The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed a lawsuit against the Minnesota Secretary of State alleging its policy to restrict voting for felons who are on probation is unconstitutional.
The lawsuit was filed in Ramsey County District Court in October, alleging that both due process violations and equal protection violations. There are four named plaintiffs in the lawsuit, all of whom have felony convictions and are currently barred from voting until they are no longer on probation.
According to a news release by the ACLU, there is no "legitimate or rational government interest" that is served by not allowing felons on probation to vote, attorney David McKinney said.
Another attorney, Craig Coleman, said in the news release that the restrictions were unfounded, according to the Center Square.
“Denying someone the right to vote should never be used as the means of punishment, but rather means for reintegration,” McKinney said.
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