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State Representative Ryan Winkler
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-7026
For more information contact: Michael Howard 651-296-8873
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Winker responds to Governor’s Irresponsible, Unfounded Claims on Voting
Saint Paul, Minnesota - State Rep. Ryan Winkler responded to comments by Governor Tim Pawlenty and a report by a conservative political group alleging that felons voting swung the 2008 U.S. Senate election to Al Franken. Winkler said that while illegal legal voting is a serious issue, the hysteria being fanned by some on the conservative fringe is not.
“Minimal evidence suggests that felon voting in Minnesota is widespread and zero evidence suggests an election was swayed as a result," said Winkler. “County officials are investigating claims of illegal voting, as they should. Minnesotans deserve an honest discussion about what has been done and what more should be done to maintain fair and secure elections in Minnesota.”
Every year local election officials review court data and other information to determine if felons voted. In Ramsey County for example, about 50 cases per election are referred to the county attorney for investigation. To close loopholes for felon voting, the Secretary of State’s Office has for years requested the Department of Corrections to share data in order to red flag felons before they register to vote. During his tenure, Governor Pawlenty never asked the Department of Corrections to comply.
“If the Governor wanted to do something to stop felons from voting, it would have been as simple as picking up the phone or signing an order,” said Winkler. “In eight years he didn’t lift a finger.”
Secretary of State Mark Ritchie proposed legislation in 2008 to require the Department of Corrections to provide this information to the Secretary of State’s office. The provision was opposed by Republicans and vetoed by the Governor in 2009. In 2010, Ritchie worked with Democrats and Republicans to included this provision in its bipartisan election administrations bill that was
signed into law.
“This new law should better enable the Secretary of State’s office to identify felons who are ineligible to vote on the front end,” said Winkler. “It will also help our cash strapped court system by limiting voter fraud cases on the back end.”
In addition to Governor Pawlenty's irresponsible comments, State Representative Dan Severson released a statement about the report saying that “Voter ID” legislation would solve this problem. Winkler said that claim is absurd.
“Many, many felons have a state-issued identification card, so the 'Voter ID' proposal would do nothing to prevent felons from voting,” said Winkler. “Anyone who makes such a claim is either uninformed on election law or simply has political motives.”
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