Crime & Safety

MN Secretary Of State Wants To Restore Voting Rights For Felons

"We have a law that says a person is safe enough to live in our community, but still too dangerous to be a voter," the secretary said.

MINNESOTA — As part of his "Investing in Democracy" agenda, Secretary of State Steve Simon announced plans this week to restore voting rights to convicted felons who have already served their time in prison.

In Minnesota, a felon who has left prison is still ineligible to vote while on parole or on probation.

"We have a law that says a person is safe enough to live in our community, but still too dangerous to be a voter," Simon said in a statement.

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"That’s ridiculous. Shutting out those who have already done their time does not make us safer. Investing in democracy means investing in Minnesotans working to rebuild their lives to ensure they have a voice in their community."

According to his office, approximately 60,000 Minnesotans are currently barred from voting because they have been convicted of a felony and have not had their rights restored.

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Simon hopes to make Minnesota the 17th state in the nation in which voting rights are restored once a felon is released from prison, but he'll need lawmakers in the Minnesota House and Senate to back his proposal.

Photo: Renee Schiavone/Patch

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