Improving Reentry: Restore the Vote (2016)

Intro: Unlike many other states, Minnesota does not allow people convicted of a felony to vote while on probation or parole. Currently there are approximately 57,000 Minnesotans unable to vote due to a felony conviction, about 1.5 percent of the voting age population. About 47,000 live in communities across Minnesota while on probation or supervised release. Of these, more than half (64 percent) live in communities outside of Hennepin and Ramsey Counties. Voting disenfranchisement has a strong racial bias, disproportionately affecting 7.7 percent of African American and 5.9 percent of American Indian Minnesotans, compared to 1.1 percent of White Minnesotans. The position of the Joint Religious Legislative Coalition is that Minnesota should change its rule to allow felony offenders to vote once they are released from incarceration. As outlined in detail in this document, we believe this policy change could foster civic participation, combat racial disparities in our criminal justice system, and promote public safety.

Download/Read our full "Improving Reentry: Restore the Vote" policy paper.