Case Study
In Nebraska, Nebraska Civic Engagement Table worked in coalition to restore voting rights to thousands
The Challenge
Across the country, millions of people are disenfranchised due to state laws that bar people with felony convictions from voting. These punitive policies damage democracy and our communities by denying people their fundamental right to vote. Specifically in Nebraska, formerly incarcerated individuals have been forced to wait two additional full years following the end of their sentence, including probation and parole, to register to vote.
The Approach
Nebraska Civic Engagement Table worked in partnership with Nebraska’s Voting Rights Restoration Coalition to encourage the state legislature to approve a new law allowing state residents who have completed a felony sentence to register to vote immediately after completion of their sentence rather than waiting an extra two years to have their voting rights restored
“The right to vote fundamentally transforms an individual’s relationship with their community, allowing them agency to participate in decision-making and take collective responsibility for creating the society we all want to see. We’re proud to have played a role in restoring voting rights to thousands of Nebraskans and will continue to work to engage people with experience in the criminal legal system to be active participants in our democracy.”
– Brad Christian-Sallis, Director of Power Building at the Nebraska Civic Engagement Table
Nebraska advocates standing outside the Nebraska capital building holding signs that read “No, wait to participate” and “Yes to second chances.”
Our Impact
The law sustained legal challenges to effectively reinstate voting rights for roughly 7,000 Nebraskans and build on recent momentum expanding voting rights for people impacted by the criminal legal system across the country. In less than 30 years, 26 states and the District of Columbia have expanded voting rights to people with felony convictions and allowed more than two million U.S. residents access to the ballot.
Conclusion
Achieving a truly healthy democracy where we can all participate will take multiple strategies.
At State Voices, we believe it’ll take a collective effort of varied tactics—integrated civic engagement—to get to the democracy our communities deserve. Expanding voting rights is a critical piece of the puzzle, but so are engaging in education and outreach, and providing aid and support
A group photo of Nebraska advocates and organizers holding various signs in support of voting rights restoration.
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