A Cedar Rapids man says he is looking forward to casting his ballot in November now that Governor Kim Reynolds has signed an executive order automatically restoring voting rights for some felons in the state.
Jordan Phillips tells KCRG-TV 9 he is putting his life back together since getting out of prison for a drug-related offense. Phillips now has a job and is happy he will get to vote again in three months.
“I thought it was great, it allows me to become involved and connected to do my key part in my citizenship and have a voice.”
Julie Redmond, with DES employment, helped Phillips get his job and said criminal histories carry a lot of baggage. She tells KCRG-TV 9 many of those now able to vote might push key issues to the spotlight.
“One of the biggest things for people that are getting their rights to vote back is the stance on prison reform or criminal justice reform. I think that is going to be in the back of their minds on what are both of these candidates going to do for that system,” she says.
Phillips says he’s happy to feel like someone in government will be listening to his viewpoint.
“You know, not having the opportunity to say anything whether it be national, state or local – it’s just a voice you don’t have, the whole society where you made some mistakes, to get that voice taken from them, it’s a bummer.”
(Photo: KCRG-TV 9)