MN House to vote on restoring voting rights for felons who have completed their prison terms

Restoring voting rights to felons who have served their prison time — one of Democrats’ signature initiatives for the 2023 legislative session — is up for debate and a vote this afternoon (330pm start) in the Minnesota House.  The bill cleared its final committee Monday, chief author Cedrick Frazier from New Hope contending…

“Individuals that are back in their communities, individuals that are working jobs, that are paying taxes, helping take care of their families — as we’ve already deemed them safe to be back in the community, the one thing they’re missing (is) to fully participate in our electoral process.”

But Waconia Republican Jim Nash argued voting rights shouldn’t be restored until the offender’s probation is finished:

“Perhaps I’m a little old-fashioned — many have accused me of such — but I do believe that looking at the reform of the probation length would a better way to do this.”

Democratic Attorney General Keith Ellison is actively supporting the bill to restore voting rights after an offender has completed prison time.