Can Mississippi strip felons, including tree thieves, of voting rights? Federal judges hear the case

By KEVIN McGILL
Associated Press

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — More than a dozen federal appellate judges have heard arguments on whether Mississippi can continue to permanently strip voting rights from people convicted of certain felonies. The outcome of the case at the center of Tuesday’s hearing in New Orleans will likely determine whether tens of thousands of people win back the right to vote. An immediate ruling is not expected. The felonies covered include nonviolent crimes for which people have served a complete sentence. A three-judge appellate panel deemed the lifetime voting ban to be unconstitutional “cruel and unusual punishment.” But the full court vacated that ruling and scheduled Tuesday’s hearing.