HEARING ON VILSACK ORDER DELAYED

MUSCATINE, Iowa - A hearing scheduled here Monday afternoon to seek a
temporary order that would bar Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack from granting
voting rights to felons who have served their sentences was postponed
until Thursday.

The delay was requested by attorneys representing the governor, and
the Muscatine County Attorney's office, which is listed as the
plaintiff in court documents, did not object.

David Schoenthaler, the chief judge of the 7th Judicial District,
granted the defense request and ordered that a hearing be held
Thursday morning.

Muscatine County Attorney Gary Allison filed a petition June 30
challenging the executive order Vilsack ultimately signed on the
Fourth of July to restore the right to vote to convicted felons who
have served their time in prison.

Vilsack's order would automatically restore felons' voting rights
upon the completion of their prison sentences and terms of probation.
Under current state rules, felons can apply for their voting rights,
but they must undergo review by the state parole board and the
governor in a process that takes several months.

The Muscatine County Attorney's office asked the district court to
direct the governor to comply with his statutory obligations before
granting clemency. A second filing asked the court for a temporary
order barring Vilsack from granting blanket executive clemency while
the original action is being ruled on.