Lawsuit: Mississippi 'harsh' in denying ex-con voting rights
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi has enacted unfair barriers that stop former convicts from regaining their right to vote, a new federal lawsuit says.
The class-action suit, filed Tuesday, says Mississippi's system is "harsh, punitive and unforgiving" and disproportionately hurts African-Americans.
The lawsuit seeks what 40 states already have: automatic or uncomplicated restoration of voting rights once a person completes a sentence for a disenfranchising crime.
"They've paid their debt to society and they're productive citizens with families, with loved ones, who love this state but unfortunately are not loved back," said Jody Owens of the Southern Poverty Law Center.