St. Paul, MN - Today, the Minnesota House of Representatives passed legislation allowing for the utilization of federal Help America Vote Act (HAVA) funds, and additional measures to ensure Minnesota’s elections remain safe and secure. Representative Kristin Bahner (DFL-Maple Grove) voted to support the legislation.
“Voting empowers us with the ability to lift up our voices and be heard at the ballot,” said Rep. Bahner, vice chair of the Elections Subcommittee. “Our citizens deserve a safe and secured process in exercising their right to vote. The bipartisan measure passed today will help safeguard voter data and information, protect the health of our voters and poll workers, and the health of our democracy in Minnesota as leaders of civic engagement.”
Following the 2016 elections and the threats of foreign influence, the Department of Homeland Security designated elections as critical infrastructure, and the federal government disbursed grants to help states update and improve election security. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, additional funds were made available for virus-specific measures through the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
In addition to improving accessibility and modernizing election security, HAVA funds will be used to ensure the health and safety of election officials and in-person voters. This includes preparation for increased absentee voting, new polling place locations, the purchase of sanitation and disinfectant supplies, and public outreach for implementing social distancing guidelines related to voting.
The legislation can be found here, and a video of today’s floor debate will be available here.
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