Returning felons Archives | American Democracy Minute

Courts Order Halt to Alabama Voter Purge and to Allow Nebraska’s Formerly Incarcerated Felon Citizens to Register & Vote

October 17, 2024October 18, 2024

In separate rulings October 16th, courts in Alabama and Nebraska sided with voters over zealous state officials, protecting the right to register and vote in the 2024 election.

Iowa House Bill Requires Mail Ballots to Be Returned Before Election Day, Bans RCV, and Allows Convicted Felons to Qualify to Run in Federal Elections

March 7, 2024March 7, 2024

The Republican-dominated Iowa House passed regulations March 5th which would require voters to return mail ballots the day BEFORE election day. House File 2610 also stops use of ballot drop boxes, bans ranked choice voting, and allows felons to run for federal office.

Democracy News Wasn’t All Bad in 2023; MI, MN, NM, CT, PA, & NY All Passed Substantial Pro-Voter Legislation

January 4, 2024January 4, 2024

While some state legislatures are making it harder to vote, a 2023 recap from Voting Rights Lab shows a few states passed legislation to help people register to vote and to make voting more accessible to all citizens.

Virginia’s Governor Ended Automatic Voting Rights Restoration for 12,000 Returning Felons this Year. A State Error Almost Disenfranchised 3,400 More.

November 5, 2023November 13, 2023

News broke recently that the State of Virginia mistakenly revoked voting rights for 270 formerly incarcerated felons whose rights had previously been restored. An investigation shows that number has ballooned to 3,400 Virginians.

Federal Court Strikes Down Mississippi Constitutional Provision With Racist History Keeping 11% of Its Population from Voting

August 20, 2023December 30, 2023

Mississippi has the highest percentage of voting-age citizens who are not able to vote due to past felony convictions. In early August, a federal court struck down the responsible Jim Crow provision in Mississippi’s constitution, citing “cruel and unusual punishment.”