Minnesota Voting Rights Restoration Challenge 

Lawsuit filed on behalf of the Minnesota Voters Alliance — a conservative group — and three Minnesota residents challenging House File 28 and House File 1830, a set of recently enacted laws that restore voting rights to over 50,000 Minnesotans on parole, probation or community release due to a felony conviction. The plaintiffs allege that under the Minnesota Constitution, individuals convicted of a felony may not vote “unless restored to civil rights.” According to the plaintiffs, “[a] person on supervised release, probation, or work release because of a felony conviction has not been restored to civil rights.” In turn, the plaintiffs assert that H.F. 28 and H.F. 1830 contravene the Minnesota Constitution since they allow individuals with felony convictions to have their voting rights restored immediately after release from incarceration without having their full civil rights restored. Under the plaintiffs reasoning, individuals’ voting rights may only be restored after the completion of an entire sentence — including parole, probation or community release. The plaintiffs request that the court block the enforcement of H.F. 28 and H.F. 1830 and declare them in violation of the Minnesota Constitution. On Dec. 13, 2023, the judge dismissed the lawsuit. On Dec. 20, the plaintiffs appealed the decision to the Minnesota Court of Appeals. On Jan. 16, 2024, the Minnesota Supreme Court agreed to take over the appeal, allowing the plaintiffs to bypass the court of appeals. Oral argument was held on April 1, 2024. On Aug. 7, 2024, the court upheld the district court’s dismissal.

RESULT: On Aug. 7, 2024, the Minnesota Supreme Court affirmed the district court’s dismissal of the case. Minnesotans on parole, probation or community release for a felony conviction will be allowed to vote in the 2024 election.

Last updated: August 7, 2024 12:01 pm EST