Pubdate: Tue, 12 Jul 2005
Source: Quad-City Times (IA)
Copyright: 2005 Quad-City Times
Contact:  http://www.qctimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/857
Author: Stephen Byrd

HEARING ON VILSACK ORDER DELAYED

MUSCATINE, Iowa - A hearing scheduled here Monday afternoon to seek a 
temporary order that would bar Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack from granting 
voting rights to felons who have served their sentences was postponed 
until Thursday.

The delay was requested by attorneys representing the governor, and 
the Muscatine County Attorney's office, which is listed as the 
plaintiff in court documents, did not object.

David Schoenthaler, the chief judge of the 7th Judicial District, 
granted the defense request and ordered that a hearing be held 
Thursday morning.

Muscatine County Attorney Gary Allison filed a petition June 30 
challenging the executive order Vilsack ultimately signed on the 
Fourth of July to restore the right to vote to convicted felons who 
have served their time in prison.

Vilsack's order would automatically restore felons' voting rights 
upon the completion of their prison sentences and terms of probation. 
Under current state rules, felons can apply for their voting rights, 
but they must undergo review by the state parole board and the 
governor in a process that takes several months.

The Muscatine County Attorney's office asked the district court to 
direct the governor to comply with his statutory obligations before 
granting clemency. A second filing asked the court for a temporary 
order barring Vilsack from granting blanket executive clemency while 
the original action is being ruled on.
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MAP posted-by: Beth