Des Moines Register
Iowa voters are likely to see constitutional amendments involving hot-button issues on their ballots in 2022 and 2024 and Republicans say the measures create an opportunity to drive up engagement and turnout during two high-stakes elections.
The Republican-controlled Legislature has advanced measures this year that would enshrine in the state Constitution protections for firearms owners and limit them for people seeking abortions.
The firearms measure is set to appear on the ballot in 2022, sharing space with high-profile elections for governor, all four congressional districts and Chuck Grassley’s seat in the U.S. Senate. Gun rights are a key issue for the Republican Party’s core base of voters, and the ballot measure will appear before voters at a time when Democrats control the White House and Congress, potentially stoking Republican fears about new limits on access to guns.
Cam Edwards at our sister publication
“It hasn’t happened yet, but my guess is that the Biden administration will turn its attention to gun control in earnest in the very near future; likely after a COVID-19 relief bill has been worked out. In the meantime, I wouldn’t be surprised if we saw the first few anti-gun executive actions this week as the administration seeks to reassure anti-gun activists that they’re still a valued part of Biden’s coalition.”
There s a new administration being sworn in today that has a gun control agenda. I will continue supporting 2nd Amendment rights groups that fight anti-gun legislation. 2A4E Diversity Shoots will still educate, motivate and promote freedom for all. Join the us in the fight. pic.twitter.com/hjfeFQC8n2
DES MOINES Opponents of an amendment that would write the right to keep and bear arms into the Iowa Constitution said the language goes too far in protecting Iowans’ gun rights, but proponents pushed ahead with the proposal Thursday, saying the matter should be decided by voters.
“I believe some of our rights have been taken away from us for years. This restores that,” said Sen. Brad Zaun, R-Urbandale, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee and member of a subcommittee that voted 2-1 to approve Senate Joint Resolution 1. “Ultimately, Iowans get to decide this.”
Republicans who control the Legislature are working to pass a resolution in the exact form previously approved by the 88th Iowa General Assembly that meets the criteria spelled out to bring a constitutional amendment before voters in the 2022 general election.
Constitution Day isn t until Sep. 17. However, Tuesday was constitutional amendment day at the Iowa Capitol as proposals to let Iowans vote to create a state-level Second Amendment and reject a Supreme Court finding of a right to an abortion advanced.