Executive Order 7

INTHE NAME AND BY THE AUTHORITYOFTHE STATE OF IOWA EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER SEVEN WHEREAS, the Bill of Rights set forth in Article I of the Constitution of the State of Iowa recognizes that the political power of the State of Iowa is inherent in the people, and the government is instituted for the protection, security, and benefit of its people; and WHEREAS, the Constitution of the State of Iowa demonstrates the significance of the right to vote by devoting all of Article II to protecting the right of suffrage; and WHEREAS, a person convicted of any infamous crime forfeits the right to vote and hold office pursuant to Article II, section 5, of the Constitution of the State of Iowa; and WHEREAS, the Iowa Supreme Court has interpreted infamous crime to mean a felony criminal conviction; and WHEREAS, Article IV, section 16, of the Constitution of the State of Iowa grants the Governor of the State of Iowa the power to restore the rights of citizenship that were forfeited by such a conviction; and WHEREAS, restoring the right to vote of Iowans who have discharged their felony sentences will make our c01mnunities safer because those who are welcomed back as full members of society are less likely to recidivate; and WHEREAS, restoring the right to vote of Iowans who have discharged their felony sentences recognizes that path to redemption following a felony conviction necessarily includes reintegration into our political process; and WHEREAS, restoring the right to vote of Iowans who have discharged their felony sentence will reduce unnecessary burdens on Iowans who wish to obtain their rights back and conserve limited taxpayer resources cmrently used to review applications for restoration of voting rights; and WHEREAS, two years ago in my Condition of the State address, 1 proposed an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Iowa to ensure that Iowans who have completed their felony sentences have their right to vote restored without relying on the discretion of the Governor of the State of Iowa; and WHEREAS, a constitutional amendment continues to be the only permanent solution to this issue, but the process for proposing and ratifying such an amendment will likely take several additional years during which time Iowans would be deprived of these advantages; and WHEREAS, the people of Iowa will benefit now from the restoration of the right to vote for Iowans who have completed their sentences and a clear and consistent process that continues to restore the right to vote immediately to Iowans who discharge their sentences. Page I of3 I. sentence. of sentence. Secretary of State records disqualified persons to reflect the Department also convicted of a felony, except for a court who discharge parole or probation to the citizenship rights are restored vote in this state, to register to county auditor or completing these Iowans to begin elections. for prohibits an Iowan from submitting an the Office of the Governor. Page 2 of3 IX. Interpretation and severability. This Executive Order shall be interpreted in · accordance with all applicable laws and regulations and shall not supersede any laws or regulations in place as of its effective date. The provisions of paragraphs III through X of this Executive Order do not create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity, by any party against the State of Iowa, its departments, agencies, or political subdivisions, or its officers, employees, agents, or any other persons. If any provision of this Executive Order is found to be invalid, unenforceable, or otherwise contrary to applicable law, then the remaining provisions of this Executive Order, as applied to any person or circumstance, in shall continue in full force and effect and shall not be affected by such finding of invalidity or unenforceability. X. Effective date and expiration. This Executive Order shall apply prospectively only as of its effective date and it shall expire upon the ratification of any future amendment to Article II, section 5, of the Constitution of the State of Iowa. The expiration of this Executive Order shall not affect the validity of any restoration of citizenship rights granted while this Executive Order is in effect. ATTEST: PAV~~SECRETARY OF STATE IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I HAVE HEREUNTO SUBSCRIBED MY NAME AND CAUSED THE GREAT SEAL OF IOWA TO BE AFFIXED TO THIS EXECUTIVE ORDER. DONE IN DES MOINES, IOWA THIS 5TH DAY OF AUGUST IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD TWO THOUSAND AND TWENTY. Page 3 of3