Washington D.C. – Following today’s vote by the Minnesota state legislature to restore voting rights to the state’s returning citizens, People For the American Way President Svante Myrick and Until We All Are Free Director Kevin Reese released the following statements:

“This legislative victory is a big win for Minnesotans and the result of years of organizing led by groups on the ground. Thanks to their work, the state is restoring voting rights to more than fifty-five thousand Minnesotans who were previously incarcerated and/or are on probation or parole. This is a significant step forward in an effort to strengthen voting rights across the board in the state of Minnesota, and builds momentum for federal voting rights protections needed at the national level to ensure that all Americans have an equal right to participate in our democracy,” said Svante Myrick, president of People For the American Way.

“With Restore the Vote, having the right to vote does not dismiss one’s responsibility to all the conditions of probation or parole. It actually incentivizes it, while helping people engage and invest in their communities. My hope is that we all will have that opportunity to be restored, to have a seat at the table, a place at the mic, and a voice at the ballot,” said Kevin Reese, founder and director of Until We All Are Free.

# # #

About People For the American Way 

People For the American Way, a national progressive advocacy organization, inspires and mobilizes community and cultural leaders to advance Truth, Justice and the American Way. We convene courageous Americans, produce compelling media and organize campaigns to defend our democracy from authoritarian threats and advance America’s promise that everyone will enjoy freedom, safety and a vote that counts. Learn more: https://www.pfaw.org