What? So What? Now What?: LB20 goes to the floor

This week, restoring voting rights for Nebraskans who have fully paid their debt to society advanced from committee to the full Legislature. Here's what that means.

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What? 

This week, LB20 – a bill to restore voting rights for formerly incarcerated Nebraskans convicted of a felony – was advanced by the Nebraska Legislature’s Government, Military, and Veterans Affairs Committee. The vote was 6-2:

ADVANCE: Sens. Brewer, Aguilar, Hunt, Sanders, Conrad, Raybould

DO NOT ADVANCE: Sens. Lowe, Halloran

So what?

This is a sign of strong bipartisan support for restoring voting rights to thousands of Nebraskans. We agree that reforming Nebraska’s archaic law in this area is past due: It imposes an arbitrary, additional two-year waiting period for returning Nebraskans, even after they have fully paid their debt to society.

Removing barriers to the right to vote helps returning citizens become full members of their communities, and research shows it is a factor in lowering recidivism. This is particularly important now, as our state struggles with overcrowding in our correctional facilities. Learn more here.

Now what?

LB20 will be scheduled for General File, the first of three readings on its way to passage. We’ll be sure to keep you posted when that’s set to happen.

In the meantime, let’s continue this momentum all the way to Gov. Pillen’s desk. Please encourage friends, family, colleagues, and others to help get LB20 across the finish line. And, please, join us in sending our sincere thanks to the Government Committee senators who voted to advance the bill.

Email Sen. Brewer | Sen. Hunt | Sen. Sanders | Sen. Raybould | Sen. Conrad | Sen. Aguilar

Let’s get it done, Nebraska!

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