Voter ID could disenfranchise voters, groups tell committee

A bill requiring voter identification cards, electronic rosters and a slew of other changes to election laws was heard in the House Government Operations and Election committee Thursday. A large number of groups testified that the bill would disenfranchise voters, especially students, the elderly and the disabled, while several testified that the bill is needed to prevent voter fraud. A presentation by Rep. Mary Kiffmeyer on the technological improvements her bill would make to the voting process was derailed when the hearing room technology failed.

Bachmann had name removed from public voter list

Rep. Michele Bachmann had her name removed from a public voting record under a law intended to protect people’s safety, especially victims of sexual assault and domestic violence. According to the St. Cloud Times, Bachmann is the only member of Minnesota’s congressional delegation to have her name pulled from the state’s list of registered voters. But while Bachmann’s office says she removed her name for “privacy” reasons, that’s not the intent of the law.

Pawlenty’s voter-registration vetoes cut new drivers and ex-cons no slack

The words “veto” and “vote” may share the same letters but they’re at odds on Gov. Pawlenty’s desk the last two days. He won’t let Minnesotans get registered automatically as voters when they get licensed as drivers, and he…

ACORN fires back, alleges GOP vote suppression in new TV spot

The Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN), which has come under fire this year for voter registration practices that have resulted in the submission of fake registrations in some states, has released the following 30-second ad, which is…

Behind McCain’s ACORN gambit: The fraud of voter ‘fraud’

John McCain’s attempt to magnify allegations of voter registration fraud could mitigate the impact of a Barack Obama victory and deter black Democrats from turning out to vote in future elections.

Sen. McCain (R-Ariz.) and his allies have seized on the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, ACORN, which has worked to register more than 100,000 lower-income and minority voters. Some of the registrations have been faked and investigations are underway in some key states.

Video: Springsteen speaks, sings at Philadelphia voter registration rally for Obama

On Saturday Bruce Springsteen played a seven-song acoustic set on Philadelphia’s Benjamin Franklin Parkway mall–the first of three such appearances, followed by a stop at Ohio State University in Columbus on Sunday and one in Ypsilanti, Michigan Monday afternoon.
“After…

She’s back! Controversial former SoS Kiffmeyer seeks to replace convicted legislator

Last weekend former Minnesota Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer got the endorsement nod from House District 16B Republicans to replace embattled Rep. Mark Olson, whose conviction for domestic assault…

Minnesota’s same-day registration success pushed for federal elections

If the nation followed Minnesota’s lead in same-day voter registration, it could drastically increase voter turnout, Minnesota legislators say. Rep. Keith Ellison and Sen. Amy Klobuchar have offered a bill, the Election Day Registration Act,…