Aide: Iowa Governor Will Keep Felon Voting Policy

Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad speaks during an interview with The Associated Press, Wednesday, May 11, 2011, in Des Moines, Iowa. Branstad says Iowa has the best chance in decades to fix what he sees as a deeply flawed property tax system. He also said he is working behind the scenes to help resolve differences between the House and Senate on the issue. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

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By Aaron Hepker

Story Created: Jul 3, 2012 at 10:42 AM CDT

Story Updated: Jul 3, 2012 at 5:51 PM CDT

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Despite mounting criticism, a spokesman says Gov. Terry Branstad won't change the application process that former Iowa felons have to navigate to get their voting rights back.

Newspaper editorials, the American Civil Liberties Union and the Democratic Party have denounced Branstad's policy requiring ex-offenders to submit a credit report, pay all fines and restitution, obtain a $15 background check and answer 31 questions before he'll restore their citizenship rights.

A Des Moines Register editorial Sunday called the policy an embarrassment to Iowa. The criticism comes after The Associated Press reported Branstad has restored the rights of 11 offenders since implementing the policy, which is among the harshest in the nation.

Branstad spokesman Tim Albrecht says the policy helps crime victims by denying felons their voting rights until they pay restitution.

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