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 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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

Decision could impact thousands of voters in state, as well as fate of state’s competive U.S. Senate and House races

Nebraska's top state court on Wednesday upheld a state law allowing felons who have completed their sentences to vote, enabling thousands more people to cast ballots in the Nov. 5 U.S. presidential election.