The next frontier in the voting rights movement must be freeing the vote for people with felony convictions—past or present.

For too long, a felony conviction has carried consequences that extend far beyond the sentence imposed by a court. Even after people return home, rebuild their lives, raise families, work, pay taxes, and contribute to their communities, the right to participate fully in our democracy can remain restricted.

Nebraska should choose a different path.

The right to vote is more than a privilege of citizenship—it is the foundation upon which every other democratic right rests. If we believe in accountability, rehabilitation, restoration, and second chances, then those principles should also be reflected in our democracy. A criminal conviction should not permanently diminish a person’s voice as a citizen.

Across the country, states have taken very different approaches to felony disenfranchisement. Maine and Vermont demonstrate the most inclusive model: people do not lose their right to vote because of a felony conviction, even while incarcerated. Other states restore voting rights at various points after incarceration, including while individuals are living in the community on probation, parole, or other forms of supervision.

Nebraska should move toward a simple principle: citizenship, not conviction status, should determine who has a voice in our democracy.

At minimum, every Nebraskan who is convicted but not confined—whether living in the community on probation, parole, or post-release supervision—should have an unquestioned right to vote. They are our neighbors, parents, workers, taxpayers, faith-community members, and community leaders. They are already living among us and contributing to Nebraska.

But Nebraska should be willing to go further.

If voting encourages civic responsibility, strengthens community connection, and reminds people that they have a stake in the future of their communities, then voting should be understood as part of successful reintegration—not something withheld from it.

Nebraska has an opportunity to lead the Midwest in redefining what restoration looks like. Accountability should not mean permanent exclusion. A sentence should have an end. Citizenship should not.

The next chapter of voting rights in Nebraska must be about restoring voice, strengthening democracy, and ensuring that every citizen has a meaningful stake in our shared future.

It is time for Nebraska to free the vote.