A state oversight panel has censured a Minnesota judge for deeming unconstitutional a new state law that reinstates voting rights for individuals with felony convictions.

MILLE LACS COUNTY, Minn. (AP) — On Thursday, a Minnesota oversight panel censured a judge who previously ruled against a new state law that restored voting rights to individuals with felony convictions.

The Minnesota Board on Judicial Standards issued a public censure to Mille Lacs County District Judge Matthew Quinn for making an unsolicited ruling on the law's constitutionality.

A court spokeswoman indicated that Quinn declined to comment on the censure issued Thursday.

The law, enacted last year, allows individuals with felony convictions to regain their voting rights upon completing their prison sentences.

In an unexpected move, Quinn ruled the law unconstitutional in two separate cases where he sentenced offenders to probation but informed them they were ineligible to vote or register to vote, contradicting the new law. This ruling was unusual because neither case had requested a judgment on the law’s constitutionality.

The Minnesota Court of Appeals later determined Quinn lacked the authority to rule on the law and reversed his attempts to revoke voting rights from several individuals.

On Thursday, the Judicial Standards Board concluded that Quinn violated several ethical guidelines by failing to adhere to the law.

This isn't Quinn's first reprimand from the board. Two years ago, he was censured for publicly supporting former President Donald Trump and making critical remarks about President Joe Biden.