Dear Friends and Neighbors,
As summer winds down and we welcome in autumn, I’ve started to look toward our next biennium in the Senate. There were a lot of projects left undone last session and many that I intend to give my full attention as the new year approaches. As always, election integrity remains a priority for me and one that I will not stop caring about. Your vote is your voice and is a core responsibility of every US citizen. We cannot take it for granted as it’s an integral part of our republic. In this newsletter, I’d like to cover some information related to our state election to ensure you have the knowledge necessary to navigate your way through this very important election season.
Automatic Voter Registration (AVR) and MN Identification |
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Per MN Statute 201.161, a person must be automatically registered to vote (if eligible) if they submit an application for a: 1. new or renewed driver’s license or ID card, 2. MNCare or medical assistance (new or renewal), or 3. benefits or services to any other state agency that AVR could be implemented in the future.
In any of these cases, the office of the Secretary of State holds the ultimate responsibility to ensure all documents submitted to them for voter registration are thoroughly vetted so that no one could be afforded the opportunity to cast an ineligible vote. Unfortunately, legislators were contacted by constituents advising them that something was wrong and this vetting system was not working.
I, along with other members of the GOP legislature, wrote a letter to the commissioner of the Department of Public Safety (DPS), Bob Jacobson, bringing information to their attention to prove the system in place is flawed and numerous people had been registered to vote who were clearly ineligible (for instance, non-citizen college students applying for state IDs). Over a week later, we received a letter from the DPS stating about 1%, or 1,000 voter records were inactivated due to inaccurate or missing voter information to include addresses, names, and citizenship verification. You can find an Associated Press article here that includes links to the letter.
While 1,000 names may not seem like a large number in the grand scheme of our state elections, sometimes elections are won by less than 100 votes! If it were your candidate you’d like to see win, would you want the people voting to be eligible to vote? Of course you would! I appreciate the efforts by the elections officials and the Department of Public Safety and Department of Vehicle Services to add extra verifications to the Automatic Voter Registration process after concerns were raised. I’m encouraged their prompt response and ability to adapt will lead to fruitful conversations next year about putting in place a uniform voter verification process for every voter registration. No matter where or when you register to vote – when you get your drivers’ license, online, or at the polls – every voter registration deserves to have the same verification and review process across the state. Election InformationAs a reminder, voting has begun! Below are some helpful resources to help you navigate this election season.
Make a plan and make it now! Your voice matters – don’t miss the opportunity to have it heard and cast your vote! Child Care Provider UpdateDuring the month of August, I held three listening sessions (North Branch, Chisago City, and Rush City) to discuss where the state is at in implementing potential changes to its licensed child care. Thank you to everyone who took the time to come and speak to your experiences as providers and parents! It was a great opportunity to really talk through what challenges and benefits could lie ahead of us.
In the meantime, Minnesota is partnering with local community organizations to bring opportunities for facilities and businesses involving child care. One upcoming event is the Future Child Care Provider Summit that takes place on October 24 at Central Lakes College in Brainerd. There is no fee to attend and lunch is provided. If you’d like to register for the event, you can do so here and you can learn more about the event by following this link. I hope to see you there! Livestock Investment Grant Now OpenThe Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) Agriculture Growth, Research, and Innovation (AGRI) Livestock Investment Grant program is now accepting applications for $1.125 million in grant funds. The grant provides funds to be used for equipment purchases, physical improvements, and acquisition of facilities to assist in starting, improving, or expanding livestock operations within Minnesota. Eligible projects may be buildings or facilities for raising livestock, watering systems, fencing, feed equipment, and waste management equipment. The grant will not pay for livestock, tractors, skid steer loaders, general purpose buildings, pasture or crop land, animal feed, crop seed, planters, combines, taxes, or debt refinancing. To find out more, click this link. Questions should be directed to the MDA at MDA.agrigrants@state.mn.us with “Livestock Investment Grant” in the subject line. Rural Business Success SeriesNumerous workshops are scheduled this fall, to include business growth, bookkeeping, legacy planning, and much more! You can find out more about the no-cost workshops at www.ifound.org/trainings.
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