Education clause proposed for Minnesota Constitution:

Did you miss this zoom event:  But have a strong interest in Minnesota's educational system, here is a summary of the information plus links to read the article from the Enterprise or view a recording of the zoom meeting from March 24, 2021.  

The proposed amendment reads:  All children have a fundamental right to a quality public education that fully prepares them with the skills necessary for participation in the economy, our democracy, and society, as measured against uniform achievement standards set forth by the state. It is a paramount duty of the state to ensure quality public schools that fulfill this fundamental right

" Minnesotans may have the opportunity to vote on a proposed amendment to the Minnesota State Constitution making it a civil right that all children receive a quality public education.
In keeping with its tradition of bringing current topics to voters, the League of Women Voters of the Park Rapids Area hosted a presentation on the topic. The virtual event was held Wednesday, March 24, featuring former Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Alan Page and Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis President Neel Kashkari. They have been advancing the idea that Minnesota needs a constitutional amendment that will put “children first.”
Called the Page Amendment, it must be passed through majority vote in a statewide election. The next election when it may be considered is Nov. 11, 2022."  from Park Rapids Enterprise March 26, 2021."   

Kashkari explained, “These gaps are racial disparities, so the gaps between white students and children of color – black, Hispanic, Indigenous – but they’re also socioeconomic gaps. Low-income white children across Minnesota are badly trailing their middle-class and more well-to-do peers.” 

Justice Page stated that the educational system: “has systematically failed large groups of children in Minnesota. They’re children who, as a result of that failure, are diminished customers, diminished employees and diminished taxpayers and potentially more likely to be involved in our criminal justice system, in our social services system, and we think that we can do better.”

To read the full article written by: Shannon M. Geisen of the Park Rapids Enterprise, Mar. 26, 2021 you will need to go to the Enterprise website and search for Education clause proposed for Minnesota

To view the recorded Zoom meeting follow this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INeg80vaTEc

To read more about the proposed amendment follow this link: https://www.minneapolisfed.org/policy/education-achievement-gaps/why-a-constitutional-amendment

 To read more about the data behind this effort:  https://www.minneapolisfed.org/topic/k-12-education

 

 

 

 

 

Zoom Event: March 24th: Children First: A Community Conversation

Use the zoom link near the bottom of this post to register. You will be sent the zoom link when you register.

Most people think of League of Women Voters as being mainly concerned with voting rights, voting registration and candidate forums. Would you be surprised to read this passage from The Park Rapids Enterprise of March 6, 1935?

The League of Women Voters met Wednesday afternoon (March 6, 1935) with Mrs. E.V. Fuller having a very interesting meeting. Mr. Mevig, a guest speaker, spoke on House Bill No. 382 which pertains to funds for schools. Mr. Mevig urged all to vote against this bill and vote for the State bill instead.

In keeping with this tradition of bringing current topics to voters for their consideration while there is still time for voter input,
League of Women Voters of the Park Rapids Area (LWVPRA) is hosting, “Children First: A Community conversation about educating all of our children.’'

Two distinguished gentlemen, Justice Alan Page and Federal Reserve President Neel Kashkari, have been advancing the idea that Minnesota needs an amendment to our constitution that will put “children first.” The amendment itself is short but if it is adopted by voters what would that mean for schools in this area? What would it mean for our children?

Over Zoom Justice Page and President Kashkari typically give a 10- to15-minute presentation on the amendment and then use the rest of the time for Q&A. The LWVPRA (a nonpartisan local group) will provide the moderator to ask questions from the audience which will be asked on the chat feature of Zoom.

This is an issue relevant to all residents. Whether you are a parent, grandparent, teacher, school board member or an employer in the area, the success of all of our children has an impact on our region. Pass this information along to others who have questions.

LWVPRA hopes to see you all at a meeting from 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 24.

Please use this link to register for the event: https://frbminneapolis.cvent.com/c/express/aef522b7-b521-461f-926c-6dde58ed54b6.

If you would like to read the full amendment and the rationale for it, please use this link https://www.minneapolisfed.org/policy/education-achievement-gaps/why-a-constitutional-amendment.

Any questions about this program should be directed to lwvparkrapids@lwvmn.org. You can check out our webpage at https://lwvparkrapidsarea.blogspot.com/ for more information about membership and our full nonpartisan policy.

Two Free Seminars on Redistricting

Announcing:  Paul Huffman, Redistricting Coordinator for League of Women Voters Minnesota will conduct two free seminars on redistricting. As I’m sure you know LWV is VERY concerned about redistricting this census cycle (well, probably every census cycle). The LWV effort is called People Powered Fair Maps. Use the link below to register for this event.

https://www.mobilize.us/plymouthareaindivisible/event/375224/ 

11/7/202: Statement from National League of Women Voters

 

From LWV Park Rapids Board:  A special thank you to all the LWVPRA members and friends who helped people with voting in Hubbard County by registering voters, explaining procedures, putting up signs, talking to their friends & neighbors etc etc. Also a huge Thank You to Hubbard County Auditor and her team including all the election judges for all the preparations, timely information and of course counting all those votes.  Participation like this is what makes our democracy work. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The following statement is from the National LWV website.

11/7/2020

WASHINGTON – League of Women Voters board president Dr. Deborah Turner and CEO Virginia Kase issued the following joint statement on the results of the electoral college count for our next president:

“The American voters have spoken, and we now know the result of the presidential election. We commend the election workers and administrators who helped facilitate the 2020 elections and the post-Election Day counting of ballots under the most challenging of circumstances.

“The 2020 elections saw the most ballots cast in U.S. history. We applaud the will and determination of the American public to participate in elections amid an ongoing pandemic. This unprecedented turnout is a testament to the determination of the American voters and the strength of our democratic system. It is also a testament to the tenacity and power of Black, Indigenous, Latino, Asian, Muslim, LGBTQ+, and young voters who turned out in record numbers demanding their voices be heard. We are truly inspired.

“Voting is our most sacred constitutional right, and elections are our greatest national project. While we know the outcome of the presidential election, there are still hundreds of local and state races yet to be decided. As we await the full results, we respect the process and professionalism of our election administrators. When all votes are counted, all candidates must respect the outcome.

“There will be many lessons learned from the 2020 elections, and we should celebrate our successes, including the expansion of voter access, record-breaking early voting, and the wide-scale use of absentee and mail-in voting options. This is what creating a more perfect union looks like, and we hope to see these expansions become a more permanent part of our voting system.

“The League’s work this year informed and protected millions of voters. The League was instrumental in the ongoing fight to preserve American democracy in a nonpartisan manner even in one of the most partisan and contentious elections in our nation’s history. One hundred years after our organization was founded, we remain committed to our mission of empowering voters and defending democracy.

“As we look to the weeks and months ahead, our nation must begin the process of reconciliation and seek to identify those things that bind us together rather than divide us. In this moment, we must come together as Americans, respect the process, and work toward a peaceful transition of power.

“Democracy defines America, and democracy has prevailed in the 2020 elections.”

###

 

Election News: Returning Ballot Directions from LWV MN

 

Return Ballots On or Before November 3!

 

Due to a federal appellate court opinion, ballots returned after November 3 might not be counted. 

 

Previously, Minnesota had deadline where ballots had to be postmarked on or before Election Day. Now, due to the court opinion, ballots should be received by election officials on or before Election Day. 

 

If a voter plans to return the ballot by hand, it must be returned to the local election office on or before 3 p.m. on Election Day.  (This means the drop box at our Court House also)

 

Therefore, we advise all voters to return their absentee ballots in person before Tuesday, November 3rd at 3 p.m OR to vote early in person before Tuesday, November 3rd. 

 

Voters whose absentee ballots have not yet been accepted may vote in person instead of returning an absentee ballot. Voters whose ballots have not yet been accepted may alternatively choose to vote on Election Day (Tuesday, November 3rd). 

 

IF A VOTER HAS NOT HAD THEIR ABSENTEE BALLOT ACCEPTED BY THEIR LOCAL ELECTION OFFICIALS, THEY SHOULD NOT RELY ON THE POSTAL SERVICE RETURNING THEIR BALLOT IN TIME TO BE COUNTED. VOTERS SHOULD NOT MAIL THEIR BALLOTS AT THIS TIME BECAUSE THE BALLOTS LIKELY WILL NOT ARRIVE IN TIME. BALLOTS ARRIVING AFTER NOVEMBER 3RD, REGARDLESS OF WHEN THEY ARE POSTMARKED, LIKELY WILL NOT BE COUNTED. 

 

Voters can track whether their absentee ballot has been accepted at mnvotes.org/track. If the ballot has been "accepted," no further action is needed. If the ballot is not "accepted," the voter should plan on voting in person (either early or on Election Day) to ensure their ballot is counted. 

 

Read the court opinion here.

 

Read news stories at the following sources:

• Pioneer Press
• Minnesota Public Radio
• Star Tribune
• National Public Radio
• KARE 11
• FOX 9

 

Our Candidate is Democracy

 

 

 According to the Braver Angels website,

“Politics is tough. It always has been. American politics is competitive, thrilling, frustrating – and infuriating. The stakes are high. Issues are important. Outcomes matter. This is why we care, and should care, about our politics.
But do our politics have to be demonizing? Does it have to bring out the worst in us? Do our politics have to destroy the goodwill of our society?  Is the dehumanizing of our fellow Americans something we should accept?”

 

 

We, the members of the Park Rapids Area League of Women Voters, are troubled by the recent actions of some people during this political season.  We have been witnessing interference with peaceful demonstrations and motorcades, reports of gestures, name calling, the theft or destruction of political and non-political signs, to name just a few.   These are all symptoms of bigger issues in our polarized society.  LWVPRA strongly believes that these behaviors detract from the seriousness of our election process and destroy the community.

The League of Women Voters  has always encouraged respectful and civil discourse among people with different political views.  It is through such discourse that voters are educated about candidates’ beliefs and positions.  We do not, however, take partisan positions that support one candidate or one party.  In short, our candidate is democracy.  We support anything that furthers people’s rights to learn about candidates, respectfully express their views, civilly persuade others, and to vote their conscience.

We implore everyone to take the time to study each candidate, make a serious choice and follow the rules.  Then the goal is to count the votes, show respect to all involved and  come together after an election to make the best decisions for this community. We must not tear our community apart before the elections. 

LWV PRA email:  lwvparkrapids@lwvmn.org.
our website: lwvparkrapidsarea.blogspot.com/

Sincerely
League of Women Voters Park Rapids Area

click here for more information on Braver Angels

Click here for more information on LWVMN civil discourse advice 
 

Voting is well on the way in Hubbard County

The Star Tribune has a website with fascinating information on the record number of Minnesota voters who have requested absentee ballots. But with the tracking system that the Secretary of State's team has in place, we can see how many ballots have already been returned..right down to the county level.  

Today: Monday October 12th:  Hubbard County has about 14,020 registered voters:  so far 7,870 absentee ballots have been requested and 2,916 of those ballots have been returned. (note: absentee ballots include anyone who has voted early at the county court house also.)  This is a 291.4% increase in absentee voting from the last election.
Have you made your plan to vote?

Have you made your plan to vote? 

October 13

 

Pre-registration ends for the general election. This year, registering early means you won’t need a witness signature on your absentee ballot! Go to MNVotes.org to register today and request your absentee ballot. 

From October 14th until November 2nd you can register and vote in person at the courthouse.   Or on Nov 3rd you can go to your local polling place, register and vote.  

For more information check out these links:

Voting information for Hubbard Cty 2020 

Full website for statistics from the Star Tribune

Enterprise Article on Absentee Ballots Record