New Minnesota election laws: How will they affect our community?

We had a great audience for this presentation on October 17th.  If you missed the program use this link to watch the video:  https://youtu.be/P89nZOM9QOk

 Thank you Michelle Witte for a very informative evening. 

 
 

As many of you have heard, the Minnesota Legislature successfully passed nearly 3 dozen new voting and election laws during the 2023 legislative session, which have made voting and elections easier and safer for all Minnesotans. This includes passing "Restore the Vote" legislation, which is now in effect to help restore voting rights to people who were formerly incarcerated. Nearly 55,000 people living in their communities now have their voting rights restored. It also includes the pre-registration of 16 and 17 year olds, and the start of Automatic Voter Registration in 2024.

League of Women Voters Park Rapids Area (LWVPRA) will be presenting a public program to address the new changes in voting laws and rules. Michelle Witte, Executive Director of the League of Women Voters of Minnesota, will be our guest speaker. Besides being our executive director, she has followed the proud League tradition of women serving in government, having served as an elected school board member for South Washington County Schools. Michelle will also be speaking to Rotary and at the high school on Oct. 18.

The LWVPRA program will be at the Northwoods Bank Community Room (1200 1st St E, Park Rapids)  Tuesday, Oct. 17 at 5:30 p.m. Come learn more about the new laws, what they will mean for voting in 2024, and how you can stay informed about next year’s elections and candidates

Also learn how community members can be more involved in elections by becoming election judges, and observing the Public Accuracy Tests and Post Election Reviews that take place around our elections to ensure the integrity of our voting systems. Voting in 2024 starts Jan. 19, when early voting begins for the Presidential Preference Primary.

Join us with your questions and get informed!

League of Women Voters Park Rapids Area  (LWVPRA), encourages its members to be informed participants in political activity, but as a nonpartisan organization, we neither oppose nor support a political party or candidate even when the office is unaffiliated with a party. That does not preclude us from taking positions on issues and we have taken many positions over the past many decades. Our platform is nonpartisan so there is no question of our interest in anything other than the general welfare of our democracy and its citizens. All our programs are free and open to the public.

Please direct any questions about LWVPRA activities, events or how to join by emailing:  lwvparkrapids@lwvmn.org.  
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Honoring Florence and Carter Hedeen for 23 years of contributions to League of Women Voters

 Congratulations Carter and Florence!

We fellow members of the League of Women Voters of the Park Rapids
Area want to honor, thank, and applaud your many, many years of
advocacy with us. While the work you have each done has been varied,
your shared commitment to League has always been evident. We
apologize for any omissions, but we all have failing memories!!!

Florence, we had to dig a bit but we know that you have had
considerable involvement at the state level, as noted below. We also know
that you have attended several National Conventions. Board Member, LWVMN Board of Directors  Nominations Chair, LWVMN Board of Directors Member, LWVMN Legacy Circle  and Shur Fellow, LWVUS Membership Leadership Development.

Also Florence we found that you have served as:

• chair of the Events Committee
• chair of the Membership Committee 
• attended Citizenship Ceremonies including others 
• been a part of the Suffragists Play and performed in multiple venues
  as Alice Paul. 
• served as a forum Moderator
• Led the well-received program on Seeds to Table with many stations
• and guest speaker Winona LaDuke
• a longtime supporter of the ERA
• one of a very few who have served as an observer at local government meetings. 
• opening your home to be the pick-up and drop-off location for LWV
  get Out the Vote signs. 
• both of you have donated monetarily to LWV Park Rapids beyond
  your personal dues over a lengthy period.

Carter,
We know that you and Florence have been a tight unit and that the many
accomplishments she has had are in part with your support and at times,
assistance. Thank you.

• We recognize you as a leader being the first male member of our
  League and for the longest duration.
• We note your always quiet but most helpful presence working on both set up for events and take down whether you were slated for that job or not.
• We acknowledge and appreciate your leadership in the area of
  Climate Change and the Environment.
• We know that your research and knowledge of leaders in the climate movement enabled us to offer programs of great importance to our members and the
  community.
• We are overjoyed with your dedication to the little desired role as chair of the nominations committee.
• I recall that you also served our League as Secretary.

We know that the both of you have lived out the goals and ideals of the
League of Women Voters in your other work within the Park Rapids
Community. Carter, as a doctor, and both of you as members of the Social
Justice Committee at Riverside Church, members of the North Country
Trail, with the Food Shelf, Trainings through the Blandin Foundation,
Florence, with years on the PR School Board, and offering letters to the
editor about important issues.

Our entire community has been blessed with your active presence.