By JustUs15Vote

Since 2005 via LB 53 (restoration of voting rights after two-years of completion of a felony
sentence), more than 90,000 Nebraskans already had their right to vote restored over the past 19 years. With the passage of LB 20 (automatic voting restoration upon completion of a felony sentence) in 2024, those numbers will continue to increase.
The Missouri bill mentioned in the article proposes that convicted felons should be allowed to run for public office, using the case of Donald Trump—who, despite facing legal challenges, is allowed to run for and become president—as a key argument. This can’t just be an exception for Trump. Applying this reality to Nebraska, if Trump can, we certainly should be able to as well.  Nebraskans convicted of a felon should be allowed to hold public office and serve on jury for
several reasons:

1. Equal Rights Under the Law: The argument that Trump is entitled to run for and become president, despite legal challenges, highlights the principle that individuals,
regardless of their past actions, keep certain fundamental rights. If a person who has been
convicted of a crime has served their sentence and completed their legal obligations, they
should not be further deprived of their civil rights. These rights include the ability to take
part in democratic processes, such as running for office or serving on a jury. Denying
these rights suggests a perpetual punishment beyond the original sentence, which goes against the idea of rehabilitation.

2. Rehabilitation and Reintegration into Society: Allowing convicted felons to hold public office or serving on juries supports the principle of rehabilitation. By enabling
citizens convicted of a felony to take part in these civic duties, the state sends a message
that individuals can change and contribute positively to society. Their experience and
perspective could enrich public service, making decisions that are more reflective of the
full diversity of the community.

3. Precedent Set by High-Profile Figures: The case of Donald Trump, as cited in the
Missouri bill, serves as a precedent. If a high-profile individual facing legal challenges can still take part in the political process, why should an ordinary citizen who has paid
their debt to society be denied the same opportunity? This could be interpreted as a
contradiction in how the law treats different individuals, and a fair and consistent
application of rights would support allowing citizens convicted of a felony in Nebraska to hold office and serve on juries.

4. Second Chances and Democracy: A functioning democracy is one that offers second chances. Allowing citizens convicted of a felony to run for office and serve on juries
provides them with an opportunity to prove they are habilitated and trustworthy members of the community. This aligns with the principles of democratic inclusion and redemption, where the past should not indefinitely prevent someone from taking part in
society’s important decisions.

5. Voter and Jury Representation: Citizens convicted of a felony, as a significant demographic, can offer valuable perspectives in decision-making roles. In many instances, they may be marginalized groups whose experiences are often
underrepresented in political discourse and jury pools. Allowing citizens convicted of a
felony to serve in these roles ensures that government decisions and legal outcomes better reflect the diverse reality of the population.
By citing the obvious example of Trump in Missouri, the argument can be made that citizens convicted of a felony in Nebraska should be allowed to run for office and serve on juries, not only as a matter of fairness but also as a way to strengthen the democratic process by fostering inclusion, rehabilitation, and equal treatment for all citizens.

See source article: 

https://missouriindependent.com/2024/12/09/missouri-gop-lawmaker-
invokes-trump-in-bill-to-allow-felons-to-run-for-office/