Raised arm amid cheers. Antonio Williams, who spent 14 years in prison for murder, was the first ex-felon to register under a new Minnesota suffrage law. Behind Williams, embraced by her husband, is Jennifer Schroeder, who would have been 72 years old until her 40-year probation expired. She too can vote now. In the gray suit is state elections chief Steve Simon. who congratulated them both and dozens of others
Purple and white T-shirt messages: “Free the Vote”
ST. PAUL, Minn. – A new law that restores voting rights to Minnesota felons as soon as they leave prison became effective Thursday. To celebrate, the state’s chief election officer, Secretary of State Steve Simon, attended a joyous voter registration ceremony with ex-felons at the at Arlington Hills Community Center in St. Paul. “This is the largest single act of enfranchisement in over 50 years,” Simon said. The new law, a Democratic priority in the 2023 Legislature, potentially could add 55,000 people to Minnesota voting rolls.
Earlier: Walz signs bill: Ex-felons will be voting
Earlier: How they voted: Ex-felon voting / 2
Earlier: Senate acts to restore ex-felon voting rights
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Earlier: How they voted: Ex-felony voting / 1
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With the new voting law, Minnesota became the 22nd state to restore voting rights when people with felony convictions leave prison even if they are still on probation or parole. Some states, including Maine, Vermont and the District of Columbia, have gone further. They allow people still in prison to vote. A notable exception to the trend: The Florida, where the Legislature voted to allow ex-felons to vote, but Governor Ron DeSantis vetoed the bill.