Fifth Circuit Strikes Down Mississippi Ban on Ex-Felon Voting on Eighth Amendment Grounds

On August 4, the Fifth Circuit struck down Mississippi’s ban on ex-felon voter registration. The basis is the Eighth Amendment, which says, “Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.”

Here is the decision in Hopkins v Hosemann, 19-60662. The vote was 2-1.

Petition Signatures for Rhode Island Lt. Gov. Who is Running for US House are Questioned

The campaign of Rhode Island Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos, who is a candidate in the Democratic Party Primary for US House, 1st District, Rhode Island, on Tue, Sept 5:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023_Rhode_Island%27s_1st_congressional_district_special_election

has been accused of gathering fraudulent signatures. Here is a story on this matter. Ms. Matos has blamed an outside signature “vendor” for submitting bad signatures and has said that she will not withdraw from the race.

I am not sure why a major party candidate would need a signature vendor, as the signature requirement for US House elections in Rhode Island is 500 signatures within a district.