End Felony Disenfranchisement and Restore the Right to Vote

Authors

Anna Lahr, Minnesota State University, Mankato
Hannah Van Otterloo, Minnesota State University, Mankato
Nichole Smith, Minnesota State University, Mankato
Taylor Ernste, Minnesota State University, Mankato

Author Affiliation

Department of Social Work, Minnesota State University, Mankato

Document Type

Policy Advocacy Brief

Publication Date

3-2023

Issue Statement/Executive Summary

In Minnesota, felony disenfranchisement is the withdrawal of voting rights of individuals with a criminal offense through incarceration, probation, parole, or supervised release. Current felony disenfranchisement laws prohibit roughly 55,000 Minnesotans' right to vote long after their release from incarceration. This law specifically suppresses Minnesotans of color, vulnerable populations, and low-income communities. Promptly restoring the right to vote for individuals with felony convictions upon release from imprisonment will promote equality in voter representation for actively contributing members of society.

Department

Social Work

Recommended Citation

Lahr, A., Van Otterloo, H., Smith, N., & Ernste, T. (2023). End felony disenfranchisement and restore the right to vote. MSW Program Policy Advocacy Briefs, Minnesota State University, Mankato. https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/msw-student-policy-advocacy-briefs/48