Dayton: Executive Action On Felon Voting Rights Not Possible

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- Gov. Mark Dayton says he explored whether he could restore released felons' voting rights on his own.

It's been a regular topic at the Legislature for years. Minnesota law currently bans felons from voting until they've served out probation or parole.

A more sweeping ban against felon voting was in place in Virginia until Gov. Terry McAuliffe signed an executive order restoring their right to vote last week. Dayton told reporters Wednesday that legal counsel has told him he doesn't have that unilateral authority in Minnesota.

Dayton says he would exercise that power if he could.

The change would impact an estimated 74,000 released felons. The Democratic-majority Senate approved a quicker restoration this week, but it faces unlikely odds in the Republican-controlled House.