Now inmates can vote from this Sin City jail

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Both former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden’s son, Hunter, face sentencing for nonviolent felonies before Election Day.

Although it seems unlikely either will be behind bars on November 5, it’s worth noting that how and whether felons and people otherwise detained can cast election ballots has developed into a major civil rights issue in recent years.

The rules for how felons, inmates and those facing trial can cast ballots vary from state to state, and a number of recently enacted laws and ballot initiatives will change things further in 2024.

In California, where Hunter Biden lives, for instance, only people who are serving time in prison are ineligible to vote, according to a database maintained by the American Civil Liberties Union. In Delaware, where he was convicted in federal court, there are more restrictions on felons voting. In Florida, where Trump lives, there are more restrictions on felons voting than in New York, where Trump was convicted in state court.

There are only a few places – Vermont, Maine and the District of Colombia – where everyone can vote, even if they’re convicted felons serving time in prison. Everywhere else in the US places prohibitions on incarcerated felons, and some states include other prohibitions.

CNN’s Sara Murray and Kimberly Berryman traveled to Nevada, where Tuesday was primary day and, for the first time, people who are detained, for a variety of reasons, were able to vote despite their incarceration. They met inmates casting ballots for the first time in their lives.

Watch their full report.

Nevada’s state government gave felons