The ACLU is suing the state of Minnesota in an effort to restore the voting rights of convicted felons who are on supervised release.
David McKinney, an attorney for the ACLU of Minnesota, says the current law violates due process.
"Folks who are able to vote feel like they have a greater stake in their community. They feel more connected to the communuity and to society as a whole. (Allowing felons to vote) also reduces the rate of recidivism, they are less likely to reoffend."
The lawsuit, filed in Ramsey County on behalf of four convicted felons, names Secretary of State Steve Simon. Simon has voiced support for allowing felons who've completed their prison time the right to vote.
McKinney says the law as it stands currently prevents more than 53,000 Minnesotans from voting.