On July 17, 2024, Nebraska Secretary of State Robert Evnen issued a directive to election officials in Nebraska to ignore the law contained in LB20 (passed into law in 2024) and LB53 (passed into law in 2005). Together, the bills allow eligible Nebraska voters who have past felony convictions to vote once they are ‘off paper.’
This is an overreach of authority with dire consequences – unilaterally halting implementation of laws and shutting down new registrations for people with past felonies has thrown tens of thousands of Nebraskans’ voting rights into question.
On July 29, we petitioned the Nebraska Supreme Court to instruct the secretary of state to follow the law. The Court continues to consider the case.
›› Here is a timeline of developments. ‹‹
TIME LEFT FOR THE COURT TO RULE SO AFFECTED NEBRASKANS CAN RE-REGISTER ONLINE BEFORE THE ELECTION (11:59 PM CT on OCT. 18)
Days
Hours
Minutes
TIME LEFT FOR THE COURT TO RULE SO AFFECTED NEBRASKANS CAN RE-REGISTER IN-PERSON BEFORE THE ELECTION (6 PM CT on OCT. 25)
Days
Hours
Minutes
To be eligible to vote in Nebraska:
›› You must be a citizen of the United States;
›› You must live in Nebraska. This includes self-supporting students who regard the location of their school as their home, and military members living on a post with no intent to return to their former place of residence;
›› You must be 18 years old on or before Nov. 5, 2024;
›› You must have not been convicted of treason under Nebraska or federal law, unless a court has restored your right to vote;
›› If you were convicted of a felony, you must have completed your sentence (including probation or parole), and;
›› You must not be subject to a court order of mental incompetency (an adult under a guardianship order can still vote unless a court order states otherwise).
We know this is difficult. We're here to help.
Have you completed a felony sentence, including probation and/or parole, and have questions or concerns about your voting status? Civic Nebraska and our coalition partners can help.
Contact Noah Rhoades, voting rights restoration coordinator, at no**********@ci***********.org for more information.
Civic Nebraska’s voter helpline:
402-890-5291
Additional resources
RISE
Olivia Larson
Policy Fellow
402-999-0863
ol*****@se*******.org
Nebraska Secretary of State
P.O. Box 94608
Lincoln, NE 68509-4608
402-471-2555
sos******@ne******.gov
Nebraska Civic Engagement Table
Gabriela Pedroza
Power Building Organizing
Manager
gab*****@ne***********.org
ACLU of Nebraska
134 S. 13th St., No. 1010
Lincoln, NE 68508
get****@ac**********.org
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