Dont ComplyBolts reports that Iowa's 2020 executive order, signed by Gov. Kim Reynolds, restored voting rights to people who complete felony sentences, but that state officials did little public education about it. The secretary of state's office told Bolts it does no targeted outreach, and both that office and the governor's office said they collect no data on how many people regained eligibility. Bolts describes Stanwood resident Raul Lara, who said his county elections office turned him away and a state database wrongly listed him as still serving a felony sentence; an attorney had to contact multiple offices before he could register. Iowa Judicial Branch spokesperson Katarina Sostaric told Bolts errors in processing convictions are rare and are promptly corrected, though she could not comment on Lara's case.
Why it matters
According to Bolts, advocates and attorneys say the lack of outreach and clear guidance leaves eligible Iowans unsure whether they can vote, and that some do not try to register. The state also does not track how many people regained eligibility, which makes the order's effect hard to measure.
These are unproven claims, and everyone named is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. Researched with AI assistance from the sources listed here and reviewed under our methodology.