Legislative Update - January 16, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

I hope the beginning of the new year is treating you well. With the 2020 Legislative Session starting on February 11, here’s a quick update as we prepare for our return to St. Paul:

2020 Census Hearings & Town Halls

The 2020 Census is approaching, and as chair of the House Subcommittee on Elections, we’ll be holding informational hearings and events to prepare the public for this important process. The census provides critical data that lawmakers, business owners, teachers, and many others use to provide daily services, products, and support for you and your community. Every year, billions of dollars in federal funding go to hospitals, fire departments, schools, roads, and other resources based on census data. Click here to download a fact sheet with more information, or here to watch a short video.

We’ll be holding an informational subcommittee hearing in Shakopee on Wednesday, January 22, where we’ll hear testimony from the United States Census Bureau, the Minnesota Department of Administration, the Minnesota House Research Department, and the public. This hearing is open to the public, and a full agenda can be found here. If you would like to testify, please contact Amanda Rudolph at amanda.rudolph@house.mn.

We’ll also be holding a Census Town Hall on Monday, February 3, from 6:30-8pm at the Phillips Community Center in Minneapolis, where we’ll be joined by Attorney General Keith Ellison. Stay tuned for more information on the 2020 Census and our upcoming events. 

Legislator Meet & Greet

I’ll be joining Senator Bobby Joe Champion for a Legislator Meet and Greet, organized by residents of The Legacy. We’ll give a brief update on our work at the Legislature, and then we want to open it up to your comments and questions. We hope to see you there!

Legislative Forum on Disability

I was honored to be invited to speak at the Minnesota Council on Disability’s Legislative Forum this week. The Council supports policies that strengthen equity and independence for Minnesotans with disabilities, in order for them to live their best lives in the community and workplace. Some of their platforms for 2020 include increased accessibility to parks, county websites, transportation, dental care services and employment protections. You can learn more about the Minnesota Council on Disability here.

Minnesota Presidential Primary

The year, Minnesota’s presidential nomination process has some significant changes, the biggest being that voters will have the ability to participate in a primary, separate from party caucuses. Minnesota’s Presidential Primary will take place on March 3, also known as Super Tuesday, when multiple states will also be voting for presidential nominees. Early absentee voting begins tomorrow, January 17^th. You can order an absentee ballot or update your voter registration here. Here are some common FAQs on the presidential primary:

When will the presidential nomination primary take place?

• March 3, 2020, with early voting beginning on January 17th.

Will all parties be on the same ballot?

• No, each major party will have a separate ballot.

Will there be a place to write in a choice or vote for “uncommitted”?

• If it is requested by the party chair. Party chairs will need to submit names of write-in candidates to be counted seven days before the primary.

Will any other offices be on the ballot?

• No, only presidential candidates from a major party will appear on the presidential primary ballot. Other offices with a primary will be on the primary ballot in August.

Will parties have to abide by the primary results?

• The presidential primary results must bind the election of delegates in each party.

Will there still be precinct caucuses?

• Yes, precinct caucuses and local and state nominating conventions will still take place to conduct other party business.

If you have any questions about Minnesota’s presidential primary, or voting in general, I highly encourage you to contact the Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State at mnvotes.org or 1-877-600-VOTE to make sure your voice is heard.

Regardless of whether you’re able to make it to any of our upcoming events, please feel free to reach out with any questions you have on the upcoming legislative session. You can reach me at (651) 296-8659, or at rep.raymond.dehn@house.mn. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely, 

Raymond Dehn