In a landmark decision, the Nebraska State Supreme Court has ruled that individuals with felony convictions will have their voting rights restored once they have completed their sentences. The court’s decision orders Nebraska’s Secretary of State to immediately enforce a new state law that grants these individuals the right to vote, after a period of legal challenge and resistance from state officials.
The Secretary of State had previously refused to implement the new law, arguing that it was unconstitutional. However, in its ruling, the Nebraska Supreme Court clarified that the requisite number of judges did not find the 2024 amendment to the felon voting law unconstitutional. As a result, the court ordered both the Secretary of State and local election commissioners to follow the law, ensuring that people who have served their sentences are no longer disenfranchised.
This ruling marks a significant moment for voting rights advocates in Nebraska who have long fought for the restoration of voting privileges for individuals with felony convictions. Under the new law, people who have completed their prison time, parole, or probation will be allowed to register to vote and participate in future elections without further restrictions.
The court’s decision puts an end to months of uncertainty about the status of the law, which was passed as an amendment in 2024 but faced delays in implementation due to legal challenges. Critics of the Secretary of State’s refusal to enact the law argued that denying the voting rights of individuals who have already served their time went against democratic principles.
Voting rights groups and civil liberties organizations in Nebraska have praised the ruling, calling it a victory for fairness and the reintegration of formerly incarcerated individuals into society. “This decision restores the basic rights of Nebraskans who have paid their debt to society,” one advocate said in a statement following the ruling.
With the Nebraska Supreme Court’s decision, the state joins many others across the country that have expanded voting rights for people with felony convictions. The ruling is expected to affect thousands of residents in Nebraska and could have broader implications for voting rights discussions nationwide.
