In the case of Coleman v. Johnson, the legal dispute centered around the issue of whether a state could impose restrictions on the voting rights of individuals with felony convictions. The case highlighted the balance between state interests in regulating elections and the rights of citizens to participate in the democratic process. The court ultimately ruled that the restrictions placed on Coleman were unconstitutional, affirming the principle that voting is a fundamental right. This decision set a precedent for future cases regarding voting rights and the treatment of individuals with criminal records in the context of elections.