Most Iowans with a felony conviction can vote again once they finish their sentence. Under Executive Order 7, signed by Governor Kim Reynolds on August 5, 2020, voting rights are automatically restored to people convicted of felonies in Iowa state court after they complete incarceration, parole, probation, and any special sentence. The main exception: convictions under Iowa Code Chapter 707, which covers homicide-related offenses. Those still require a personal application to the governor.1Office of the Governor of Iowa. Gov. Reynolds Signs Executive Order to Restore Voting Rights of Felons Who Have Completed Their Sentence
When Your Rights Come Back Automatically
Executive Order 7 restores voting rights the day a person is fully discharged from the supervision of the Iowa Department of Corrections or a local probation office. No application, no hearing, no petition to the governor. The governor’s office has said it will keep restoring rights on a daily basis for people who complete their sentences going forward.1Office of the Governor of Iowa. Gov. Reynolds Signs Executive Order to Restore Voting Rights of Felons Who Have Completed Their Sentence
“Discharge” is the word that matters. It means every piece of the sentence is done: prison time, parole, probation, and any special sentence the court imposed. If any component is still active, you are not yet eligible under the automatic process.
One detail worth knowing: Executive Order 7 does not require you to have paid off restitution, fines, or court costs before your rights return automatically. Those debts may still be owed after supervision ends, but they do not block voter eligibility for people who qualify for the automatic track.2Governor of Iowa. Voting Rights Restoration The financial requirement is different for people who have to apply individually, which is covered below.
The Special Sentence Trap
Iowa imposes a “special sentence” for certain serious sex offenses. It runs on top of any prison term and can last 10 years, or in some cases a lifetime. Because Executive Order 7 requires completion of every part of a sentence, a person serving a lifetime special sentence will never reach automatic restoration. People finish prison and parole and assume they are done, when in fact the special sentence is still running.1Office of the Governor of Iowa. Gov. Reynolds Signs Executive Order to Restore Voting Rights of Felons Who Have Completed Their Sentence
If you aren’t certain whether a special sentence applies to you, contact the Iowa Department of Corrections or your former probation officer and ask specifically about every component of your sentence, including any special sentence.
Homicide Convictions Are Excluded
Any felony conviction under Iowa Code Chapter 707 is excluded from automatic restoration no matter how long ago the sentence ended. Chapter 707 covers:3Iowa Legislature. Iowa Code Chapter 707
- Murder in the first and second degree
- Voluntary and involuntary manslaughter
- Vehicular homicide, including causing death or serious injury by vehicle
- Feticide, including nonconsensual termination of pregnancy
- Attempted murder
Voting rights for people with these convictions remain revoked for life unless the governor individually grants restoration. The Iowa Secretary of State’s office confirms that affected individuals must apply directly to the governor.4Iowa Secretary of State. Restoring Voter Rights – Section: Executive Order Number Seven
How to Apply
The governor’s office provides an “Application for Restoration of Voting Rights” form on its website. Unlike automatic restoration, applicants with a Chapter 707 conviction must have paid their court costs, restitution, and fines in full, or be current on a payment plan.2Governor of Iowa. Voting Rights Restoration
The application asks for criminal case numbers and conviction dates. If you don’t have those, you can look them up through Iowa Courts Online at iowacourts.gov or by visiting the clerk of court in the county of conviction. The governor’s office then conducts an internal review that may include verification with law enforcement or judicial agencies, and the governor has full discretion to grant or deny. There is no guaranteed timeline; the pardons process on the same website notes that similar applications can take up to about two years.5Governor of Iowa. Pardons and Commutations If the governor grants the application, formal notification is mailed to the applicant and serves as proof of restoration for voter registration.
Federal and Out-of-State Convictions
Executive Order 7 appears to be limited to felony convictions in Iowa state court. Its text references convictions “in Iowa court,” which means federal felony convictions and out-of-state felony convictions likely fall outside its automatic restoration. Iowa’s voter registration law separately disqualifies anyone convicted of a felony under federal law and says such a person may register only if their rights are restored “by the governor, or by the president of the United States.”6Iowa Legislature. Iowa Code 48A.6
For a federal conviction, a presidential pardon is the clearest path. You could also apply directly to Iowa’s governor for individual restoration, but the executive order’s language does not guarantee you are covered. If you are in this situation, contact the governor’s office or the Secretary of State before registering.
Registering to Vote After Restoration
Getting your rights back and getting on the voter rolls are two separate steps. However your rights were restored, you still need to submit a new voter registration. Iowa offers three ways:
- Online through the Iowa Department of Transportation’s voter registration portal at mymvd.iowadot.gov
- In person at your county auditor’s office or when renewing a driver’s license
- By mail using a paper application sent to your local county auditor
The state also runs restoreyourvote.iowa.gov, where you can get information and contact the Secretary of State’s office with questions.7Restore Your Vote. Restore Your Vote Once the county auditor processes your registration, a voter registration card confirming your polling place arrives in the mail.4Iowa Secretary of State. Restoring Voter Rights – Section: Executive Order Number Seven
Don’t Register Before You’re Eligible
Registering or voting before your rights are actually restored is a serious crime. Under Iowa Code 39A.2, voting or attempting to vote while knowing yourself to be unqualified is election misconduct in the first degree, a Class D felony.8Iowa Legislature. Iowa Code Chapter 39A A person trying to move on from one felony conviction can end up charged with another one for voting too soon.
Confirm your sentence is fully discharged before you register. Don’t guess. Contact the Iowa Department of Corrections, your former probation officer, or the governor’s office if there is any doubt. A few days of verification is worth avoiding a new criminal charge.
What Restoration Doesn’t Cover
Executive Order 7 restores the vote. It does not restore other civil rights lost to a felony conviction. The governor’s office is explicit that firearm rights are not included; anyone wanting those back, or a full pardon, has to submit a separate application to the Iowa Board of Parole.2Governor of Iowa. Voting Rights Restoration
Federal restrictions also apply independently of anything Iowa does. Federal law bars anyone convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year of imprisonment from possessing firearms, and state-level restoration generally does not lift that federal ban.9Office of the Law Revision Counsel. United States Code Title 18 – Section 922 Federal jury service is similarly restricted: a person convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year is disqualified unless their civil rights have been restored.10Office of the Law Revision Counsel. United States Code Title 28 – Section 1865 Whether Iowa’s executive order counts as a sufficient restoration for federal jury purposes is not settled, and anyone called for federal jury duty should raise the issue with the court.