Vilsack to restore felons' voting rights

[ISUGRADIA]

Finally! Iowa will no longer be bunched in with states from the deep South that adopted disenfranchisement as a Jim Crow measure.

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050617/NEWS09/50617010/1001/RSS01

Gov. Tom Vilsack said Friday that he soon will sign an executive order restoring voting rights to convicted felons who have served their sentence.

‘‘This action we take is not going to be a pardon,’’ Vilsack said.

The governor said only five other states prohibit felons from voting after completing their sentences.

‘‘We’re here today to talk about justice,’’ Vilsack aid. ‘‘When you’ve paid your debt to society, you need to be reconnected to society.