Minnesota Supreme Court upholds the Restore The Vote Act

(KNOX) – In a unanimous decision, the Minnesota Supreme Court dismissed a lawsuit challenging the Restore the Vote Act, which restored voting rights to about 55,000 people. As a result of the decision, the Act remains the law. People who are living in the community serving a felony sentence while on probation, supervised release, or parole have the right to vote.

Early voting for Minnesota’s August 13 primary elections is already underway, and early voting for the November 5 general election begins September 20.

Until 2023, Minnesota law required those convicted of a felony to complete their sentence before automatically regaining the right to vote, even if they were living in their communities (on parole or in another similar program).

In a 2023 case, the Minnesota Supreme Court recognized the legislature’s broad authority to restore voting rights. Just weeks after that decision, the Minnesota Legislature enacted the Restore the Vote Act, which automatically restores voting rights when a person is released into the community, even if the sentence is not complete.