Challengers argued that the new law was unconstitutional because it returns voting rights to felons on release, before civil rights are returned.
In a Friday decision, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals declared Section 241 of the Mississippi Constitution, which imposes permanent disenfranchisement for certain crimes, to be unconstitutional under the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment.
Challengers argued that the new law was unconstitutional because it returns voting rights to felons on release, before civil rights are returned.
In a Friday decision, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals declared Section 241 of the Mississippi Constitution, which imposes permanent disenfranchisement for certain crimes, to be unconstitutional under the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment.