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Vote yes on the ‘Idiot Amendment’ On Election Day, Iowa voters will have more to consider than just the usual public offices. Also on the ballot is what some Iowans are referring to as the “Idiot Amendment.” The proposed amendment to the Iowa Constitution regarding voting limitations for mentally incompetent Iowans finally makes it onto the ballot 11 years after Rep. Pam Jochum, D-Dubuque, and former Rep. Betty Grundberg wrote the proposal. The proposed amendment affects Article II §5 (“Disqualified Persons”), which currently reads: “No idiot, or insane person, or person convicted of any infamous crime, shall be entitled to the privilege of an elector.” Iowans are asked to vote on whether to strike “idiot” and “insane person” from §5; in place of the outdated and offensive terminology, “mentally incompetent” will be inserted into the Constitution. We submit that every Iowan should vote “Yes” to this amendment. Jochum’s and Grundberg’s quest to amend the state Constitution is more than just another example of political correctness and over-sensitivity gone too far. Yes, part of the quest to change Article II is to make the terminology more socially acceptable. Look up “idiot” in Merriam-Webster and you will find two definitions. The first, a reference to persons with extreme mental retardation, is preceded by the phrase “usually offensive.” There is no reason for our state’s Constitution to use offensive language. No one would allow the provocative and outdated words “negro” and “redskin,” or the concept of women as chattel, to remain in the state Constitution just because it was an acceptable term or belief in 1857, and, likewise, there is no reason we should allow “idiot” to continue describe our fellow Iowans. The second definition fits into the more common use of the word today, a foolish person. Iowans who have been adjudged to be mentally incompetent are not inherently foolish people; they are people just like you and me who, for whatever reason, have been afflicted with a mental disease or biological mental handicap that limits their ability to function without the assistance of others. There are many people in Iowa — hundreds of them in downtown Iowa City on a game day or weekend — who are extremely foolish and consistently act in a manner that can only be describe as stupid, but still retain their right to vote. The language of Article II §5 is not only outdated and offensive, it’s overly broad given the modern usage of the term “idiot.” Iowa Code 1999 §633.556 enumerates the process by which a judge shall determine whether a person is competent to vote during the process of appointing a legal guardian based on mental incapacity. Section 633.556 does not refer to “idiots” or “insane” persons when discussing Iowans who are in need of legal guardians because of mental illness or mental handicap. Part of the purpose of amendments is to not only reflect a shift in the point of view of society but to make the legal code of a society more succinct and cohesive. If a judge is being asked to consider whether a person “lacks sufficient mental capacity to comprehend and exercise the right to vote,” then the means by which that person is evaluated in the Iowa Constitution should mimic the same standard: “mental competence.” There is no legitimate reason to vote against this amendment. Even if you don’t want to vote in the general election, you should go to the polls just to vote for this amendment. Why? Because there are Iowans in this state who need you to vote for them. Unlike other campaigns that can use their supporters to rally the masses and vote on the proposal, this amendment falls on those of us that have the right and the capability to vote to stand up for others. Vote Yes. |