bills
- HJR 11 Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Iowa relating to the qualificat…89th General Assembly · Passed HouseNearly identical
Matched by wording or an identical title.