House passes presidential primary bill
The Minnesota House Friday overwhelming passed legislation to establish a statewide presidential primary.
The vote was 106-23.
Under the bill, voters will be able to cast nomination ballots in person and absentee during presidential election years. That voting would no longer take place during precinct caucuses.
Rep. Tim Sanders, R-Blaine, said the bill corrects the problem seen this year when large crowds packed many caucus sites.
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“People want to be involved and have a voice in saying who their party’s nominee is,” Sanders said. “So I think it’s important to take that step today, to let Minnesotans know that we heard them, that we admit we were ill prepared and not equipped to facilitate how many Minnesotans wanted to participate in March.”
Some lawmakers complained about the requirement for voters will to declare their party affiliation to get a ballot. That information will then be public.
Rep. Carolyn Laine, DFL-Columbia Heights, said voters expect more privacy. Laine said they don’t want their voting activity to be part of the public record.
“That’s the part that gives us heartburn. That’s the part that just feels so un-Minnesotan,” Laine said.
Supporters of the bill pointed out that caucus participation is already a public declaration of party support.
“People are going to see you. Your neighbors are going to see you,” said Rep. Jason Isaacson, DFL-Little Canada.
The state Senate already passed the bill. But the House made a slight change to the bill, which will now send the bill back to the Senate for further consideration.