Pot times July 17, 2005

Hearing On Vilsack Order Delayed

URL: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05/n1125/a09.html
Newshawk: Beth

Pubdate: Tue, 12 Jul 2005
Source: Quad-City Times (IA)
Copyright: 2005 Quad-City Times
Contact: opinions@qctimes.com
Website: 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.