Nebraska's Supreme Court has ruled that the state's top election official, Secretary of State Bob Evnen, lacked authority to revoke voting rights from individuals convicted of felonies. This landmark decision could affect around 7,000 residents, thereby altering voter turnout in Nebraska's Omaha-centered 2nd Congressional District. This district, pivotal in the state's allocation of electoral votes, has historically supported Democratic presidential candidates, notably Barack Obama in 2008 and Joe Biden in 2020.
Evnen's initial order, influenced by an opinion from Attorney General Mike Hilgers, sought to annul a recent law restoring voting rights to those who had completed felony sentences. The opinion argued it contravened the state constitution's separation of powers, suggesting only the Board of Pardons could reestablish such rights. The state Supreme Court's intervention followed the ACLU's swift legal action on behalf of Civic Nebraska, highlighting the broader national discourse on voting rights for former felons.
This ruling arises amidst nationwide debates on felony disenfranchisement, laws often rooted in historical racial discrimination. About 5.85 million Americans remain disenfranchised due to these laws. With Nebraska's decision potentially swaying the democratic and electoral landscape, Democratic entities, including Kamala Harris's campaign, have invested heavily in securing votes within the crucial Omaha district ahead of the November 5 election. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)