Ken Martin: Warrantless Attacks

"Letter to Editor"

08/18/2012

Dear Editor,

Within the next couple of weeks the Minnesota Supreme Court will be ruling on a law dating back to 1919, which directs the Secretary of State to set titles for proposed constitutional amendments.

We don't know what the court will rule. We do, however, know what the proposed elections amendment will do. In an attempt to keep us in the dark, Republicans refuse to answer the questions of how these changes in our state's constitution would affect senior citizens, our armed forces and college students. Republicans are also refusing to answer the question of how much these changes would cost to implement. Instead, they are using Mark Ritchie as their lightning rod of distraction. We must refuse to remain quiet as Republicans continue their rants and unwarranted attacks on Mark Ritchie.

I hope you will join me in talking with your friends and neighbors to help others understand that our Secretary of State is doing his job to make sure voters know the details and the consequences of what they are voting for in November. The title is accurate - this proposal will make changes to in-person voting and absentee voting, it will require each voting place to establish a parallel voting system called "provisional ballots," it will make it harder to vote absentee and it will end same day voter registration and voting as we know it - if we allow it to pass.

Please help get the facts out there regarding the ridiculous, distracting attacks coming from the Republicans.

It's up to us to put these claims to rest. Talk to your neighbors, write a letter, make a phone call and spread the word - Mark Ritchie is fulfilling his responsibilities and doing what is best for Minnesota.

Best,

Ken Martin
DFL Party Chair