Voting Rights After a Felony in Iowa

How Iowa law treats voting with a felony conviction, from the state code and official state agencies.

Short answer: Under Iowa law a person convicted of a felony is disqualified from registering and voting unless the governor (or the President for a federal felony) restores the person's rights. Iowa Code § 48A.6(1); Governor's Executive Order 7 (2020)

Voting with a felony conviction	Under Iowa law a person convicted of a felony is disqualified from registering and voting unless the governor (or the President for a federal felony) restores the person's rights. Under Governor's Executive Order 7 (August 5, 2020), voting rights are restored automatically, with no further action, once a person completes all confinement, parole, probation or other supervised release (including any special sentence) for all felony convictions. People convicted of a felony under Iowa's homicide chapter (chapter 707) are excluded and must apply to the governor after finishing probation or parole, and must have paid court costs, restitution and fines or be current on a payment plan. Misdemeanors and deferred judgments do not affect voting rights. Statute: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/48A.6.pdf . Executive Order details from the Governor's Voting Rights Restoration page. Source: Iowa Code § 48A.6(1); Governor's Executive Order 7 (2020)

Voting with a felony conviction

Under Iowa law a person convicted of a felony is disqualified from registering and voting unless the governor (or the President for a federal felony) restores the person's rights. Under Governor's Executive Order 7 (August 5, 2020), voting rights are restored automatically, with no further action, once a person completes all confinement, parole, probation or other supervised release (including any special sentence) for all felony convictions. People convicted of a felony under Iowa's homicide chapter (chapter 707) are excluded and must apply to the governor after finishing probation or parole, and must have paid court costs, restitution and fines or be current on a payment plan. Misdemeanors and deferred judgments do not affect voting rights.

Statute: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/48A.6.pdf . Executive Order details from the Governor's Voting Rights Restoration page.

Source: Iowa Code § 48A.6(1); Governor's Executive Order 7 (2020)

More Iowa criminal law

FAQ

Can felons vote in Iowa?

General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.