SENATOR

BOBBY JOE CHAMPION

District 59
75 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd
State Capitol Building
St. Paul, Minnesota 55155

State of Minnesota
Thursday, June 04, 2015

Dear Governor Dayton,

Thank you for your leadership on behalf of thousands of disenfranchised Minnesotans who are
living in our communities and paying taxes, but unable to vote due to a felony conviction on
their record. This policy unnecessarily and excessively discourages positive voter participation,
perpetuates racial disparities, and adds cost and complications to voting.
The policy should be changed so that, like in many other states, once a citizen is living in our
community, they are eligible to vote. Numerous studies have shown that people who vote take a
more active and positive role in their community. In addition, when children watch their parents
vote, this models positive behavior and increases their likelihood of voting when they are adults.
This ensures we are preparing the next generation to take a more active and positive role in
society.
Contrary to popular belief, only 36% of disenfranchised Minnesotans who live out in the
community on probation or supervised release are from Hennepin and Ramsey counties and the
remaining 64% are from Greater Minnesota. This is a clear example of how this is not just a
metro issue, but it is statewide and affects all of Minnesota.
There are too many Minnesota citizens who are unnecessarily denied their individual liberty to
vote. A disproportionate number are African American. Minnesotas disenfranchisement rate is
over four times what it was 40 years ago. African American men are disenfranchised at seven
times the rate of whites, giving Minnesota a worse disenfranchisement rate for African
Americans than most other states, including Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana and Oklahoma.
Rand Paul of Kentucky recently spoke out: given the racial disparities in
our criminal justice system, it is impossible for African-Americans not to feel
like their government is particularly targeting them.

Minnesota can do better. With your leadership, we will do better. Gov. Dayton, please stand
strong in negotiations to restore the vote on behalf of the 47,000 Minnesotans who cant vote and
the coalition of over 72 groups in support of this legislation.
We must change our outdated policy to reflect Minnesotans shared value of individual liberty.
The right to vote forms the core of American democracy. Our history is marked by successful
struggles to expand the franchise, to include those previously barred from the electorate because
of race, class, or gender. This legislation to restore voting rights builds a stronger democracy,
advances civil rights, ends second-class citizenship, aids law enforcement, empowers family and
communities, and assures fair and accurate voter rolls.
Thank you for your leadership.
Senator Champion
Majority Leader, Senator Bakk
President of the Senate, Senator Pappas
Assistant Majority Leader, Senator Sieben
Deputy Majority Leader, Senator Hayden
Senator Dibble
Senator Kent
Senator Marty
Senator Torres Ray
Senator Dahle
Senator Carlson
Senator Goodwin
Senator Rest
Senator Sheran
Senator Eaton
Senator Latz
Senator Dziedzic
Senator Franzen