USA Today: Nebraska removes two-year waiting period for felons to vote

RISE is among the 31 member groups that make up the Nebraska Voting Rights Restoration Coalition, which counts Common Cause Nebraska among its members. Gavin Geis, the Executive Director, says restoring voting rights helps reduce recidivism by creating stronger community ties.

“It’s a way of engaging people in their communities that was cut off before,” Geis said. “So beyond getting to vote on who represents you, I think this helps tie people back into their neighbors and their community in a way that will hopefully reduce the reasons why one ends up back in prison.”

Harris and Geis say the coalition is actively working on education and outreach efforts to explain to Nebraska residents who’ve been incarcerated about the voting registration process. This includes how to check eligibility status with the Clerk of the District Court where the sentence was given, register to vote online (the registration deadline for the Nov. 5, 2024 election is Oct. 25), and then vote early by mail, early in person at the local county election commission office, or in person at a polling site on Election Day.

 

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