Global Courant 2023-05-03 00:03:34
Louisiana is imposing unfair and illegal paperwork requirements on some former inmates who have regained the right to vote, criminal and voting rights lawyers say in a lawsuit filed Monday in federal court.
According to the lawsuit, under laws passed in 2019 and 2021, convicted felons will have automatic voting rights if they are out of prison for five years. But the lawsuit points to an apparent quirk in the law that treats some formerly incarcerated people differently than others.
Those registering to vote for the first time are not required to show papers to register, according to the lawsuit.
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A lawsuit in Louisiana requires former inmates who regained the right to vote to fill out paperwork.
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But those who were already registered to vote when they were convicted of a crime were given “suspended” status, according to the lawsuit, and must obtain and provide paperwork proving eligibility.
The lawsuit alleges that the requirement is the result of a misreading or misapplication of state law. It is asking federal court in Baton Rouge to stop the practice.
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John Tobler, a spokesman for Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin, said Ardoin’s office had not yet received the lawsuit and would not comment on pending litigation.
