New law says Minnesotans can cast a ballot if not behind bars

The right to vote has been restored to individuals convicted of a felony once they are released from incarceration, rather than their completion of a sentence, including probation.

Rep. Cedrick Frazier (DFL-New Hope) and Senate President Bobby Joe Champion (DFL-Mpls) sponsor a law that proponents estimate will affect more than 50,000 Minnesotans. A person who violates release requirements and returns to imprisonment will again lose their right to vote until being released from custody. The law mostly takes effect June 1, 2023.

Written notice of the civil right to vote and a voter registration application must be provided to individuals upon their release from incarceration.

Effective March 4, 2023, the Office of the Secretary of State is provided $14,000 from the General Fund in fiscal year 2023 to cover implementation costs.

HF28*/SF26/CH12

HF0028* / SF0026 / CH12