SAINT PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Voters Alliance (MVA) has filed a lawsuit against the new Restore the Vote law, which became effective on June 1, 2023. The lawsuit challenges the constitutionality of the law, which restores voting rights to people who have been convicted of felonies once they have completed their sentence, including parole or probation.
Representative Cedrick Frazier (DFL – New Hope), chief author of the law in the House, released the following statement:
“This is nothing more than an attempt to suppress the vote of certain members in our communities across the state. By bringing this lawsuit, MVA is seeking to create confusion and fear among our neighbors who have recently had their voting rights restored. It is not lost on me that the previous voter disenfranchisement law had a disproportionate impact on communities of color, particularly African Americans.
Although disappointed, I am not surprised by this lawsuit and I remain weary and highly skeptical of groups that seek to limit access to our democracy, as we all should. However, I am confident that this lawsuit will not prevail. In the meantime, along with other advocates that have dedicated their time and passion to expand access to our democracy, I will continue to spread the word to ensure that the 55,000 plus Minnesotans who this new law benefits understand that they now have their voices back in our democracy and that they should exercise it without fear.”
The lawsuit is being filed in the Minnesota Court of Appeals. A hearing is scheduled for August 1, 2023.