• Investing
  • Stock
Round Table Thoughts
  • Economy
  • Editor’s Pick
Home Economy Minnesota lawmakers eye pre-registering 16, 17-year-olds to vote
Economy

Minnesota lawmakers eye pre-registering 16, 17-year-olds to vote

by April 27, 2023
by April 27, 2023 0 comment
Share
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsapp

The Minnesota Senate is set to debate an elections bill that would let 16- and 17-year-olds to pre-register to vote.The plan would also establish automatic registration for residents who apply for or renew driver’s licenses or enroll in government programs.’If there was a Mount Rushmore for election reform bills in the history of Minnesota going back beyond 1973,’ Democratic Secretary of State Steve Simon said, this proposal ‘would be on it.’

Minnesota — a state where it is already easy to vote — is moving make it even easier, countering the national trend of states imposing further restrictions on balloting.

The Minnesota Senate was set Wednesday to debate an elections bill that would allow 16- and 17-year-olds to pre-register so they can vote as soon as they are old enough, and establish automatic registration when residents apply for or renew driver’s licenses or sign up for Medicaid and other public programs.

At a news conference ahead of the debate, Democratic Secretary of State Steve Simon called it a ‘once in a generation opportunity’ to strengthen democracy.

Minnesota is increasing voter access even as red states impose more restrictions, often in the name of election integrity. Several Republican-led states have tightened rules on voting by mail since the 2020 presidential election, in part because of the false narrative of widespread fraud in that race. Mississippi last month set tighter restrictions on who can gather other people’s absentee ballots. Three Republican-led states last month pulled out of a bipartisan effort among states to ensure accurate voter lists, undermining a system with a demonstrated record of combating voter fraud.

Simon pointed out that Minnesota 50 years ago became one of the first states to pass Election Day voter registration at the polls. He said he still views that as the ‘jewel in the crown’ of a system that consistently makes Minnesota a national leader in voter turnout. Minnesota adopted another major set of changes 10 years ago, he said, listing online voter registration and allowing everyone to vote by absentee ballot without needing to provide an excuse.

‘But this bill really is up there,’ Simon said. ‘If there was a Mount Rushmore for election reform bills in the history of Minnesota going back beyond 1973, this would be on it.’

The experience of other states shows that pre-registration makes young people more likely to vote the first time they become eligible and raises the chance that voting will become a lifelong habit, Simon said. And he said automatic registration will build on legislation enacted earlier this year, to restore the voting rights of felons when they leave prison, by making them more likely to exercise that right.

‘We are setting an example,’ said Democratic Sen. Liz Boldon, of Rochester, the lead Senate author. ‘We are leading the way.’

The bill, dubbed the ‘Democracy for the People Act,’ passed the House on a party-line vote two weeks ago. The lead Republican on the House Elections Committee, Rep. Paul Torkelson, of Hanska, said at the time that it struck him more as a bill for ensuring Democratic Party victories. He said it violated a longstanding tradition in the Minnesota Legislature that election bills should be bipartisan to advance.

‘We know that many of our citizens are questioning the validity and the authenticity of our elections,’ Torkelson said at a news conference. ‘The work we do here should increase their confidence that our elections are being run fairly. And we don’t believe that anything in this bill increases that public confidence.’

The bill was last on the Senate’s agenda for the day, and sponsors said they expected the debate to go late into the night. While Senate Democrats hold just a one-vote majority, they expressed confidence that it would pass. Democratic Gov. Tim Walz is expected to sign it once it reaches his desk.

Democratic Senate Elections Committee Chair Jim Carlson, of Eagan, said bill also seeks to shed more light on money and politics with increased disclosure requirements. It also includes criminal penalties for intimidation of voters and interference with voting.

‘What we’ve seen over the past couple of years, and what we have seen over the last couple of months, it’s really that states across the country are making a choice,’ said Democratic Rep. Emma Greenman, of Minneapolis, the lead author in the House. ‘They’re choosing between a thriving multiracial, multigenerational, multiregional democracy, or they’re choosing something else.’

Greenman listed gerrymandering, restrictions on ballot access and expulsions of duly elected legislators as examples of what red states are doing. ‘In Minnesota we are choosing something different,’ she said.

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS
You Might Also Like
  • Virginia residents reject massive solar farm plan for third time over environmental concerns
  • Ethereum Consolidates for New Targets and Prices Wednesday
  • Radical NPR chief Katherine Maher’s top secret agenda
  • Not since 1892: Trump vs Biden 2024 will be a race between two incumbents
Share
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsapp

previous post
Ron DeSantis to launch 2024 presidential exploratory committee next month: Report
next post
Disney sues Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis over control of self-governing district

You may also like

‘Star Wars’ actor Mark Hamill weighs in on Kamala Harris’...

August 22, 2024

Potential Supreme Court candidates during a second President Biden term

June 12, 2024

Comer reveals White House physician was involved in Biden family...

July 7, 2024

Tim Scott rolls out bill to protect sensitive military and...

October 24, 2023

Maine Gov. Mills claims bipartisanship in signing supplemental budget

February 22, 2023

House GOP divided on short-term funding as Congress barrels toward...

January 12, 2024

An Inflationary Thanksgiving, Revisited

November 24, 2022

SC sees tight race in Dem primary for state Senate...

September 22, 2023

FBI Biden bribery doc never made it to IRS investigators,...

June 23, 2023

National Archives cuts ties with guard who told visitors to...

February 24, 2023

    Stay updated with the latest news, exclusive offers, and special promotions. Sign up now and be the first to know! As a member, you'll receive curated content, insider tips, and invitations to exclusive events. Don't miss out on being part of something special.


    By opting in you agree to receive emails from us and our affiliates. Your information is secure and your privacy is protected.

    Recent Posts

    • Krispy Kreme stock plunges after doughnut chain pauses McDonald’s rollout, pulls outlook

      May 8, 2025
    • Don’t Buy Robinhood Stock… Until You See This Chart Setup

      May 8, 2025
    • UnitedHealthcare sued by shareholders over reaction to CEO’s killing

      May 8, 2025
    • The Unpredictable Stock Market: How to Make Sense of It

      May 8, 2025
    • AMD CEO calls China a ‘large opportunity’ and warns against strict U.S. chip controls

      May 7, 2025

    Popular Posts

    • 1

      Trump-era China sanctions ended by Biden may be...

      June 27, 2024 2,633 views
    • 2

      Walz’s honeymoon with China gets fresh scrutiny as...

      August 9, 2024 2,339 views
    • 3

      Biden appointee played key role in recruiting Chinese...

      June 25, 2024 2,321 views
    • 4

      Shein’s global ambitions leaves some cybersecurity experts fearful...

      July 10, 2024 2,303 views
    • 5

      Harris VP pick spent years promoting research facility...

      August 29, 2024 2,186 views

    Categories

    • Economy (7,009)
    • Editor's Pick (2,066)
    • Investing (538)
    • Stock (2,530)

    Popular Posts

    • 1

      Trump-era China sanctions ended by Biden may be revived under new House GOP bill

      June 27, 2024
    • 2

      Walz’s honeymoon with China gets fresh scrutiny as Harris camp blasts ‘lying’ critics

      August 9, 2024
    • 3

      Biden appointee played key role in recruiting Chinese businesses to Delaware: ‘Longtime friends’

      June 25, 2024
    • 4

      Shein’s global ambitions leaves some cybersecurity experts fearful of Chinese spy threats

      July 10, 2024
    • 5

      Harris VP pick spent years promoting research facility that collaborated with ‘Chinese military company’

      August 29, 2024

    Latest News

    • Krispy Kreme stock plunges after doughnut chain pauses McDonald’s rollout,...

      May 8, 2025
    • Don’t Buy Robinhood Stock… Until You See This Chart Setup

      May 8, 2025
    • UnitedHealthcare sued by shareholders over reaction to CEO’s killing

      May 8, 2025

    Categories

    • Economy (7,009)
    • Editor's Pick (2,066)
    • Investing (538)
    • Stock (2,530)

    Disclaimer: RoundTableThoughts.com, its managers, its employees, and assigns (collectively “The Company”) do not make any guarantee or warranty about what is advertised above. Information provided by this website is for research purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendation. Any investments recommended here should be taken into consideration only after consulting with your investment advisor and after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company.

    Copyright © 2024 RoundTableThoughts.com. All Rights Reserved.

    Round Table Thoughts
    • Investing
    • Stock
    Round Table Thoughts
    • Economy
    • Editor’s Pick

    Read alsox

    Key House Freedom Caucus member predicts...

    July 13, 2023

    USD/CHF in a strong up trend;...

    November 12, 2024

    Republicans question report White House ‘cocaine...

    July 8, 2023
    Sign In

    Keep me signed in until I sign out

    Forgot your password?

    Password Recovery

    A new password will be emailed to you.

    Have received a new password? Login here