ACLU-MN lawsuit seeks to restore voting rights for felons

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The American Civil Liberties Union has sued the state of Minnesota to restore the voting rights of convicted felons who are on supervised release or probation.

The group’s Minnesota chapter says the lawsuit filed Monday in Ramsey County District Court would affect more than 52,000 people who live and work in their communities, raise families and pay taxes but can’t vote.

The lawsuit alleges violations of due process and equal protection rights under the Minnesota Constitution. It says the current system ignores the impacts of racial disparities in the criminal justice system.

Efforts to restore voting rights for convicted felons who’ve completed their prison time failed in the 2019 legislative session.

The lawsuit names Secretary of State Steve Simon, who supports restoring voting rights for felons when they’re released.