A half-dozen defendants sat in the courtroom, all described as “model probationers” living and working in Minneapolis. But they were facing a new felony: illegal voting. They simply arrived at their polling place and cast ballots like so many of us did. Their new felony charges arose because in 30 states it’s illegal to vote while serving a probation sentence. This talk will review research and policy developments in felon disenfranchisement law and policy. After addressing the origins, scope, political impact and public opinion on the practice, it considers the meaning of these legal restrictions in the context of contemporary debates in the U.S. and other nations. Chris Uggen is Regents Professor and Martindale Chair in Sociology and Law at the University of Minnesota. Find an article about his work here. NOTE: Guests are welcome!
This is one in an ongoing MCC program series under the banner “Driven to Discover.” The series features University of Minnesota faculty and students sharing current research and programming at the University.