Felony Voter

Disenfranchisement
HF 79

By: Ella Snyder, Bria Lenten, Kaitlyn Keehner, & Jessica Machovec
Overview

◦ Historical background
◦ Political background
◦ Economic Analysis
◦ Impact
◦ Social Action
History of
Disenfranchisement

◦ Former Policy

◦ Civil Rights Movement

◦ Reasons for Disenfranchisement

Political Analysis

◦ 2005 Tom Vilsack restored

◦ 2011 Terry Branstad rescinded
◦ 2018 Kim Reynolds
◦ January ‘18 HF 79
Lobbying Day

◦ Linda Upmeyer
▫ Governor will sign
▫ Constitutional under 13th amendment
■ Unconstitutional under 15th

◦ Liz Bennett
▫ Believe in integration into society
▫ Denied party issue
▫ Didn’t receive enough attention
Economics

◦ Cost of Imprisonment
32,925

◦ The Human Cost

Interview

Uncle (Social Worker)

● Felon disenfranchisement
● What drives this legislation?
● Demographics (race) and legislation
● Impact if policy is passed
● Opposition or support?
● Social work ethical practice
Impact on People

● Offenders/Prisoners
○ Losing right to vote
■ 1 in 40 adults cannot vote
○ Many individuals are eligible, but aren’t aware
○ Great impact on outcome of elections
○ Takes away feeling of citizenship

● Families
○ Not much information gathered on inmates’ familial or social
relationships
○ Most impactful data available involves children
○ Political and civic research collected
○ Similarity=social influence
Personal Story
Darryl Williams

● Virginia
● When he was 19, he was caught with a sawed-off shotgun
● He is 35
● Spent 2 years in prison
● 3 times he could not vote
● Voting rights denied because of error in paperwork
 Social Action
Florida, New Jersey, & Louisiana
Social Action
Voting While Incarcerated: Maine & Vermont

● Prison staff inform inmates of their right to vote 90 days

before all elections
● The prison(s) posts inmate voter guides in the library that
include details on how to register, request an absentee ballot
and return it on time
● Inmates must register to vote wherever they most recently
lived, which ensures that a prison doesn't become a political
force, and cast absentee ballots.
Conclusion

● 52,000 Iowans can’t vote due to a felony

● 6.1 million Americans can’t vote due to a felony
● 1 of 4 countries that take away the right
● Racial disparity (Iowa)
○ African American 11 to 1
○ Latino 7 to 1