Governor Kim Reynolds’ proposal to restore voting rights to felons after they’ve served their sentences has passed its first legislative hurdle with unusual bipartisan support and rare endorsement from a broad spectrum of victim rights, civil rights and religious groups. The two Republicans and one Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee voted Thursday (1/31) to advance the governor’s bill to a full committee. During last Saturday’s Eggs and Issues event in Oskaloosa, State Senator Ken Rozenboom told the No Coast Network why he supports the Governor’s plan.
“That’s a really simple answer. I profess to be a Christian. Christianity is all about redemption; it’s all about forgiveness. So if a person has paid the price, paid the penalty that they’re required to pay, I think we restore their voting rights.”
The bill calls for a constitutional amendment and must pass the House and Senate in consecutive, separately elected legislative sessions before going for a public vote.