Legislators Propose Changes to Voting

If some of our local legislators have it their way, Minnesotans may have more options—and a barrier—at the polls. State Rep. Ryan Winkler (DFL – District 44B) told Patch last week he plans to co-author a bill that would create early voting.

"Right now, the only way that you can send in your absentee vote is to say that you will not be in your district on voting day. The numbers tell us a lot of people are giving a white lie," Winkler said. "By creating early voting, people can cast a vote without having to worry about giving that white lie."

Winkler says the bill would make it possible to vote absentee-style without having to be out of town on the day of voting.

"The Minnesota voting system works really well, but we need to reduce the crush of registration on voting day," he said.

Winkler voiced his concern last week in a news release about other proposed legislation (HF302) that would require all Minnesotans show a photo ID before voting. Winkler, along with other democratic lawmakers, say it would create major barriers to voting, especially for the disabled, and sounds a false alarm about voter fraud. The Government Operations and Elections Committee meets Tuesday to discuss this issue.

Here’s a look back at the bills authored or co-authored by Golden Valley-area legislators this past week:

Rep. Ryan Winkler (DFL - District 44B)

• Co-authored a bill, along with seven other lawmakers, to consolidate state agency information technology systems and services, transferring duties to the Office of Enterprise Technology and proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes. HF297 was introduced on January 31 and has been referred to the Committee on Government Operations and Elections.
• Co-authored a bill, along with 24 other lawmakers, to establish a retained savings program for executive branch agencies and proposed coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes. HF299 was introduced on January 31 and has been referred to the Committee on Government Operations and Elections.
• Co-authored a bill, along with five other lawmakers, that would provide a credit for investment in start-up and emerging Minnesota businesses. HF288 was introduced on January 31 and has been referred to the Committee on Commerce and Regulatory Reform.

Rep. Lyndon Carlson (DFL - District 45B)

• Proposed a bill that would appropriate money for the National U.S. Junior Olympic and Disabled American Ski Center and authorize the sale and issuance of state bonds. HF324 was introduced February 2 and has been referred to the Committee on Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Policy and Finance.
• Proposed a bill to increase the time provided for canvassing state primary election returns. HF281 was introduced January 31 and was referred to the Committee on Government Operations and Elections.
• Co-authored a bill, along with 30 other lawmakers, that would modify fees for transactions relating to motor vehicles and drivers' licenses. HF247 was introduced February 3 and has been referred to the Committee on Transportation Policy and Finance.
• Co-authored a bill, along with 24 other lawmakers, that would modify the school finance system and create new education funding framework. HF345 was introduced February 3 and has been referred to the Committee on Education Finance.

Sen. Ron Latz (DFL - District 44)

• Co-authored a bill, along with two other lawmakers, that would enact amendments to the Uniform Commercial Code Article 9 adopted by the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws. SF194 was introduced February 2 and has been referred to the Judiciary and Public Safety Committee.

Sen. Ann H. Rest (DFL - District 45)  

• Proposed a bill that would relate to education finance, encouraging school programs offering alternative school year calendars, authorizing grants and appropriating money. SF198 was introduced February 2 and has been referred to the Committee on Education.
• Proposed a bill that amends a previous statute clarifying that a school district is not required to provide educational services to students without disabilities from other states. SF199 was introduced February 2 and has been referred to the Committee on Education.
• Proposed a bill amending a Minnesota Statue to require health insurers honor the patient's assignment of benefits. SF202 was introduced February 2 and has been referred to the Committee on Health and Human Services.
• Co-authored a bill, along with two other lawmakers, that would adjust the special education percentage eligibility requirement for a charter school to receive the accelerated aid payment shift. SF185was introduced February 2 and has been referred to the Committee on Education.