Is the right to vote the same as the right to buy beer, cigarettes and airline tickets? That seemed to be the argument made by proponents of a bill seeking to mandate photo identification for voters that was heard Monday afternoon in the Senate Committee on Local Government and Elections.
When Gov. Tim Pawlenty signed an executive order on Tuesday directing state agencies to refrain from applying for discretionary grants through “Obamacare,” the reaction from many quarters was swift and harsh. While most see the executive order as a crushing blow to Minnesota’s health care system and budget deficit, some say the impact will be minimal financially but could cause the legislature some headaches down the road.
Tuesday’s primary election will be the next testing ground for reNEW Minnesota’s long-term progressive effort, as the group seeks to flex its muscles in a statewide campaign by winning the day for Margaret Anderson Kelliher.
Millions of people from around the country have descended on Washington, D.C. to witness the inauguration of Barack Obama. Among the masses are scores of Minnesotans eager to catch a glimpse of history.
A hotline set up to monitor voting problems received 599 calls and recorded 77 serious issues on election day, according to a report by Take Action Minnesota. Among the problems documented through the “election protection” hotline: an elderly, disabled voter was denied assistance in filling out her ballot; voting equipment wasn’t operational at one North Minneapolis polling location when the doors opened; and (as first reported in MnIndy) interpreters and challengers at the Brian Coyle Center were reported to be seeking to influence the voting decisions of voters.
Do you know where to vote on Election Day? Do you know what to bring with you? Get comprehensive voter information for your state here.
