Governor Kim Reynolds’ proposal to restore voting rights to felons after they’ve served their sentences has passed its first legislative hurdle with unusual bipartisan support and rare endorsement from a broad spectrum of victim rights, civil rights and religious groups.  The two Republicans and one Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee voted Thursday (1/31) to advance the governor’s bill to a full committee.  During last Saturday’s Eggs and Issues event in Oskaloosa, State Senator Ken Rozenboom told the No Coast Network why he supports the Governor’s plan.

“That’s a really simple answer.  I profess to be a Christian.  Christianity is all about redemption; it’s all about forgiveness.  So if a person has paid the price, paid the penalty that they’re required to pay, I think we restore their voting rights.”

The bill calls for a constitutional amendment and must pass the House and Senate in consecutive, separately elected legislative sessions before going for a public vote.