Ivory Moore has not been able to vote for almost 25 years. After a third shoplifting offense around 2000, his voting rights were permanently revoked.

“I didn’t think that was fair to never be able to vote again,” said 62-year-old Moore, a contractor from Greenville.

In Mississippi, a third shoplifting violation is a felony categorized under Mississippi law to deem a resident permanently ineligible to vote. Because of it, he is left out of a major exercise with his family and friends, which left him feeling unworthy of being a productive citizen.

“I want to be able to vote in all elections,” Moore said. “I’ve been watching my family members go. I want to take part in this. And (now that my rights have been restored) I can encourage those that are able to vote and won’t vote. I can encourage them to go along with me.”

For the last seven years, Moore has been trying to get his rights restored, and with the help of One Voice and other partners, the governor approved the restoration of his suffrage rights during this last legislative session.

“This is a step toward more things to come about,” said Moore. “I was counting on it. Now that my rights have been restored it will hopefully open other opportunities that will now be available to me.”