Advocating for Reform

Ending Felony Disenfranchisement and Restoring Voting Rights in Mississippi

Report Summary

This report explores the historical and ongoing impacts of felony disenfranchisement in Mississippi, which disproportionately affects Black communities. More than 68,000 Mississippians are disenfranchised, including over 43,000 African Americans. The practice originated from Mississippi’s 1890 Constitution, designed to suppress African American political power through targeted criminal statutes. These laws echo the legacy of Jim Crow and continue to hinder democratic representation and racial equity. Despite the challenges, there is momentum for reform, including legislative efforts to restore voting rights for certain nonviolent felony convictions.

Key statistics and takeaways in this report include:

68,731 disenfranchised voters in Mississippi, with 63% being Black.
1 in 22 African Americans nationwide are disenfranchised, compared to 1 in 59 for the general population.
The number of disenfranchised people in the U.S. has decreased by 31% since 2016, now affecting 4 million Americans.
Legislative reform, constitutional amendments, and judicial action are recommended to restore voting rights and promote racial equity.
In 2024, 21 suffrage bills were approved in Mississippi, signaling progress toward a more inclusive democracy.

Introduction

At the heart of a thriving democracy is the belief that every voice matters and everyone deserves the opportunity to participate in shaping their government. Felony disenfranchisement, which is the practice of taking away a person’s right to vote because they have been convicted of a felony, however, undermines this ideal by systematically excluding individuals from the electoral process. This practice not only weakens fair representation but also continues the deep inequalities tied to our country’s history of racism and oppression.

Mississippi shows just how much these laws can affect individuals and communities. As one of ten states where individuals can be permanently disenfranchised due to a felony conviction, Mississippi’s policies disproportionately harm Black communities, echoing the legacy of Jim Crow-era suppression. Over 68,000 Mississippians are currently disenfranchised, including more than 43,000 African Americans, depriving them of their fundamental right to vote and silencing significant portions of the state’s population.¹

These practices have a long and troubling history. Written in Mississippi’s 1890 Constitution, felony disenfranchisement was created to suppress the political power of African Americans by targeting offenses stereotypically attributed to them at the time.² While disenfranchising felonies vary by state, their overall impact across the nation is significant, disproportionately affecting African Americans and other marginalized groups.

Amid these challenges, there is hope. Recent reforms, including legislative wins with suffrage bills and growing momentum to end disenfranchisement for certain nonviolent felony convictions in Mississippi, signal a shift toward a more equitable future. By restoring voting rights, Mississippi can take a meaningful step toward justice, equality, and a more representative democracy.

From Reconstruction to the Present: The Racial History of Felony Disenfranchisement in Mississippi

The history of voting rights in Mississippi is deeply intertwined with efforts to suppress African American political participation, reflecting a long-standing legacy of systemic racism that continues to shape the state’s political landscape today.

Following the Civil War, the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863 declared enslaved Africans free, and this was further solidified by the passage of the 13th Amendment in 1865, which abolished slavery nationwide. However, freedom did not immediately bring equality, and progress led to even more resistance.

During the Reconstruction Era (1865–1877), African American men gained the right to vote under the 15th Amendment, passed in 1869 and ratified in 1870. Yet, these gains were met with violence, disenfranchisement, and widespread oppression. With the end of Reconstruction, Jim Crow laws emerged in 1877, cementing racial segregation and stripping African Americans of their political and civil rights.

Mississippi was a leader in this resistance. In 1890, in response to the increasing political and social gains of African Americans, the state convened a constitutional convention with the express goal of suppressing African American political participation and restoring white supremacy. The result was Section 241 of the 1890 Mississippi Constitution, which permanently disenfranchised individuals convicted of specific crimes, including bribery, burglary, theft, arson, and perjury. These crimes were chosen based on racial stereotypes, with the belief that Black men were more likely to commit them.

The disenfranchisement clause went further, striking all voters from the rolls and requiring them to re-register, but only if they paid poll taxes, could read, and passed a constitution literacy test.⁶ The intention was clear. As future Governor and U.S. Senator James K. Vardaman bluntly stated, “Mississippi’s constitutional convention of 1890 was held for no other purpose than to eliminate the n—– from politics.”

The impact was swift and devastating. Within a decade, the number of Black registered voters in Mississippi plummeted from over 130,000 to fewer than 1,300.8 Other Southern states quickly followed Mississippi’s lead, using a variety of methods to disenfranchise Black voters.⁹ For example, some states implemented “grandfather clauses” that required voters to have had a grandfather who voted, while others employed “white primaries,” excluding Black voters from participating in Democratic primaries.

Over the years, Mississippi’s disenfranchisement laws continued to evolve. In 1950, the state amended its constitution to remove burglary as a disenfranchising crime, but in 1968, the state expanded the list by adding “non-black” crimes like murder and rape. The list of disenfranchising felonies has since grown, with the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office offering opinions that expanded the list to include 23 crimes. These offenses include arson, armed robbery, bigamy, bribery, embezzlement, extortion, felony bad check, felony shoplifting, forgery, larceny, murder, obtaining money or goods under false pretense, perjury, rape, receiving stolen property, robbery, theft, timber larceny, unlawful taking of motor vehicle, statutory rape, carjacking, larceny under lease or rental agreement, and voter fraud.

Disenfranchising
Felony Convictions

Arson

Armed robbery

Bigamy

Bribery

Embezzlement

Extortion

Felony Bad Check

Felony Shoplifting

Forgery

Larceny

Murder

Obtaining Money or Goods Under False Pretenses

Perjury

Rape

Receiving Stolen Property

Robbery

Theft

Timber Larceny

Unlawful Taking of a Motor Vehicle

Statutory Rape

Carjacking

Larceny under lease or rental agreement.

Voter Fraud

For many, the laws surrounding felony disenfranchisement in Mississippi can be confusing. The state enforces disenfranchisement for individuals convicted of certain crimes, which fall into 23 broad categories and cover around 100 different statutes.¹⁴ Importantly, a person is not disenfranchised unless convicted of one of these disenfranchising crimes, and a felony conviction in federal court or outside Mississippi will not remove a person’s right to vote in the state.¹⁵

Felony Disenfranchisement Across the United States

While Mississippi permanently disenfranchises individuals convicted of 23 felony crimes, laws governing felony voting rights vary significantly across the United States. Some states restore voting rights immediately after incarceration or upon release, while others impose lifetime bans. In Maine, Vermont, and Washington, D.C., individuals convicted of felonies have no restrictions Non their voting rights, allowing them to vote from prison.¹⁶ The remaining 48 states restrict voting rights for individuals with felony convictions in some form, with each state having its own rules and exceptions.¹⁷

In 23 states, individuals convicted of felonies may have their voting rights restored after serving their prison sentences. These states include: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, Virginia, and Washington.³¹

Additionally, in Louisiana, individuals convicted of felonies have their voting rights restored once they complete their prison sentence and parole.³² This practice is similar to 15 other states, including: Alaska, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. In these states, voting rights are restored once prison, parole, and probation are completed.³³

However, in states like Alabama, Arizona, Delaware, Florida, Iowa, Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Wyoming, individuals convicted of certain felonies may lose their voting rights permanently.³⁴

State Felony Disenfranchisement Restrictions in 2024

Felony Disenfranchisement: A Barrier to Voting and Racial Equity

Felony disenfranchisement significantly impacts the democratic process across the United States, with an estimated 4 million Americans currently ineligible to vote due to a felony conviction.¹⁴ This translates to roughly one out of every 59 adult citizens being disenfranchised.¹⁵

The impact on African Americans is disproportionately high. One in 22 African Americans who are eligible to vote are disenfranchised, compared to just 1 in 59 for the general population.¹⁸ African Americans are disenfranchised at a rate of 4.5%, while the disenfranchisement rate for non-African Americans is much lower at 1.3%.¹⁹ Additionally, the Sentencing Project conservatively estimates that over 495,000 Latino Americans—approximately 1.55% of the eligible voting population—are also disenfranchised.²⁰

In Mississippi, the issue is particularly important. There are 68,731 who cannot vote because of a felony conviction, and the impact is even greater among the state’s African American population. With about 37% of the state’s population identifying as Black, and a high percentage of Black eligible voters, felony disenfranchisement suppresses political participation within this group.²¹ Of the 68,731 disenfranchised voters in Mississippi, 43,744 are Black—more than the total number of students who attended historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in Mississippi in 2004.

This widespread disenfranchisement of Black voters (comprising 63% of those affected) significantly diminishes their political influence, leaving critical issues like education, healthcare, and criminal justice reform underrepresented. It also perpetuates historical racial inequalities, deepening economic challenges for disenfranchised individuals who often face additional barriers such as limited employment opportunities. Moreover, by denying individuals the opportunity to vote after serving their sentences, the system prolongs the punishment and contributes to recidivism, which is when someone who has been in jail or prison gets into trouble again and ends up back in jail or prison.

By silencing these voices, policymakers face less accountability, further marginalizing Black communities, and undermining the democratic process in Mississippi.

Restoring the Vote: Efforts to Address Felony Disenfranchisement

While felony disenfranchisement remains a significant issue in Mississippi and across the United States, the number of people disenfranchised due to a felony conviction has declined by 31% since 2016.²² This reduction is attributed to several factors, including policy changes enacted during the COVID-19 pandemic, state reforms to address disenfranchisement, and a decline in state prison, probation, and parole populations.²³

State reforms aimed at restoring voting rights vary widely.²⁵ Many involve legislative efforts to amend state statutes, while others include proposals to revise state constitutions through the initiative process, a method that allows citizens to propose new laws or amendments by gathering signatures to place the proposal on the ballot for voters to decide.²⁶ In some cases, states have introduced legislation to end felony disenfranchisement altogether.²⁷

Other reforms focus on when and how voting rights are restored. For instance, some states propose restoring voting rights immediately after incarceration.²⁸ Others would restore rights after individuals have completed their entire sentence, including post-incarceration release.²⁹ And certain proposals include contingencies, such as eliminating requirements to pay legal fines and fees before restoration or limiting disenfranchisement to only felony convictions.³⁰

These diverse approaches reflect the growing movement to reduce the impact of felony disenfranchisement and expand voting access to previously disenfranchised populations.

Pathways to Voting Rights in Mississippi: Barriers and Progress

Efforts to restore voting rights in Mississippi can be pursued through three primary avenues: a gubernatorial pardon, a Bill of Suffrage passed by the Mississippi State Legislature, or expungement of the felony conviction.

Pardon

Mississippi’s Constitution grants the governor the power to issue pardons to individuals who have completed their sentences, with exceptions for cases of treason or impeachment.³¹ However, pardons are rare and come with stringent requirements. For example, applicants must wait seven years after completing their sentence, including payment of all fines and restitution.³² They must also post a notice in a local newspaper 30 days before applying, explaining why clemency should be granted.³³

Since Governor Tate Reeves took office in 2020, no full pardons have been granted, continuing the trend set by his predecessor, Phil Bryant (2012-2020).³⁴ Comparatively, former Governor Haley Barbour (2004-2012) issued over 200 pardons, including for violent offenses, in a controversial decision at the end of his term.³⁵

Before the administrations of Bryant and Barbour, actions varied under previous Mississippi governors. Former Gov. Ronnie Musgrove (2000–2004) issued one unconditional pardon.³⁶ Kirk Fordice (1992–2000) granted 13 pardons.³⁷ Ray Mabus (1988–1992) pardoned five individuals.³⁸

Suffrage

The Mississippi Legislature can restore voting rights through a Bill of Suffrage, which requires a two-thirds majority to pass.³⁹ However, the process is ambiguous and subjective. The process begins with submitting a form to a state representative or senator, who can then introduce a billon the individual’s behalf. ²¹ The form includes details about the conviction and is forwarded to the Suffrage Committee under the Judiciary B Subcommittee. ²² Then, a legislative assistant submits the information to the Department of Corrections for a background check.²³ Next, the Chair of the Judiciary Committee determines which applicants will be considered, but no clear criteria exist to guide this selection process.²⁴ If an applicant is chosen, the bill must pass through the originating chamber (House or Senate), then through the other chamber, to restore the individual’s voting rights.²⁵ Throughout this process, there is a lack of transparency— applicants are not informed about whether their bills will be voted on, nor are they notified if their applications are denied.²⁶

From 1997 to 2024, only about 200 people have had their voting rights restored through this process.⁴⁰ However, during the 2024 legislative session, 21 suffrage bills were approved, a great win but a relatively rare occurrence.⁴¹

Expungement

Mississippi law allows individuals to seek expungement of certain non-violent felony convictions five years after completing their sentence, including payment of all fines and restitution.⁴²

This process, too, can be difficult to navigate. Attorneys typically prepare the motion for expungement, which the client must then file with the circuit clerk in the county where the case originated, along with a required filing fee of at least $150.43 For felony cases, the individual must deliver a stamped copy of the motion to the district attorney’s office.⁴⁴ After submitting the motion, the individual must frequently follow up with the clerk’s office to determine whether the judge has signed the expungement order.⁴⁵ Once signed, the order is forwarded to the Mississippi Department of Public Safety for processing.⁴⁶ This process can take several months to complete. While individuals have the option to file for expungement on their own, hiring an attorney can significantly increase the cost, with fees often reaching $1,500 or more.

Still, the process for restoring voting rights after a felony conviction in Mississippi remains unclear and inconsistent, and many crimes leading to disenfranchisement are still ineligible for expungement. Some local election officials consider expungements as restoring an individual’s voting rights, while others do not.⁴⁷ In an effort to resolve this, the Legislature passed a bill in 2022 to clarify that expungement should restore voting rights.⁴⁸ However, Governor Tate Reeves vetoed the bill, leaving the issue legally uncertain.⁴⁹

Legislative Reform

In March 2024, the Mississippi House of Representatives passed House Bill 1609, which aimed to allow individuals convicted of certain nonviolent felonies to automatically regain their voting rights either five years after conviction or five years after release from prison, whichever is later.⁵⁰ However, the bill died, as it failed to receive a committee vote in the state Senate.⁵¹ The bill would have maintained permanent disenfranchisement for individuals convicted of serious crimes, including arson, armed robbery, carjacking, embezzlement of $5,000 or more, murder, rape, statutory rape, and voter fraud.⁵² And the Legislature would still have had the authority to restore voting rights on a case-by-case basis.⁵³

Judicial Reform

Legal challenges to Mississippi’s felony disenfranchisement system have been repeatedly rejected by the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.⁵⁴ Most recently, in 2024, the court upheld the state’s lifetime voting ban for certain felony convictions, emphasizing that legislative, not judicial, action is required to change these laws.⁵⁵

Recommendations for Ending Felony Disenfranchisement in Mississippi

Ending felony disenfranchisement is crucial for equality, justice, and a stronger democracy in Mississippi. It disproportionately harms Black communities, deepening systemic racism and marginalization. Restoring voting rights affirms rehabilitation, empowers individuals, and strengthens democratic representation. Addressing this issue promotes fairness, inclusivity, and ensures every voice is heard. Mississippi can take significant steps to end felony disenfranchisement and restore voting rights through the following approaches:

Legislative Reform: Pass laws to automatically restore voting rights once individuals complete their sentences, including parole and probation. If automatic restoration is not enacted, lawmakers can simplify the process for regaining voting rights by eliminating unnecessary delays and burdensome requirements of the state’s suffrage procedure. This process could include:

Accepting applications for suffrage from a district representative to the Judiciary committees of both legislative houses.

Reviewing applications by Judiciary administrative staff, who would verify the following:
Identity verification through a driver’s license, photo ID, and Social Security number.
Verification of conviction(s) and completion of sentence/terms, including fines and restitution.
A one-page letter from the applicant detailing employment status, education, rehabilitation efforts, and proof of citizenship.
Up to three letters of support from an employer, family member, or community member.

Once the application documents are compiled, they will be submitted to Judiciary subcommittees for review. The subcommittees will provide recommendations to the full committee.

Applicants will be notified of the committee’s decision before the close of the Legislative session.

Constitutional Amendment: Amend the state constitution to eliminate disenfranchisement clauses for felony convictions, ensuring voting rights are not permanently stripped.

Judicial Action: Support legal challenges to current disenfranchisement laws, arguing they disproportionately impact marginalized groups and violate equal protection principles.

Community Engagement: One Voice is available to assist individuals seeking to restore their voting rights. If you or someone you know needs help, please contact 1-888-601-VOTE (8683).

Conclusion

Felony disenfranchisement remains a significant barrier to justice and equity in Mississippi, particularly for Black communities. The current system not only perpetuates systemic racism but also undermines the democratic process by silencing the voices of those who have paid their debt to society. Restoring voting rights is essential for fostering a more inclusive, fair, and representative democracy. By enacting legislative reforms, pursuing constitutional amendments, and supporting legal challenges, Mississippi can take meaningful steps toward addressing this issue. It is time to ensure that every individual has the opportunity to fully participate in shaping the future of the state.

Appendix: List of Disenfranchising Statutes

Mississippi Code	Statute
97-37-35(4)	Weapon, Stolen: Used in commission of other crime(s)
97-37-35(3)(c)	Weapon, Stolen: Possession, Sale, etc. – Two or more weapons
97-37-35(3)(b)	Weapon, Stolen: Possession, Sale, etc. – Second, etc., Trafficking
97-37-35(3)(a)	Weapon, Stolen: Possession, Sale, etc. – First offense
97-37-35	Weapon, Stolen: Possession, Sale, etc.
97-9-125(1)(a)	Tampering with physical evidence
97-3-65(1)(a)	Statutory rape; person >17 intercourse w/child
97-3-65(1)(b)	Statutory rape; perpetrator any age
97-3-65(3)(b)	Statutory rape 21 or older (Sentencing Statutes)
97-3-65(3)(c)	Statutory rape 18 or older (Sentencing Statutes)
97-3-65(3)(d)	Statutory rape >= 13 and < 18 (Sentencing Statutes)
97-23-94	Shoplifting – Aiding/Abetting Minor by Person >=18
97-3-73	Robbery: Taking Person Property by Fear/Violence (Indictment)
97-3-79	Robbery, Armed: Use of Deadly Weapon
97-3-75	Robbery (Penalty)
97-17-70	Receiving Stolen Property (Felony)
97-3-65(4)	Rape/Sexual Intercourse by use of Substance to Render Victim Helpless
97-3-71	Rape: Assault w/lntent to Ravish Female of Previous Chaste Character
97-3-67	Rape; Carnal Knowledge of Unmarried Person over 14, under 18
97-3-65(3)(a)	Rape, statutory: >=18 and < 21(Sentencing Statutes)
97-3-65	Rape, Statutory; Sexual Intercourse or Rape of Child under age of 16
97-21-35	Pleadings, process & other court papers, licenses, or written instruments
97-9-63	Perjury: Subornation (Procurement of Witness to Commit Perjury)
97-9-61	Perjury: Penalty
97-9-59	Perjury: Defined – Swear to/Testify Falsely Under Oath (Indictment)
97-3-21	Murder/Homicide/Capital Murder (Penalty)
97-3-19	Murder/Homicide/Capital Murder (Defined/lndictment)
97-3-19(3)	Murder/Capital Murder: indictment may include lesser included offense
97-3-19(1)(c)	Murder: During commission of other felony, without premeditation
97-3-19(1)(b)	Murder: During commission of dangerous act, without premeditation
97-3-19(1)(d)	Murder: Deliberate design to effect death of unborn child
97-3-19(1)(a)	Murder: Deliberate act to effect death
97-3-19(1)	Murder
97-17-64	Larceny: Under Lease/Rental Agreement
97-17-59	Larceny: Timber
97-17-53	Larceny: Livestock
97-17-42	Larceny, Grand: Vehicle of Another
97-17-41(1)	Larceny, Grand: of an Individual, Property Valued at $500 or more
97-17-41(2)	Larceny, Grand: of a church valued at $500 or more
97-3-37(1)	Homicide; killing of an unborn quick child
97-17-41	Grand Larceny
97-21-19	Forgery: Signature Purporting to be Agent/Officer of Corporation
97-21-23	Forgery: Possession of Counterfeit Printing Plates of Tender
97-21-37	Forgery: Possession of Counterfeit Bank Notes w/lntention to Utter
97-21-17	Forgery: Possession Counterfeit Gold/Silver Coins w/Intent to Utter
97-21-13	Forgery: Owning Counterfeit US Coins (Indictment)
97-21-15	Forgery: Owning Counterfeit Foreign Coinage (Indictment)
97-21-29	Forgery: Making/Uttering Instrument in Own name as Act of Another
97-21-7	Forgery: False Certification of Instrument or Conveyance
97-21-3	Forgery: Failure of Corporate Officer to Maintain Accurate Accounts
97-21-9	Forgery: Counterfeit/Altered Stock Certificates, Security (Indictment)
97-21-33	Forgery – Penalty (Sentence)
97-23-93 (6) and (7)	Felony Shoplifting
97-19-49	False Pretenses: Registering Animal Falsely; Giving False Pedigree
97-19-45	False Pretenses: Produce Child with Intent to Intercept Inheritance
97-19-39	False Pretenses: Procure Thing of Value by Fraudulent Representation
97-19-51	False Pretenses: Obtain/Deliver Goods Previously Encumbered (Indict.)
97-19-41	False Pretenses: Fraudulent Representation of Evidence of Debt
97-3-82(3)(b)	Extortion: of Property of another valued at $500 or more
97-11-33	Extortion: Collection of Fees for Unrendered Services (felony)
97-23-25	Embezzlement: Money on Deposit; Property in Trust/Received on Contract
97-11-29	Embezzlement: Fraudulent Accounting by Public Officer (Penalty)
97-11-25	Embezzlement: Entrusted Public Property/Funds Converted for Own Use
97-11-31	Embezzlement or Fraud Committed by Public Official (Penalty)
97-23-19	Embezzlement by Agent/Officer/Trustee of Company or Private Individual
97-13-1	Elections: Bribery of Elector or Election Officer
97-21-49	Counterfeit/Forged Documents: Sale/Exchange Guilty of Forgery
97-3-117(1)	Carjacking: Taking Vehicle from One’s Possession by Force
97-3-117(2)	Carjacking, Armed: Taking Vehicle by Use of Weapon
97-3-117	Carjacking
97-3-19(2)(e)	Capital Murder: with or without design in commission of other felony
97-3-19(2)(f)	Capital Murder: while engaged in felonious abuse/batter of a child
97-3-19(2)(g)	Capital Murder: on educational property
97-3-19(2)(h)	Capital Murder: of elected official
97-3-19(2)(c)	Capital Murder: by use or detonation of explosive device
97-3-19(2)(b)	Capital Murder: by individual under sentence of life imprisonment
97-3-19(2)(d)	Capital Murder: by contract
97-3-19(2)(a)	Capital Murder of a Peace Officer
97-3-19(2)	Capital Murder
97-7-53	Bribery/Influencing: Legislator
97-9-7	Bribery: Rewarded to Compound/Conceal Crime w/Life/Death Penalty
97-9-9	Bribery: Rewarded to Compound/Conceal Crime w/Less than Life Penalty
97-29-17	Bribery: Participant in Professional/Amateur Game or Athletic Contest
97-7-55	Bribery: Legislator Accepting/Agreeing to Accept
97-11-13	Bribery: Acceptance by Officer, Agent, Trustee
97-9-5	Bribery, Juror: Accept Referee/Offer to Influence Outcome
97-9-10	Bribery, Commercial: Give/Offer/Accept Value to Influence Action
97-9-65	Bribery of Witness to Commit Perjury
97-11-11	Bribery of Acting or Prospective Officer, Trustee, Agent
97-29-13	Bigamy
97-19-55	Bad Checks: Fraudulently Deliver Insufficient Instrument (Indictment)
97-19-59	Bad Checks: Penalties (Sentence)
97-19-57	Bad Checks: Evidence/Presumption of fraudulent intent (Indictment)
97-19-67	Bad Checks electronic commercial debit
97-17-9	Arson: Attempt, Aid or Induce to Burn (4th Degree)
97-17-13	Arson – Timber, Woods, Meadow, Marsh
97-17-5	Arson – Structure, Not Dwelling or School
97-17-7	Arson – Personal Property
97-17-11	Arson – Insured Property
97-17-1	Arson – Dwelling or Outbuilding
97-17-3	Arson – Church/School Building (State-Supported)

End Notes

¹Uggen, Christopher, et al. “Locked Out 2024: Four Million Denied Voting Rights Due to a Felony Conviction.” The Sentencing Project, 10 Oct. 2024, https://www.sentencingproject.org/reports/locked-out-2024-four million-denied-voting-rights-due-to-a-felony-conviction/.
²Id.
³Mitchell, Jerry. “On this day in 1890.” Mississippi Today, 1 Nov. 2023, https://mississippitoday.org/2023/11/01/on-this-day-in-1890-mississippi-adopted-new-constitution/.
⁴ Pittman, Ashton. “A Wrong Never Righted’: Court Upholds Mississippi’s 1890 Jim Crow Voting Law.” Mississippi Free Press, 24 Aug. 2022, https://www.mississippifreepress.org/a-wrong-never-righted-court upholds-mississippis-1890-jim-crow-voting-law/.
⁵Berry, Patrick. “Court Strikes Down Mississippi’s Lifetime Felony Voting Ban.” Brennan Center for Justice, 18 Aug. 2023, last updated 18 July 2024, https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/court-strikes-down-mississippis-lifetime-felony-voting-ban.
⁶ Id.
⁷ “On this day in 1890.”
⁸ Id.
⁹Id.
¹⁰Id.
¹¹“A Wrong Never Righted’: Court Upholds Mississippi’s 1890 Jim Crow Voting Law.”
¹² ”Mississippi Voter Right Registration Fact Sheet.” Southern Poverty Law Center, Apr. 2022, https://www.splcenter.org/sites/default/files/leg_vr_voter_registration_processes_and_summaries ms_apr_2022.pdf.
¹³ Id.
¹⁴ Bedillion, Caleb. “Who Can and Can’t Vote in Mississippi: A Guide to the State’s Lifetime Voting Ban.” The Marshall Project, 24 July 2024, https://www.themarshallproject.org/2024/03/25/mississippi-voting-rights ban-felony-conviction#conviction.
¹⁵Id.
¹⁶ “Locked Out 2024: Four Million Denied Voting Rights Due to a Felony Conviction.”
¹⁷ Id.
¹⁸Id.
¹⁹Id.
²⁰Id.
^²¹”QuickFacts: Mississippi.” United States Census Bureau, https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/MS/RHI225223
²² ”“Locked Out 2024: Four Million Denied Voting Rights Due to a Felony Conviction.”
²³Id.
²⁴Id.
²⁵ Sullivan, Caroline. “Nearly 70 Bills Introduced To Restore Voting Rights After Felony Conviction.” Democracy Docket, 23 Feb. 2023, https://www.democracydocket.com/analysis/nearly-70-bills-introduced to-restore-voting-rights-after-felony-conviction/
²⁶Id.
²⁷Id.
²⁸ Id.
²⁹Id.
³⁰Id.
³¹ McLaughlin, Grant. “Can the Mississippi Governor Issue Pardons? That Answer and More in This Week in Politics.” Clarion Ledger, updated 8 Dec. 2024, https://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/politics/2024/12/08/state-politics-ms-governors-can-issue pardons-plus-other-updates/76800280007/
³² “Restoration of Rights Project.” Collateral Consequences Resource Center, https://ccresourcecenter.org/state-restoration-profiles/mississippi-restoration-of-rights-pardon-expungement-sealing-2/
³³ Id.
³⁴“Can the Mississippi Governor Issue Pardons? That Answer and More in This Week in Politics.”
³⁵ Id.
³⁶ Id.
³⁷ Id.
³⁸ Id.
³⁹ “Who Can and Can’t Vote in Mississippi: A Guide to the State’s Lifetime Voting Ban.”
⁴⁰ Id.
⁴¹ McLaughlin, Grant. “Mississippi Legislature Approves 21 Suffrage Bills in 2024 Session.” Mississippi Clarion Ledger, 9 May 2024, https://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/politics/2024/05/09/mississippi-legislature-restores-voting-rights-to-21-people/73611835007/.
⁴² “Restoration of Rights Project.”
⁴³ Crown, Kayode. “Advocates Push For Automated Criminal-Record Expungement in Mississippi.” Mississippi Free Press, 15 Dec. 2022, https://www.mississippifreepress.org/advocates-push-for-automated criminal-record-expungement-in-mississippi/.
⁴⁴ Id.
⁴⁵ Id.
⁴⁶ Id.
⁴⁷ “Who Can and Can’t Vote in Mississippi: A Guide to the State’s Lifetime Voting Ban.”
⁴⁸ Id.
⁴⁹ Id.
⁵⁰ Id.
⁵¹ Id.
⁵² Id.
⁵³ Id.
⁵⁴ Id.
⁵⁵ Hill, Crystal. “5th Circuit Upholds Miss. Jim-Crow Era Lifetime Voting Ban for Some Individuals Post Sentence.” Democracy Docket, 18 July 2024, https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/5th-circuit-upholds-jim-crow-era-lifetime-voting-ban-for-some-individuals-post-sentence/.