MinnPost: In special session, restore voting rights to ex-offenders in Minnesota

(June 3, 2015, MinnPost, Jason Adkins and Charles Samuelson)

This summer marks the 50th anniversary of the passage of the Voting Rights Act. When Congress passed this landmark legislation in 1965 all members of Minnesota’s delegation, which included both Democrats and Republicans, voted for it. That fact speaks strongly to Minnesota’s value of supporting a strong, engaged and fair electorate — a value that transcends party lines.

Minnesota leaders in both parties now have a chance to show that they can come together and uphold this ideal, by passing voting rights restoration during the upcoming special session of the Minnesota Legislature.

Promotes public safety and community engagement

This legislation would restore the vote to approximately 47,000 Minnesotans who live in our communities but still cannot vote because of a prior felony conviction. It has strong bipartisan authorship and support, and a diverse statewide coalition of more than 70 organizations, including public safety organizations, service providers, faith communities, and community engagement groups, among others.

The Restore the Vote coalition believes that once we decide as a community that it is in the public’s best interest for an ex-offender to be living and working in the community and rebuilding his or her life, there is no good reason why that person should not have a voice in our democracy. When people have the opportunity to vote, they feel as though they are a part of their communities, and have a true stake in society.

As many ex-offenders can attest, the opportunity for positive civic engagement removes one more barrier to re-entering society. Research also shows that such opportunities may reduce recidivism and foster increased civic participation in children of felon offenders.

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