cast a little vote and you land in jail

a minnesota probationer who voted in violation of state disenfranchisement law has been sentenced to a year in jail. since all but 30 days of the sentence is "stayed," the rest of the time won't be imposed unless he violates whatever conditions the court sets.

some will say he got off easy, i suppose, since he could've gotten a much longer sentence and another felony conviction. regardless of the sentence, however, i still can't believe that we're locking people up for voting. via minnpost:

Willems voted in Roseau County in November. Election officials didn't recognize him as an illegal voter, but he had told his probation officer -- as he was required to do -- where he would be that day. The probation officer later broke the news to him that voting was a no-no and informed county officials.

Willems originally was charged with a felony for his illegal vote, but the charge was reduced to a gross misdemeanor. He was sentenced Monday in Roseau County Court to one year in jail with all but 30 days stayed for three years.