DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - In a key voting rights case, the Iowa Supreme Court will decide whether a state senate candidate convicted of an aggravated misdemeanor is eligible to hold office.
The court granted a request Thursday to hear the case in which primary rival Ned Chiodo is seeking to disqualify Tony Bisignano based on his conviction for second-offense drunken driving.
At issue is whether that was an “infamous crime” that stripped Bisignano of his right to vote and hold public office. The court’s decision could affect thousands of current and future offenders convicted of aggravated misdemeanors.
A state panel ruled that Bisignano is eligible because lawmakers have defined “infamous crimes” as felonies. A judge agreed Wednesday.
But prior court rulings have defined them as crimes that could land offenders in a state prison.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.