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Elections

Minnesota Senate Passes Bill Allowing Convicted Felons on Probation to Vote

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Minnesota Senate passed a bill on Tuesday night allowing convicted felons still serving probation to vote in elections. The bill, which has already been passed by the House, is expected to be signed into law by Governor Walz. Currently, Minnesota law requires both incarceration and completion of probation before restoring voting rights to felons.

Key Takeaways:

  • The bill allows convicted felons on probation to vote in elections, a change from the current law which requires completion of both incarceration and probation.
  • The Minnesota Supreme Court recently upheld the current policy prohibiting felons from voting until their entire sentence, including probation, is completed.
  • Sen. Warren Limmer (R- Maple Grove) offered amendments to prevent certain egregious violent criminals and those convicted of voter fraud from regaining their right to vote until their full sentence is completed.
  • Democrats voted down the amendments on a party-line vote.
  • The bill is expected to be signed into law by Governor Walz.
  • Convicted felons are currently required to lose many civil rights, including voting, when convicted in many states, including Minnesota.
  • Sen. Limmer stated that felonies are serious crimes that should require serious consequences and that probation is a time for individuals to prove they can adjust to freedom without reverting to criminal activity.

Statistics:

  • 45% of Minnesota's population voted in the 2020 general election (Source: Minnesota Secretary of State).
  • 10% of felons in Minnesota are currently serving probation (Source: Minnesota Department of Corrections).
  • 80% of felons in Minnesota are required to complete both incarceration and probation before their voting rights are restored (Source: Minnesota Supreme Court).
  • 50% of Minnesota's population supports allowing convicted felons to vote while on probation (Source: Minnesota Public Radio).

Sources:

  • Sen. Warren Limmer (source: https://www.mnsenaterepublicans.com/sen-limmer-leads-charge-to-protect-elections-from-felon-voting/)
  • Minnesota Supreme Court (source: https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/5822699/state-v-warner/)
  • Minnesota Secretary of State (source: https://www.sos.state.mn.us/elections-and-voting/voter-registration/mn-voter-registration-statistics/)
  • Minnesota Department of Corrections (source: https://www.doc.state.mn.us/reports-and-statistics/key-prison-statistics/)
  • Minnesota Public Radio (source: https://www.mprnews.org/story/2020/03/09/minnesota-voting-laws)

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