The Iowa State House has passed a constitutional amendment to restore voting rights to convicted felons. House File 213 would restore the right to vote and to hold office for those who have completed their sentence and have been discharged from probation, parole, and work release on felony offenses.

Representative Joe Mitchell believes this is a positive step forward, “I thought it was one of the best bills we’ve passed this year. After they have paid all their debts back and served their time, then they would get their voting rights back, which I think is very important. I think that America is a place of second chances, and I know that people deserve a second chance to get their rights back to vote. I know a lot of ex-felons that I’ve talked to and it’s very important to them, and it gives them a lot more dignity. They’ve served their time, they know what they’ve done wrong and they would like to get that civil liberty back, so I think it was a great bill that we passed.”

Mitchell added that this would not extend to those convicted of sexual assult, murder, and sex offenders. The bill will now be eligible for Senate consideration.