A recent lawsuit filed in New Mexico claims that residents with felony convictions are being wrongly denied ballot access. The lawsuit, filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico and Albuquerque-based attorney David Urias, alleges that individuals who have completed their sentence and are no longer on probation or parole should have their voting rights restored.
According to state law, individuals convicted of a felony lose their right to vote until their sentence is completed, including any probation or parole. However, the lawsuit argues that state officials are misinterpreting the law and wrongly denying individuals their right to vote even after they have completed their sentence.
The plaintiffs in the lawsuit include individuals who have felony convictions dating back several decades and have since completed their sentences and turned their lives around. They argue that voting is a fundamental right that should not be denied based on past mistakes, especially when individuals have served their time and demonstrated their rehabilitation.
The lawsuit is seeking a court order to clarify the state’s voting rights laws and ensure that individuals with felony convictions who have completed their sentences are able to vote in future elections. Additionally, the plaintiffs are seeking compensation for legal fees and other damages caused by the denial of their voting rights.
New Mexico is one of several states facing legal challenges over voter disenfranchisement laws that disproportionately impact individuals with felony convictions. Advocates hope that this lawsuit will lead to greater clarity and fairness in the state’s voting rights laws, ensuring that all eligible voters are able to participate in the democratic process.
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