Voting Rights Restoration Coalition launches ‘Get My Vote Back’ education campaign
HASTINGS, Neb. (KSNB) - Nebraska’s Voting Rights Restoration Coalition announced on Friday a public education campaign on Nebraska’s new voting rights law.
Stemming from the Nebraska Legislature’s passage of LB20, state residents who have completed a felony sentence can now register to vote immediately after completion, rather than wait an extra two years.
“Eliminating the two-year waiting period for the restoration of voting rights bolsters positive social engagement which is one of the keys to reentry well-being,” said Jasmine Harris, director of public policy and advocacy at RISE. “We look forward to assisting people with regaining their voice at the ballot box.”
The law goes into effect July 18. In anticipation, the Coalition has launched GetMyVoteBack.org as a three-step guide for Nebraskans who will be re-enfranchised in 2024. The website also provides links, resources, and answers to frequently asked questions regarding the re-enfranchisement process, including:
1. Checking eligibility status with the Clerk of the District Court in which the felony sentence was given.
2. Registering to vote, either online or in person.
3. Understanding and choosing from Nebraska’s voting options – in person on Election Day, via early mail-in ballot, or early in person.
In addition, Coalition partners Civic Nebraska, RISE, and the Nebraska Civic Engagement Table have staff members ready to assist affected Nebraskans. Their contact information is at GetMyVoteBack.org.
To vote in Nebraska, you must be 18, a citizen of the United States, and a Nebraska resident. Nebraskans with felony convictions – the subject of the new law – must be “off paper,” meaning they have completed their term of incarceration, probation, supervised release, or parole and have satisfied any other requirements from the court and remained conviction-free.
“We look forward to continuing our work as part of the Voting Rights Restoration Coalition to ensure that all people impacted by the passage of this bill have the information and resources they need to vote in future elections,” said Brad Christian-Sallis, director of power building at the Nebraska Civic Engagement Table.
Nebraska’s Voting Rights Restoration Coalition is comprised of more than 30 Nebraska organizations that focus on voting and elections, democracy, racial justice and criminal justice reform.
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