The Mississippi House voted Thursday to restore voting rights to a former elected official who was convicted of embezzlement.

Former George County chancery clerk Ricky Churchwell pleaded guilty in May 2003 to 15 counts of embezzling county money. By September of that year, $148,000 was repaid to the county. Churchwell paid $48,000 and his bonding company paid $100,000.

Circuit Judge Richard W. McKenzie sentenced Churchwell to two years on each count to run at the same time, with one year to be served under house arrest and one on probation. The judge also ordered the repayment of the money.

The bill that would restore Churchwell's suffrage says the former clerk has completed his sentence. The bill passed the House 82-34 and moves to the Senate.