Says Measure Protects Our Democracy, Makes Voting Easier, Bans Voter Intimidation, and Ensures Elections are Fair and Inclusive for Minnesotans
SAINT PAUL, Minn. – Senate Majority Leader Kari Dziedzic (DFL-Minneapolis) said the Senate passed the Democracy for the People Act Wednesday to help protect against threats to democracy in Minnesota by strengthening the freedom to vote for all Minnesotans, reducing the influence of dark money in elections, and penalizing voter intimidation.
Majority Leader Dziedzic said the bill, authored by Sen. Liz Boldon (DFL-Rochester) makes it easier for Minnesotans to register to vote, improves transparency in election spending, and ensures elections in the state are fair, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of every voter.
“Minnesotans care about voting and the integrity of our elections and they spoke out strongly when our democracy and our elections were threatened. That’s why the Senate DFL majority has made defending Democracy a top priority this session,” said Majority Leader Dziedzic. “The Democracy for the People Act will help to make our elections free, fair, and accessible for every Minnesota voter, and will give our election officials the tools to keep them that way when democracy is threatened.”
“The Democracy for the People Act is in direct response to the extreme efforts to attack and undermine our democracy, and will protect the rights of citizens to exercise their vote in Minnesota,” said Sen. Boldon, Senate Chair of the Inclusive Democracy Caucus.“This bill protects the freedom to vote, strengthens our elections, and shines a light on secret spending in politics. I’m proud to carry this bill, and look forward to seeing Governor Walz sign this into law.”
The measure includes pre-registration for 16 and 17 year and automatically registers Minnesotans to vote when they get a driver’s license or sign up for benefits through a state agency. It also requires that voter information and sample ballots be produced in common non-English languages and it penalizes people who intimidate or interfere with voters trying to cast a ballot.
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