LINCOLN, Neb. (KMTV) — A bill in the Nebraska legislature would allow more than 17,000 people the right to vote -- those being felons in prison or those who have recently completed their sentence.
Currently in Nebraska, felons have to wait two years after their sentence is complete to vote.
Senator Machaela Cavanaugh of Omaha says felons absolutely should be able to vote.
“I just thought it was wrong that we take somebody's right away," said Sen. Cavanaugh.
Her proposed constitutional amendment would leave it up to Nebraska voters to decide, striking current law that forces felons to wait two years until they leave prison or are off parole to cast a ballot.
If it passed, Nebraska would join Vermont and Maine as the only states allowing prisoners to vote.
It would be quite the change as the state currently is one of 11 that has extra requirements for felons after their sentence is done.
"We have no good reason for using this as a punishment,” said Gavin Geiss of Common Cause. “None of the theories we use to talk about punishment fit."
Multiple senators from different sides of the aisle said in the hearing they consistently get letters from those behind bars.
"Some of the people that are most engaged and know the most about the process are the people that don't even have the right to participate in it," said Sen. Megan Hunt.
Others testifying questioned the current state law, wondering why it is even in place now.
"Does the state really need to restrict this right? Is our current policy actually accomplishing positive? I just sincerely believe the answer is no," said Westin Miller of Civic Nebraska.
Miller said that prisoners pay taxes, but can't vote.
“You could be incarcerated for a felony and pay property taxes, income taxes and sales taxes,” said Miller. "We can't get more universal, more American I guess, than no taxation without representation."
There was no opposition in the hearing Wednesday.
3 News Now asked Governor Pete Ricketts’ office if he supported the bill and did not get a response.
When the legislature passed a bill in 2017 striking the wait period for felons, Gov. Ricketts vetoed it, saying felons need time to "keep their noses clean."
"We have a law that I think is reasonable in the state. That if you're a felon, you have to wait two years until you can vote, and that's the way it ought to stay," said Gov. Ricketts in 2017.
If the legislature passes the constitutional amendment, it would be on the 2020 general election ballot.
