Tag Archives: voting rights

Bill would eliminate voting restrictions for ex-felons

Testimony on another good bill was heard by the Legislature’s Government, Military, and Veteran’s Affairs Committee. Sen. Justin Wayne introduced LB1027, which would immediately restore voting rights to convicted felons when they complete their sentence.Currently, a person automatically regains his or her voting rights two years after completion of a felony sentence, including parole. LB1027, introduced […]

Op-ed: America steals votes from felons

Writing for the Guardian former U.S. Senator Russ Feingold says that millions of American citizens are prevented from voting by discriminatory state laws that disenfranchise people with a felony conviction.The right to vote is the most fundamental right of any democracy, granting it legitimacy as a means of government by instilling power in the people […]

Governor vetoes bill to restore ex-felon voting rights

As expected, Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts vetoed a bill that would allow ex-felons to vote immediately after completing their prison sentence, parole, or probation. The legislature approved the bill (LB 75) with a 27-13 vote.More than 7,000 Nebraskans with felony convictions who have completed their sentences do not have the right to vote, according to […]

Legislature approves bill to restore ex-felon voting rights

The Nebraska Legislature has approved a bill (LB 75) that would restore voting rights to ex-felons immediately after they complete their prison sentence or probation. The bill eliminates the current two-year waiting period before voting rights can be restored.The Legislature approved the bill on a 27-13 vote, with nine abstentions. More information here.Update: Governor Pete Ricketts […]

Bill to immediately restore ex-felon voting rights closer to approval

The Nebraska Legislature gave initial approval to a bill that would allow ex-felons to regain their right to vote immediately after completing their prison sentence or probation. There is currently a two year wait before voting rights can be restored.The Legislature gave first round approval to the bill (LB 75) on Friday. It must clear […]

Committee advances bill to immediately restore ex-felon voting rights

A Nebraska Legislative committee has advanced a bill (LB75) that would immediately restore voting rights to ex-felons who have completed their sentence.Current law requires a two year waiting period before voting rights are restored. The Government, Military, and Veterans Affairs Committee advanced the bill on a 5-1 vote after a hearing Wednesday.Read more here.LB75 text

Bill would immediately restore voting rights to ex-felons

Nebraska Sen. Justin Wayne has introduced legislation that would immediately restore voting rights to felons who have served their time, eliminating the current two-year waiting period.The story is reported in the Lincoln Journal-Star.Approximately 7,819 former felons in Nebraska were restricted from voting in the 2010 elections, the ACLU reported. Every year, the Nebraska Department of […]

Election’s coming: Know your voting rights

With the 2016 election just a few weeks away, this essay from the Collateral Consequences Resource Center is a good reminder of the importance of knowing the voting laws in your state – especially if you have been convicted of a crime.In Nebraska, people with felony convictions can vote, with a few caveats.Here is an […]