NAACP Asks Iowa To Soften Felon Voting Policy - News, Weather and Sports for Sioux City, IA: KCAU-TV.com

NAACP Asks Iowa To Soften Felon Voting Policy

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By: Channel 9 Eyewitness News

news@kcautv.com

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) _ Leaders of the NAACP are lobbying Gov. Terry Branstad to soften a policy that has made it difficult for thousands of Iowans convicted of crimes to get their voting rights back.

The Des Moines Register (http://dmreg.co/TUeOeV ) reports that NAACP President Benjamin Jealous and other officials from the group met Monday with Branstad.

NAACP officials say they focused much of the meeting trying to convince Branstad to change a cumbersome application process that has resulted in less than 20 felons getting their voting rights back since January 2011.

Branstad's office has told applicants on the application form that they must pay all court costs and restitution before applying. But spokesman Tim Albrecht said Monday the office will allow anyone who is current on restitution payments to seek their rights back.

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