Iowa Constitution Article II - RIGHT OF SUFFRAGE.
Iowa Constitution – Article II: Right of Suffrage
Article II of the Iowa Constitution defines the right to vote (suffrage) in the state. It outlines voter eligibility, the process of disqualification, and other aspects related to elections and voting rights.
Here is a summary of each section of Article II:
Section 1 – Electors
This section defines who is eligible to vote in Iowa:
"Every citizen of the United States of the age of eighteen years, who shall have been a resident of this state for such period of time as shall be provided by law, and of the county in which he or she claims the vote for such period of time as may be provided by law, shall be entitled to vote at all elections which are now or hereafter may be authorized by law."
Key points:
Must be a U.S. citizen.
Must be at least 18 years old.
Must meet residency requirements (as defined by Iowa law).
Entitled to vote in all authorized elections.
Section 5 – Disqualified Persons
This section identifies who may be disqualified from voting:
"A person adjudged mentally incompetent to vote or a person convicted of any infamous crime shall not be entitled to the privilege of an elector."
Key points:
Persons declared mentally incompetent (by a court) are disqualified from voting.
Persons convicted of an infamous crime are also disqualified unless their rights are restored.
Note: The interpretation of "infamous crime" has evolved and may be subject to legislation or court rulings.
Historical Notes:
Earlier versions of this article limited suffrage by race or gender, but those provisions have been repealed or amended.
The article has been amended to reflect changes such as:
Lowering the voting age from 21 to 18 (in line with the 26th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution).
Clarifying residency requirements and the definition of disqualifying crimes.
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