MN Legislature Passes Bill Restoring Voting Rights To 55K Felons

ST. PAUL, MN — Approximately 55,000 people who were convicted of felonies will have their voting rights restored under a bill that passed the Minnesota Legislature on Wednesday.

Senate File 26 was approved by a vote of 35-30 and now heads to the desk of Gov. Tim Walz, who is expected to sign it. The measure gives convicted felons the right to vote as soon as they're out of prison but before their probationary period is complete.

"This is a huge win for democracy and a testament to the power of grassroots activism and civic engagement," said Democratic-Farmer-Labor Chairman Ken Martin in a statement.

"We believe that every Minnesotan, including those who have served their time and are reintegrating back into our communities, has the right to participate in our democratic process."

Under current Minnesota law, voting rights are not restored until a felon serves out not only their prison sentence, but also their parole, probation, or another form of supervised release.

"We know that in the state of Minnesota right now we have more than 55,000 of our friends, our neighbors and family members who are not allowed to vote. They should have the right to vote," Senate President Bobby Joe Champion of Minneapolis told his fellow lawmakers.

"When individuals are connected to their communities and participating in pro-social activities, recidivism goes down, and the decision to do something to reoffend goes down as well."

Republicans said that felons should now regain their civil rights until their entire sentence is complete, especially those that committee violent crimes.

"There are some offenders that have committed heinous crimes against innocent citizens. I don’t think the Senate understands that," argued Sen. Warren Limmer of Maple Grove.

"Because this bill treats it as a one-size-fits all — all criminals get the same treatment."

Reporting from the Associated Press was used in this story.