Federal Judge Overturns North Carolina Felon Voting Law

The law, deemed racially biased and unconstitutional, was originally enacted in 1877 and has disproportionately affected Black voters.

U.S. District Judge Loretta Biggs ruled the North Carolina law criminalizing voting by felons as unconstitutional, citing its discriminatory origins and impact.
The law, passed in 1877, was criticized for not being updated significantly despite societal changes and continued to target Black voters disproportionately.
Despite amendments in recent years, the law was struck down for its vague standards and potential for arbitrary enforcement by district attorneys.
The ruling could influence upcoming elections and voter registration efforts, particularly among Black communities historically affected by the law.
Legal representatives for the state argued the law was 'cleansed' of bias by a 1970s constitutional amendment, but the judge disagreed, maintaining the law's discriminatory nature.