On February 22, 2023 Minnesota legislature passed Restore The Vote. This monumental moment and new law, when put into effect, will allow those who are currently incarcerated to immediately be restored their right to vote, whether or not they are required to complete parole or probation, once they have been released and are no longer in custody (MPRNews). Individuals currently on parole or probation can also register to vote once the law has been put into place. This also means that many who have lost their voice will have it once again come election time!
Over 53,000 people in Minnesota have been silenced each time new legislation is brought forward (ACLU of Minnesota).
This is not just about voting for the next president. They have lost their right to advocate for their children when the school system is making policy decisions at the local level. To reduce recidivism, there has to be buy-in within their community. We know that the right to vote encourages civic engagement, now our participants and the 53,000 people impacted by the cycle of incarceration will find restoration to their community because their community is advocating for them to be given back their civil rights and the opportunity to fully engage in the decisions that impact their whole family. It is being told that your opinions matter to your community and that although you once made a mistake and have lived out the consequences, your citizenship will not be taken from you.
This is just in Minnesota, and the work is not done! 4.6 million people living in the United States do not have the right to vote based on a criminal history. This is 2% of the population that is of voting age (ACLU of Minnesota). Next Chapter’s mission is for those impacted in Olmsted County, but just as we desire to see holistic Gospel transformation here, we desire to also see it in the 11 other states that have not restored the vote. Join us as we continue to advocate for the civil rights of the people impacted by incarceration.