Nebraska Court Restores Voting Rights for Ex-Felons

The Nebraska Supreme Court has ruled that individuals with felony convictions who have completed their sentences are eligible to vote, overturning actions by the state's Secretary of State, Bob Evnen, who had ordered a halt to their voter registration. This decision followed a legal challenge to LB20, a bipartisan law that removed a two-year waiting period for restoring voting rights, which Attorney General Mike Hilgers contested as unconstitutional. Despite objections from top Republican officials and a claim of authority by the Nebraska Board of Pardons, the court mandated immediate implementation, emphasizing the law's constitutionality. The ruling impacts approximately 7,000 potential voters and could significantly influence upcoming elections, especially in Nebraska's Omaha-centered 2nd Congressional District. This marks a victory for voting rights advocates, including the ACLU, and highlights the urgency of voter registration ahead of upcoming deadlines.