Election Day is now two weeks away and hundreds of thousands of Iowa voters have been voting early over the last two weeks.This year, felons have the right to vote for the first time in Iowa, but even with the recent change, they say they’re frustrated with the process.KCCI spoke with people across Iowa. Some convicted felons have been able to vote without a hitch, but others are frustrated with the process.A Cedar Rapids woman said the state website still denied her because she has a felony conviction. Chawn Yilmaz said she was able to register to vote in person.”I think people are just totally unaware and they tried to do it online, they are completely discouraged. Don’t let that discourage you. Your right has been restored by the governor. You can vote,” Yilmaz said.Linn County Auditor Joel Miller said more coordination from the state could have prevented some of the confusion right now.He said the best way for convicted felons to figure out if they can register to vote is to go to an early-voting place in person, like Yilmaz did.”Some of them came in registered to vote and then unfortunately when the felon list was released by the secretary of state, within about the last 10 days we found out about 30 of those people had to be canceled from the registration because they had not fulfilled their obligation — that is, finished their probation — so yes, lots of questions,” Miller said.Miller suggests convicted felons figure out if they can register by going to an early-voting place in person.Some Iowans have used the felon voter restoration page on the secretary of state’s website successfully.You can also check out this website for more information.
DES MOINES, Iowa —
Election Day is now two weeks away and hundreds of thousands of Iowa voters have been voting early over the last two weeks.
This year, felons have the right to vote for the first time in Iowa, but even with the recent change, they say they’re frustrated with the process.
KCCI spoke with people across Iowa. Some convicted felons have been able to vote without a hitch, but others are frustrated with the process.
A Cedar Rapids woman said the state website still denied her because she has a felony conviction. Chawn Yilmaz said she was able to register to vote in person.
“I think people are just totally unaware and they tried to do it online, they are completely discouraged. Don’t let that discourage you. Your right has been restored by the governor. You can vote,” Yilmaz said.
Linn County Auditor Joel Miller said more coordination from the state could have prevented some of the confusion right now.
He said the best way for convicted felons to figure out if they can register to vote is to go to an early-voting place in person, like Yilmaz did.
“Some of them came in registered to vote and then unfortunately when the felon list was released by the secretary of state, within about the last 10 days we found out about 30 of those people had to be canceled from the registration because they had not fulfilled their obligation — that is, finished their probation — so yes, lots of questions,” Miller said.
Miller suggests convicted felons figure out if they can register by going to an early-voting place in person.
Some Iowans have used the felon voter restoration page on the secretary of state’s website successfully.
You can also check out this website for more information.
