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A judge says a North Carolina law that makes it a serious crime for someone to vote while still on probation or parole for a felony conviction shouldn't be thrown out.

The Republican-majority Supreme Court in North Carolina heard arguments Thursday over restoring voting rights for those convicted of felonies.

North Carolina’s newly seated Supreme Court heard arguments Thursday on whether people convicted of felonies — tens of thousands statewide — should be permitted to vote if they aren’t in prison but still are serving probation or parole or have yet to pay fines.

The change comes following an appeals court ruling. The State Board of Elections said the expanded scope of who can register and vote begins Wednesday. A law meant to prevent felons from having voting rights restored while they are on probation, parole or post-release supervision is before the state Supreme Court.

The ruling stems from a March 28 order by trial judges that struck down a nearly 50-year-old state law that prevents someone convicted of a felony from having voting rights restored while they are still on probation, parole or post-release supervision.

The order from the Court of Appeals tells the State Board of Elections to not act on felon voter registration applications until further notice.

The judges' decision expands on a preliminary injunction issued last August in a trial challenging a state law that delays the restoration of voting rights for some offenders who aren’t serving prison or jail time.

A North Carolina appeals court on Friday blocked an order that had allowed tens of thousands of felony offenders who aren't serving prison or jail time to immediately register to vote and cast ballots.

A state trial began Monday in a lawsuit challenging when voting rights are restored for convicted felons in North Carolina.

Lawmakers in the state House have until the end of the day to file any bills they have not yet submitted. Hundreds of proposals are already up for debate…