The Minnesota Senate tonight approved SF26, a bill to allow individuals convicted of a crime and sentenced to incarceration and probation the right to vote before they have completed their sentence. 

“I fully support restoring an individual’s right to vote upon the completion of their sentence, including incarceration and supervised release,” Sen. Carla Nelson (R-Rochester) said. “About 95% of prisoners are released and in Minnesota, 25% relapse and commit additional crimes. Helping released offenders reintegrate into society so they do not relapse is challenging, important, and worthwhile work that I hold near and dear to my heart. I have a long history of working with ex-offenders as they reenter society, and I have been a director on the award-winning Rochester Network for Reentry board and Next Chapter Ministries. I am proud of the many men and women who have turned their lives around and have successfully reintegrated into society. I am hopeful for even more successful reentries with each passing week, month, and year.”

Current state law does not allow restoration of a felon’s right to vote until they complete their entire sentence, including probation, parole, or other supervised release terms. With the recent cap of five years maximum probation, it is extreme to remove the requirement that the sentence be completed.