Presidential primary plan receives another House committee OK

The move toward a presidential primary election in Minnesota took another step Monday as the House Ways and Means Committee approved HF3549 and referred it to the House State Government Finance Committee.

Sponsored by Rep. Tim Sanders (R-Blaine), the bill would establish a presidential primary election, which would be in place during the 2020 presidential race. While similar to an earlier bill Sanders held an informational hearing on several weeks ago in the House Government Operations and Elections Policy Committee he chairs, HF3549 has several differences.

Perhaps the most significant is the change from an “open” primary system, where voters don’t have to declare party affiliation, to a requirement in HF3549 that would oblige voters to certify their agreement with the party in whose primary they choose to vote. This declaration would be recorded and available in the public record.

Rep. Pat Garofalo (R-Farmington) offered an amendment to remove that provision from the bill, but it was defeated by a 13-10 vote.

A companion, SF2985, sponsored by Sen. Ann Rest (DFL-New Hope), awaits action by the full Senate.