With early voting underway in Minnesota and a new law protecting the electoral process, Attorney General Keith Ellison released updated guidance on the right to vote safely in a new electronic Election Report Form that Minnesotans can use if they encounter challenges in exercising their right to vote.
“Minnesotans cherish our democracy and our freedom to vote,” Ellison said, “and I am confident Minnesota’s elections will continue to be as safe, free and fair as ever. I do not anticipate needing to enforce these laws, but I will not hesitate to do so in order to keep our elections free from force, threats, or disinformation weaponized to keep Minnesotans from the ballot box.”
Minnesota made a pivotal decision earlier this year to enforce and strengthen Minnesotans’ freedom to vote. Landmark pro-voter legislation, the Minnesota Voting Rights Act (MNVRA), made Minnesota the seventh state to adopt a state-level Voting Rights Act—the most recent development in the trend of states taking action to safeguard voting rights.
A ruling last year by the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which covers Minnesota, necessitated that the state act. Its ruling bars private entities from bringing lawsuits, drastically undercutting the federal Voting Rights Act, passed in 1965 to counter racial discrimination in elections.
“Democracy thrives when everyone’s voice is heard. Today, we’re ensuring a strong democracy by prioritizing accessibility and voter protections,” Gov. Tim Walz said as he signed the bill into law. “With this bill, we are breaking barriers that stand in the way of voting, protecting fair democratic processes, and paving the way for Minnesota to continue to lead the nation in voter turnout.”
The MNVRA aims to eliminate voter suppression and ensure that all votes carry equal weight. It allows individuals to claim a violation if actions create a “disparate burden” on minority groups without requiring proof of discriminatory intent.
The law empowers the attorney general, county attorneys, or affected individuals to bring cases to the district court for alleged violations. This offers a crucial avenue for Minnesotans to contest discriminatory voting practices.
Minnesota consistently ranks at the top for voter turnout in the United States. In 2020, Minnesota broke a record when 79.9 percent of eligible voters in the state voted in the general election. This achievement underscores Minnesota’s commitment to civic engagement and highlights the importance of accessible voting practices, which the MNVRA aims to enhance further.
In the face of recent attacks against our democracy and the influx of misinformation in the national dialogue, efforts to protect and educate our fellow citizens are paramount. Minnesota is setting a precedent for other states to take a clear stance against any attempts to dissuade people from voting.
“As Black voters across America face the greatest assault on voting rights since Jim Crow, Minnesota is moving forward, not back, by passing the Minnesota Voting Rights Act,” Janai Nelson, president and director-counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund (LDF), said of the MNVRA in a statement.
Passage of the MNVRA represents a significant legal advancement and serves as a rallying point for democracy advocates nationwide. By ensuring that every eligible voter can participate without fear or obstruction, Minnesota reinforces the fundamental principle that a vibrant democracy relies on the active engagement of its citizens.
This sends a clear message that the state is committed to safeguarding the electoral process and fostering an environment where every voice contributes to the collective dialogue, paving the way for more inclusive governance.
“People have been misinformed, intimidated, and made to feel like their vote doesn’t matter. This results in people being muted,” said State Sen. Bobby Joe Champion (59, DFL). “Your vote is your voice. Our constitution addresses, ‘We the people.’ Every citizen in this wonderful country deserves to be heard.”
Minnesota also will eliminate prison gerrymandering by altering its census counting so that incarcerated individuals are counted at their last address, not at the prison. This will allow “more accurate census counting, fairer districts and better representation,” Common Cause Minnesota, a nonpartisan grassroots organization, said in a statement.
Annastacia Belladonna-Carrera, executive director of Common Cause Minnesota, said in a statement that “ending prison gerrymandering, establishing a Minnesota Voting Rights Act, and expanding voting rights are great steps to improving democracy, but we cannot stop at these measures.”
Belladonna-Carrera and other democracy advocates say Minnesota needs to “expand campus polling places to community colleges where students of color are likely to make up the majority of the student population, and we need full grassroots redistricting reform with an independent commission.”
The MNVRA responds to a national climate in which many voters have felt disenfranchised or confused about their voting rights. Simplifying the voting process and clarifying legal protections ensures that every Minnesota voter understands their role in the democratic process.
In prioritizing accessibility, equity, and the protection of every voter’s rights, Minnesota sets an inspiring example of how states have the power to defend democracy actively. As the nation grapples with challenges to electoral integrity, Minnesota’s commitment to ensuring that every voice is heard will be a vital part of the broader fight for a more just and inclusive electoral system.
The collective efforts of community leaders, legislators and advocates underscore that a strong democracy relies on the unwavering dedication of its citizens. Together, they are shaping a future where every vote truly counts.
Alexzia Shobe welcomes reader responses at ashobe@spokesman-recorder.com.
Ellison encourages voters to share the Election Report Form with friends and family before Election Day on Nov. 5. Find it at www.ag.state.mn.us/Election/Report/. Anyone with questions about voting or other concerns about Minnesota’s elections should contact the Minnesota Secretary of State’s office at 877-600-8683.
The Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder offers online assistance to register to vote, check your registration, apply for an absentee ballot, or check your ballot status. Go to https://spokesman-recorder.com/2024-voter-resource-guide/.