Journey to Justice: Iowa removes voting rights from some ex-cons

"Hours after his inauguration last month, Iowa’s newly elected Republican Governor, Terry Branstad, signed an executive order that reversed a decision to give former felons a break on voting rights.
His Executive Order 70 rescinded a 2005 executive order by then-Gov. Tom Vilsack that had restored voting rights to about 50,000 former felons, the Des Moines Register reported.
Vilsack’s order had removed the requirement that individuals convicted of a felony or aggravated misdemeanor apply to the governor’s office to have their right to vote restored once they completed their sentences, probation and parole.
Aides to the new governor say he believes voting rights must be earned back by not only serving the time, but also paying any fines and restitution."

http://blogs.clarionledger.com/jmitchell/2011/02/16/iowa-removes-voting-rights-from-some-ex-cons/ 

The issue of whether to give voting rights to felons may be legislated on a state-by-state basis.