NEWS RELEASE
Rep. Liz Lee
Minnesota House of Representatives
District 67A – 651-296-4277 – rep.liz.lee@house.mn.gov
539 State Office Building, St. Paul, MN 55155
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Marlee Schlegel
651-296-9873 or marlee.schlegel@house.mn.gov
February 2, 2023
Rep. Liz Lee votes to pass HF 28, the “Restore the Vote” Act
SAINT PAUL, Minn. - Tonight, the Minnesota House of Representatives voted to pass HF 28, known as the “Restore the Vote” Act, off the House floor. The bill would restore voting rights to individuals convicted of a felony upon completion of any incarceration imposed and executed by a court for the offense. Rep. Liz Lee (DFL – Saint Paul) is a co-author on the bill and voted to support it.
“As a country that holds accountable those who commit serious crimes, we also do not believe in double jeopardy. I vote for HF 28 because in our multiracial democracy, we must protect the sacred right to vote for everyone. This is especially important when our carceral system has such a disparate impact on our communities of color,” said Rep. Lee.
“We must do everything we can to support members of our community as they reintegrate into society. The data shows us that when members of the re-entry community have community support, including having voting rights restored, they are more likely to be engaged in their community and less likely to re-offend. Passing this bill is a key part in dismantling our expensive and detrimental incarceration system.”
In the Senate, the bill is making its way through committee hearings.
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