Votes Decide Whether to Update Iowa Constitution

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By Becky Ogann

Story Created: Oct 8, 2008 at 1:31 PM CST

Story Updated: Oct 8, 2008 at 1:31 PM CST

DES MOINES (AP) - Voters will be asked next month to change Iowa's constitution to remove the term "idiot" in defining who is eligible to vote.

Rep. Pam Jochum of Dubuque has worked for 10 years to clean up the outdated description for people who aren't mentally competent to vote. She said such wording was acceptable when the constitution was ratified in 1857, but times have changed.

If approved Nov. 4, the updated language would refer to "a person adjudged mentally incompetent to vote."

Changing the constitution is a long process.

Both the House and Senate must approve a resolution calling for the change during a two-year General Assembly, and then approve the same resolution in the next General Assembly following an election.

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