Lawsuit Challenges Iowa's Felon Voting Rules

Описание: IOWA CITY, IA (AP) -- The American Civil Liberties Union is challenging Iowa's tough policies that bar felons from voting.

A lawsuit filed Friday seeks to restore voting rights to thousands of former offenders before the 2016 presidential election. It also seeks to end confusion over the rules for ex-felons that followed a 2011 policy change by Gov. Terry Branstad.

Iowa is one of three states where felons cannot vote after completing their sentences until their rights are restored by the governor.

ACLU attorney Rita Bettis says the widespread denial of voting rights based on felony convictions "is the single biggest denial of civil rights in Iowa." She says it disenfranchises thousands of people and wants a court to limit the number of felony offenses that trigger the loss of voting rights.

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