Felons would no longer have to wait two years after serving their sentences to exercise their right to vote under a bill that passed Monday in the Nebraska Legislature. It remained unclear, however, whether Gov. Pete Ricketts would allow Legislative Bill 75 to become law or veto it. The Governor’s Office did not respond Monday to questions about the measure. The priority bill of State Sen. Justin Wayne of Omaha would need 30 votes to override a veto. It received 27 “yes” votes Monday.
“I hope the governor signs it and we stop disenfranchising people who we need to integrate back into the community,” Wayne said.
The current law requiring a two-year waiting period was adopted in 2005 after the Legislature overrode the veto of then-Gov. Dave Heineman. Before that, a felon had to receive a state pardon before his right to vote was restored.