Why is LB20 Important?

In Nebraska, people previously convicted of a felony must wait an additional two years past the completion of their sentence – including probation and parole – to vote.

Upon a felony conviction, most states only temporarily suspend voting rights, and the duration of the suspension varies from state to state.

Nebraska is one of the few states to withhold voting rights beyond the completion of a sentence for a felony conviction. In Nebraska, people previously convicted of a felony must wait an additional two years past the completion of their sentence – including probation and parole – to vote. 

While some argue that the waiting period gives people previously convicted of a felony a chance to prove that they are reformed, waiting periods like these can cause those with previous convictions to feel excluded from their communities and impact their ability to reintegrate into society.