The Nebraska Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that a top election official had no authority to declare unconstitutional a state law that restored the voting rights of those who have been convicted of a felony, issuing a decision with implications for the upcoming election.

Nebraska’s top election official had no authority to strip voting rights from people convicted of a felony, the state Supreme Court ruled Wednesday in a decision that could add hundreds of new voters to the rolls and potentially help tip the balance on Nov.

The state court ruling with 2024 election implications requires letting people vote as soon as they complete their sentences. Republicans didn’t want that.

Nebraska court says people with felony convictions can register to vote, a ruling with implications for Nov. 5 election

Nebraska’s highest court ruled against top state officials as it upheld a law providing felons with a path to register to vote after completing their sentences.

Nebraskans with felony convictions may register to vote after the state’s high court ruled Wednesday that a top election official had no authority to deem a law restoring those rights

Legislators voted to restore voting rights to more people convicted of felonies, but a dispute over that law’s constitutionality created pre-election confusion.

The decision affirmed a law passed by the Legislature this year clearing the way for people to cast ballots immediately after finishing prison and parole terms.

People in Nebraska who were convicted of felonies and have finished their sentences can register to vote in the November election, the court ruled Wednesday.

Nebraska residents with felony records can register to vote immediately after finishing their sentences, the state Supreme Court ordered Wednesday, in a case that challenged the state’s top election chief.

In Nebraska, a wild card candidate is shaking up the US Senate map for Republicans, who never expected to be defending a seat in a reliably red state.