The NC State Board of Elections and local district attorneys urge a federal judge to reject a lawsuit challenging state restrictions on felon voting. The federal court action is taking place after the NC Supreme Court upheld state felon voting rules in April.
An election reform bill moving through the N.C. General Assembly could have a major impact on a federal lawsuit dealing with felon voting. In a court filing Monday, lawyers representing defendants in the case asked for more time to respond to the plaintiffs’ recent motion for summary judgment. The defendants cited the potential effect of Senate Bill 747.
A federal lawsuit challenging North Carolina’s restrictions against felon voting is scheduled to go to trial in April 2024. If that timeline holds, felons would be unable to vote in this year’s municipal elections or next year’s March 5 primaries. Participation in the 2024 general election could depend on the outcome of the case, titled N.C. A. Philip Randolph Institute v. N.C. State Board of Elections.