SAINT PAUL -- Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon issued the following statement after publication of the Minnesota Supreme Court's opinion in the case of Schroeder et al. v. Simon:
"The Minnesota Supreme Court has made it clear that the future of voting rights for Minnesota residents who have left prison behind lies in the hands of the legislature. While our office defended the law as it is currently written, I believe that the policy is long overdue for a correction. If a person is deemed by a judge or jury to be worthy enough and safe enough to live in our community, then it is entirely reasonable to allow that person to have a say about who governs them. This restoration of voting rights is good for all of us, because we know that when people have a sense of ownership in their community they are far less likely to commit another crime. I will continue to be a strong advocate for legislation, already passed by the House, that will allow those who have left prison behind to rejoin our democracy and vote in our elections."