The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for May 8, 2023
Today’s Script: (Variations occur with audio due to editing for time)
Today’s Links now below the script
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz signed the “Democracy for the People Act” Friday, a huge bill expanding voter registration and mail-in voting options, creating a small-donor campaign funding voucher system, and enhancing penalties for intimidation or harassment of voters or election officials.
Minnesota joins New Mexico in passing omnibus bills to strengthen democracy protections in 2023. Minnesota’s bill establishes an automatic voter registration system, registering voters at the state departments of Public Safety and Human Services, unless they opt out. This includes the PRE-registration of 16 and 17 year olds, though they can’t vote until age 18. The bill is expected to add 450,000 voters to the rolls each year in a state which has one of the highest voter turnouts in the country.
The Democracy for the People Act also creates a permanent absentee vote by mail list, particularly helpful for seniors and the disabled, and makes voting materials more available in other languages.
Steps were also taken to rein in big money influence in elections by establishing a new “Democracy Dollars” campaign funding system, where qualifying candidates need to reach out to voters to receive the two $25 small-donor certificates given to each registered voter. Its aim is to keep candidates responsive to voters, not special interest campaign donors.
We have the text to the bill, analysis articles, and lots more at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Minnesota Legislature – Final Text of the “Democracy for the People Act”
Democracy Docket – Minnesota Governor Enacts the Democracy for the People Act
Duluth News Tribune – Minnesota enacts automatic voter registration, penalties for election misinformation
Minnesota Senate Media Services – Governor Walz Signs Voting Accessibility Bill into Law
Groups Taking Action:
Common Cause MN, League of Women Voters MN, Represent.Us, People for the American Way, Free Speech for People, We Choose Us MN
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