MN Dems Say Judge Was Wrong To Ban 2 Felons From Voting

ST. PAUL, MN — Minnesota Democrats are speaking out against a judge who banned people from voting this fall due to their probation resulting from a felony conviction.

Last week, a judge in Mille Lacs County sentenced two people to probation, but no prison time was given.

Yet Judge Matthew Quinn still ordered that the defendants — April Weyaus and Emilio Trevino — be barred from voting in this fall's election.

Weyaus was convicted of a drug offense and Trevino of a weapons violation.

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison argues the judge's order violates a new state law — "Restore the Vote Act" — that restored voting rights to felons when they complete their prison time.

The law also says felons who are not sentenced to prison at all, only probation, should keep their right to vote.

"Last week’s orders, issued by one judge in one of Minnesota’s 87 counties, fly in the face of the Minnesota Supreme Court’s ruling earlier this year that deferred the decision on voting rights to the legislature," Ellison and Secretary of State Steve Simon said in a joint statement.

"We believe the judge’s orders are not lawful and we will oppose them. The orders have no statewide impact, and should not create fear, uncertainty, or doubt. In Minnesota, if you are over 18, a U.S. citizen, a resident of Minnesota for at least 20 days, and not currently incarcerated, you are eligible to vote. Period. It is critically important that everyone whose rights were restored understands that they are welcome in our democracy."

Under the "Restore the Vote Act," a person with a felony conviction "has the civil right to vote restored during any period when the individual is not incarcerated for the offense."