North Carolina appeals court temporarily enjoins order expanding felon voting rights News
© WikiMedia (Michael Fleshman)
North Carolina appeals court temporarily enjoins order expanding felon voting rights

The North Carolina Court of Appeals on Friday blocked a lower court order that would restore voting rights to more than 55,000 North Carolinians on parole or probation for a felony.

In 2019, several nonprofit groups, including the Community Success Initiative (CSI), challenged the North Carolina law that barred convicted felons from voting until their full sentence, including parole and probation, was complete. In a statement, CSI argued that “the restrictions violate the state constitution, unduly hurt African Americans and discourage voting by those who have fulfilled their sentences.”

Last month, the North Carolina Superior Court ruled that the state’s 1973 voting law is unconstitutional, and the state must expand voting access.

According to North Carolina House Speaker Tim Moore, Republican congressional leaders asked the state Attorney General Josh Stein to appeal the Superior Court’s order. Stein refused, and “legislative leaders fired Stein and hired outside counsel.” Moore said, “although this fight is far from over, [he is] confident that the Constitution will prevail in the end.”

Advocates for the formerly incarcerated are expected to appeal the appellate court’s decision to the North Carolina Supreme Court.

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