Dear Neighbors,
In Minnesota, we value the right to vote, giving everyone a chance to have their voices heard. Last year, a record 3.3 million Minnesotans cast their ballots. Unfortunately, the freedom to vote is under attack from some lawmakers – including Republicans in Minnesota – working to create barriers for people to vote and undermine confidence in our elections. The U.S. Supreme Court recently issued a ruling allowing voter suppression laws in other states to move forward, as well as one protecting the ability of millionaires and billionaires to continue influencing elections with dark money. Make no mistake: we’re at a make-or-break time in our democracy. We should strengthen, rather than restrict, voter participation and the voices of all Minnesotans – no matter where they live, what they look like, or who they vote for.
Next week, you’re invited to join me, Representative Liz Boldon, and Rochester community members for a discussion on the future of the freedom to vote. We’re holding a Democracy Town Hall on Monday, August 30 at 6pm on Zoom. The event will also be streamed on Facebook Live.
I’m excited that we will be joined by a very special guest: Representative Emma Greenman of Minneapolis. Rep. Greenman is an expert on election law and is the chief author of the Democracy for the People Act in the Minnesota House, a comprehensive package of legislation to expand voting rights, protect voters and election officials from intimidation and harassment, reduce the influence of corporations and the wealthiest in our elections, and more.
The event is nonpartisan and everyone in the community is welcome to join us. If you’d like to join us on Zoom, please fill out this registration form, where you can also submit questions for us. I hope you can join us!
As always, feel free to reach out to me directly with your input or if I can ever be of assistance. It’s an honor to represent you.
Warmly,
Tina