The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for May 23, 2024
Today’s Script
(Variations occur with audio due to editing for time. Today’s Links below the script)
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
May 17th, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz signed an omnibus democracy reform bill which included the Minnesota Voting Rights Act, on the heels of 2023’s Democracy for the People Act and restoring voting rights to 55,000 of its formerly incarcerated citizens.
The new omnibus bill funds new election and cybersecurity equipment for municipalities, changes voter ID requirements for students, makes several election administration changes, but most importantly, establishes the Minnesota Voting Rights Act. Minnesota joins New Mexico, Oregon, Washington, California, Illinois, Connecticut, New York, and Virginia in replacing protections stripped from the federal 1965 Voting Rights Act by the U.S. Supreme Court.
Among the Minnesota VRA provisions are: Prohibiting voter discrimination on the basis of race, color or language, protecting voters from disinformation; giving private citizens the right to bring voting rights court actions; ending prison gerrymandering; expanding on-campus polling places for students; ensuring Native American citizens can register and vote unhindered, and helping the unhoused to register.
This follows 2023’s Democracy for the People Act, establishing automatic voter registration, creating a standing mail-in voting list, pre-registering 16 and 17 year olds, and requiring more disclosure of political advertising funders.
Governor Tim Walz said in a statement: “Democracy thrives when everyone’s voice is heard. Today, we’re ensuring a strong democracy by prioritizing accessibility and voter protections, ” he said.
We have more at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Minnesota Legislature – Final Text of HF4772 Elections Policy and Finance Bill
Office of Gov. Tim Walz – Statement on Passage of Minnesota Voting Rights Act
Common Cause – Elections Omnibus Passage Strengthens Voting Rights, But Work Still to Do
Democracy Docket – Minnesota Governor Signs Pro-Voting Package
Minnesota Reformer – (2023) Walz signs Democracy for the People Act elections bill
Groups Taking Action:
Campaign Legal Center, Minnesota Alliance for Democracy, COPAL – Communidades Organizando el Poder y la Acción Latina, Stand Up America
Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter and SHARE!
Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
Want ADM sent to your email? Sign up here!
Are you a radio station? Find our broadcast files at Pacifica Radio Network’s Audioport and PRX
#Democracy #DemocracyNews #MinnesotaNews #MinnesotaPolitics #VotingRightsAct #FreedomtoVote