Restore the vote: Let’s get LB20 passed in 2023

On Jan. 5, State Sen. Justin Wayne of Omaha introduced Legislative Bill 20, a measure that would eliminate an arbitrary and unnecessary waiting period to vote for some Nebraskans.

This is good news. Right now, Nebraska is among a small handful of states to withhold voting rights well beyond the completion of felony sentences. Once someone has served their time – including successfully completing probation or parole – they must then wait an additional two years before their right to vote is restored. 

Punishing people by restricting their right to vote for years beyond their sentence is archaic, excessive, and unjustified – and LB20 would correct that.

What’s next? Every bill gets a hearing in Nebraska, and we’ll keep you posted as to when a hearing on LB20 will occur. In the meantime, please join us in contacting members of the Nebraska Legislature’s Government, Military, & Affairs Committee – State Sens. Tom Brewer, Danielle Conrad, Steve Halloran, Rick Holdcroft, Megan Hunt, John Lowe, Jane Raybould, and Rita Sanders. Tell them that it’s past time that Nebraska caught up to the rest of the country by restoring our fellow citizens’ voting rights.

Want more information on joining the movement to restore the vote? Click here. Let’s get this done, Nebraska!

Thank you for all that you do,

Mike Forsythe
Voting Rights Program Manager