Public News Service: MN Part of Push to Expand Access to Voting

State legislatures across the country have reconvened, with many expected to take up election policy, including Minnesota.

At the state Capitol, Democrats have gained more control and are pursuing efforts such as automatic voter registration and restoring the voting rights of felons after their release. The plans coincide with broader democracy concerns amid the continued fallout from the 2020 presidential vote.

Annastacia Belladonna-Carrera, executive director of Common Cause Minnesota, said expanding voting access is always a good thing, but added the work needs to be done with precision.

“For us, it’s not just about the title of the bill, it’s not just about the concept of the bill,” Belladonna-Carrera explained. “It’s about those nooks and crannies that really speak to meaningful maximization of transparency, accountability, rights.”

Belladonna-Carrera acknowledged moving too quickly can lead to unintended consequences. She feels a single, unforeseen negative effect would be enough for fringe groups to perpetuate false claims of systemic election problems.

One example she cited is restoring voting rights for felons, suggesting it can’t come with a range of hurdles to complete. A bill advancing in the House provides an individual with a voter registration application upon release.

Belladonna-Carrera understands Democrats feel a sense of urgency because of their majorities and how things might change with future election cycles. She added the plans being floated so far appear promising. But she argued the desire to make voting accessible to everyone should always be there, no matter who is in charge.

“We have a responsibility and an opportunity to act every single time — under our state constitution — that legislative body is at play,” Belladonna-Carrera contended.