CLC and Voters Not Politicians Protect Michigan's IRC

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GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – In a decision yesterday, U.S. District Court Judge Janet Neff denied motions filed by the Michigan Republican Party and special interests seeking to block Michigan’s voter-initiated Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission. Campaign Legal Center (CLC) is representing Voters Not Politicians in the case. 

“We are proud to be protecting Michigan’s voter-approved Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission alongside Voters Not Politicians,” said Paul Smith, vice president at CLC. “The court was right to reject the attempt by the plaintiffs to use the courts to thwart the will of the people.”

“Michigan voters amended our state Constitution to establish an Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission and bring fair maps to Michigan,” said Nancy Wang, executive director of Voters Not Politicians. “The application process to serve on the Commission opened on October 24, and thousands of Michiganders have already applied.”

Issues
Redistricting

Felony Voting Rights Restoration in Iowa

At a Glance

Campaign Legal Center’s Restore Your Vote campaign is working in Iowa to help people with felony convictions restore their voting rights, train community leaders on the rights restoration process, and break down the false notion that a felony conviction means you can never vote again.

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Active
Updated
Issues
Voting and Elections
About This Case/Action

In Iowa, the law regarding which people with past criminal convictions can and cannot vote has been confusing. Whether a person can vote depends on the date they completed their sentence, whether their felony conviction was in Iowa state court, Federal court, or another state’s court, and whether they have paid their fines, fees, and restitution. Some people have had their voting rights restored already and may not know it. Others will have to file an application with the governor to restore their right to vote – a process that many do not know about and the requirements for which have varied over the years. As a result, many Iowans with past convictions who are eligible to vote or restore their vote simply do not know that they can participate.

Based on the most recent estimates Iowa’s law disenfranchises over 52,000 people in the state: 2.17% of the entire statewide voting-age population but nearly 10% of the adult black voting-age population. The good news is that every Iowan who has completed serving their sentence has a path to voting rights restoration.

Campaign Legal Center’s Restore Your Vote campaign is currently working in Iowa to help people with felony convictions restore their voting rights, train community leaders on the rights restoration process, and break down the false notion that a felony conviction means you can never vote again. We have three organizers who are available to provide assistance and trainings around the state. To get in touch, please contact us at [email protected].

If you are an Iowa resident who wants to understand your voting rights, click here to access our tool.

Meet a voter who we helped in Iowa:

Associated Cases & Actions

Restore Your Vote: Felony Rights Restoration
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