A bill that aimed to restore a felon’s voting rights in Nebraska upon completion of their sentence was recently ruled unconstitutional.
On July 17, Attorney General Mike Hilgers issued an opinion that the Pardons Board alone has the authority to restore those voting rights. The decision may impact 7,000 Nebraskans.
“My hope is that we would realize that everyone deserves a seat, everyone has a voice,” said Darryl Brown Jr., Senior Director of Programs and Advocacy at Black & Pink National. “This is such an important conversation, especially amidst the current [political] climate. My desire is that everybody gets an opportunity to vote and to speak their piece about what's happening in our government.”
In Nebraska, felons are able to vote two years after they complete their sentence. LB20 would have removed the two-year waiting period and restored a felon’s right to vote immediately after their sentence completion.
“If you've served your sentence, and you've done your time, you've done your time, it's time to move on,” said community advocate T.J. King. “I’m paying taxes, that comes out of my paycheck. Why not be able to have my voice heard, why not be able to be present and be an advocate for the community?"
Over the weekend, the Voting Rights Restoration Coalition hosted a community event at Culxr House in downtown Omaha in response to the decision. The event was originally for voter registration, but was not possible due to the ruling.
“We've got a lot of work ahead of us,” said Heather Engdahl, the Director of Voting Rights at Civic Nebraska. “We know that it is so important for folks to regain their rights once they've served their time. Now as we move forward, [we are] making sure that we're keeping voters informed and minimizing barriers.”
The event served food with a side of political activism. Attendees had the opportunity to speak with advocates from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Civic Nebraska and the Voting Rights Restoration Coalition among other organizations.
“Democracy will thrive if everyone votes and barriers to voting are just a blockage,” said Joanna Lindberg, an attendee and member of the League of Women Voters of Greater Omaha. “At first I was just so angry, then sad, now I'm empowered. it's going to be settled in the courts and it will be in favor of democracy.”
LB 20 passed on April 17, but this decision could hinder people's ability to vote. The Nebraska Supreme Court will decide whether the bill is constitutional or not.
“Everybody is a circumstance,” King said. “We don't know what somebody's past is, but we're trying to hinder somebody's future. We just want to make sure that their voices are heard and if it means us having to take legal action, then that's what we're going to do is take legal action.”