In a significant legal battle, the Nebraska Supreme Court is poised to make a crucial decision regarding the constitutionality of the state's attorney general's opinion on a new law that allows individuals with prior felony convictions to vote starting this November. The issue at hand revolves around the removal of a two-year waiting period, which had allowed people with past felony convictions to vote after completing their sentence requirements since 2005.

Attorney General Mike Hilgers' opinion states that individuals with felony offenses are currently unable to vote in Nebraska unless they receive clearance from the state's board of pardons, a process that is known to be rare in the state. While the new law lifts the two-year waiting period, Hilgers argues that the state board of pardons still holds the authority to determine whether a person with a felony conviction can exercise their voting rights.

Both sides presented their arguments during a hearing held on Wednesday in Lincoln. Advocates for the restoration of felon voting rights hope that the courts will uphold the new law, which would enfranchise an estimated 7,000 Nebraskans and potentially tens of thousands more who had already regained their voting rights following another law passed in 2005.

Republican Secretary of State Bob Evnen, who is a member of the state board of pardons along with Attorney General Hilgers, voiced his commitment to following the court's decision. "Whatever the court decides, that's what I'm going to do. We believe in the rule of law. The court's going to decide this issue, and whatever their decision is, we're going to follow that decision," Evnen stated.

Justin Wayne, the author of the bill aimed at restoring voting rights for felons, emphasized the importance of the upcoming election and the need to register and mobilize eligible voters. "This is a huge election coming up, and we have to do what we have to do to get people registered to vote and get them out there," Wayne stated, highlighting the significance of ensuring voting rights for all eligible citizens.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) also weighed in on the matter, expressing concerns that a denial of the new law would effectively disenfranchise not only an estimated 7,000 Nebraskans but also tens of thousands of individuals who have already had their voting rights restored since 2005.

With the Nebraska Supreme Court set to make a final ruling on the issue, the fate of felon voting rights in the state remains uncertain. The decision is anticipated to have far-reaching implications and will determine the degree to which individuals with prior felony convictions can participate in the democratic process.