MN House advances sweeping election policy bill

Voting-rights advocates say democracy in the United States has been tested in the past few years. In response, the Minnesota House has passed a bill sponsors say would protect and strengthen a person’s ability to cast a ballot.

The Democracy for the People Act would establish automatic voter registration for those who are eligible and a permanent absentee ballot list. It would add teeth to voter-intimidation laws, and more.

Citing factors such as the Jan. 6 insurrection and foreign influence in elections, state Rep. Emma Greenman, DFL-Minneapolis, said her plan would allow Minnesota to maintain its strong reputation for civic engagement amid these threats.

“It acts to strengthen the voice of voters, of Minnesotans, in our democracy,” she said.

The bill also would make it a misdemeanor for someone who spreads misinformation with the intent to impede or prevent another person from voting. Republican opponents contended that the provision would likely be challenged in court. Some expressed concern about elected county attorneys enforcing elements of the policy, saying there could be political motivations.

Greenman, who is a voting-rights attorney, argued that these are a series of “good reforms” that work for all voters.

“Our state works best when Minnesota voices are at the center of our democracy,” she said. “All Minnesotans – Black, Brown, Indigenous, white, metro, Greater Minnesota, suburban, rich, poor, Democrats, Republicans, Independents and folks with no party at all.”

If enacted, the bill also would allow pre-registration to vote for 16-and 17-year-olds, establish procedures for multilingual election resources, and close so-called “dark money” loopholes. The amended bill now heads to the state Senate.

Support for this reporting was provided by the Carnegie Corporation of New York.