Court Overturns Mississippi's Voting Ban For Former Felons As 'Cruel And Unusual' Punishment

Federal appeals court rules Mississippi's lifetime voting ban for felons is unconstitutional.
Decision affects around 30,000 Mississippians who completed sentences for 22 disenfranchising felonies.
Court says ban serves no legitimate purpose and was adopted in 1890 to limit rights of Black residents.
Ruling follows trend away from permanent disenfranchisement laws in most states.
Plaintiffs argued lifetime voting ban was cruel punishment for felons who served their sentences.