Federal Appeals Court Strikes Down Mississippi's Lifetime Voting Ban for Convicts

A federal appeals court has ruled that Mississippi cannot strip the right to vote from convicts after they complete their sentences, deeming it a "cruel and unusual punishment" that disproportionately affects Black people. The court faulted a provision in Mississippi's state constitution that mandates lifetime disenfranchisement for certain crimes, stating that it violates the Eighth Amendment. The provision, adopted in 1890, was found to have a racially discriminatory aim. The ruling is seen as a major victory for those who have completed their sentences and deserve to participate fully in the political process. The decision is expected to be appealed.