Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, a conservative Republican, issued an executive order in 2020 restoring the voting of felons who had completed their sentences. Her statement is worth quoting at length because it illustrates her conviction that voting is a right in America — not a privilege.
“The right to vote is the cornerstone of society and the free republic in which we live. When someone serves their sentence, they should have their right to vote restored automatically.
“We’re going to continue to advocate for a constitutional amendment and make this major milestone permanent. Getting things done involves coming to the table, and I thank the broad and diverse coalition who has been working on this with me for years.”
The Des Moines Register reported several months after the governor’s action that more than 45,000 Iowans with past felony convictions have had their voting rights restored since 2016.
About 500 miles southeast of Des Moines, in Nashville, the Tennessee Lookout initially reported that Republican Gov. Bill Lee had “showed backing … for easing the process enabling convicted felons” to have their voting rights restored after completing their prison sentences.