Supporters of restoring the right to vote for Minnesotans convicted of felonies after their release are pushing for a hearing in the state senate.
Representatives from the law enforcement, criminal justice, faith and corrections communities say those on parole and probation -- some of whom spend decades paying taxes without the ability to vote -- deserve to cast a ballot.
Ramsey County Attorney John Choi and Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman say it's an issue of justice.
"It speaks to our values as a state, as a community about what we think about this notion of rehabilitation, reintegration, redemption," Choi said.
"An enormously broad section of our law enforcement community believes restoring voting rights is good for public safety," Freeman said, while adding that the current system is a "mess" to enforce. "We as a society have decided that our neighbors on probation and parole deserve a second chance."
It hasn't received support in the senate, but at least some Republicans, like Max Rymer representing the Liberty Caucus, are on board.
"We are not about constant, as you said, incarceration," he said. "We want people reintegrated into society. We want them to feel that if they did commit a crime they are ready to come back and work and pay taxes."
53,000 Minnesotans are living post-release with a felony conviction, according to Senator Bobby Joe Champion's office. Fourteen states have similar laws, including North Dakota.