A professor of public law says it is no surprise the High Court has upheld a ban on prisoners voting, because the judge would have had to overturn parliamentary supremacy to remove it.
The law was changed in 2010 law to prevent anyone serving a prison sentence from voting.
Arthur Taylor and six other inmates challenged that in court, but yesterday Justice Ellis dismissed the case.
Andrew Geddis of Otago University said the ruling is predictable.
He said Justice Ellis spent 16 paragraphs criticising the law, but ultimately had little power to overturn parliamentary rule.
Mr Geddis said he doubts whether an appeal would be successful.
