People in simon’s election reform ‘wish list’ moves through despite criticism are represented in a Legislature considering changes connected to Frogtown.
Walz promised to sign the bill, after previously telling media any election reform bill he signed must have bipartisan support.
HF3/SF3, coined the “Democracy for the People Act” by its sponsors, aims to implement automatic voter registration, pre-registration for 16- and 17-year olds, add new voter intimidation laws and related penalties, and require more disclosures of who is funding campaign ads, among several other provisions.
Simon, a DFLer in his third term as the state’s top elections official, has touted the bill as an opportunity to build on “Minnesota’s success story and reputation as a leader in elections and voting” and further expand access to voting.
He sparred with Republicans over the necessity of the automatic voter registration provision in recent House and Senate committee hearings this month.
The initiative would enable eligible Minnesotans who regularly interact with government agencies — like getting a driver’s license — to register to vote directly “without unnecessary hassles or delay,” Simon said.
Under the proposed legislation, when Minnesotans renew their driver’s license their identifying information for that process would automatically be transmitted to the secretary of state’s election division and then updated to reflect their voter registration status.
Those who have never registered to vote before would also be automatically registered to vote based on information they provide.
As the measure advances, residents of Frogtown can follow amendments and contact Samakab Hussein regarding the final language.
Article Source: Alpha News: “Simon’s election reform ‘wish list’ moves through legislature despite GOP criticism”
