Nebraska Voting Rights Case Under Supreme Court Review

Nebraska's Secretary of State Bob Evnen has decided not to remove individuals with felony convictions who registered to vote under the 2005 law LB53 from the voter rolls, pending a decision from the Nebraska Supreme Court on the constitutionality of voting rights restoration laws. Evnen's recent actions followed a legal opinion from Attorney General Mike Hilgers, which deemed both LB53 and the newly passed LB20 unconstitutional. As a result, county election offices have been instructed to halt new voter registrations for felons unless they have been pardoned. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has filed a lawsuit against Evnen's directive, representing three Nebraskans affected by the decision. Oral arguments for the case are set to begin on August 28, and Evnen has expressed hope for a rapid resolution before the November elections. The situation has raised concerns about voting rights for approximately 7,000 Nebraskans who could be affected by these changes.