Minnesota Supreme Court Affirms Law Granting Voting Rights to Individuals with Felony Convictions

The Minnesota Supreme Court has upheld a 2023 state law that allows individuals with felony convictions to restore their voting rights once they have served their prison sentences. This law, backed by Democrats including Governor Tim Walz, also the running mate of Vice President Kamala Harris, was recently affirmed by the high court.

The decision is significant as early voting for the upcoming primary election is already in progress, with voting for the general election starting on September 20. The court dismissed a challenge from the conservative group, Minnesota Voters Alliance, which argued that the Legislature exceeded its authority by expanding voting rights for former felons.

Before this law, felons in Minnesota had to complete their probation before being eligible to vote. Approximately 55,000 individuals with felony records are now able to vote following the enactment of this law. Minnesota’s Democratic Attorney General, Keith Ellison, has long advocated for this change to restore voting rights.

The push to restore voting rights for individuals with felony convictions has gained momentum in various states, including Minnesota. Supporters argue that denying them the right to vote disproportionately affects people of color due to biases in the legal system. Nebraska, however, took a different approach last month by deciding that residents with felony convictions could still be denied voting rights, despite a recent law meant to immediately restore these rights post-release from prison. This decision by Nebraska’s Republican Attorney General and Secretary of State is facing a legal challenge.