Election day is here, and if you haven’t already voted early or mailed in your absentee ballot, make sure that you go out and vote so that your voice is heard! And if you’re one of the thousands of people who are assisting with the voting process and ensuring everything runs smoothly, take solace in knowing that Minnesota has passed new laws to help keep election officials safe.
Ahead of the election, Minnesota lawmakers passed a couple of laws that were aimed at ensuring a peaceful election process. One such measure, drafted by Rep. Emma Greenman, DFL-Minneapolis, which was later passed in a larger bill and signed by Gov. Tim Walz, prohibits threatening or harassing election workers, or disseminating personal information about election workers, which is known as doxxing. Other provisions in the bill make it illegal for any non-qualified individual to tamper with ballot boxes, voting equipment or voter registration systems.
As one would expect, the bill protects all poll workers, regardless of their party affiliation.
Significant Penalties
And while some incidents could rise to the level of a felony based on specifics, violators won’t just get a slap on the wrist for more mundane issues. The criminal violations will be processed as a gross misdemeanor, which is punishable with fines up to $3,000 and up to a year in jail. Additionally, public officials are able to file a civil lawsuit against offenders to prevent ongoing or potential violations.
While this election seems a little more politically charged than most, Greenman says she believes things will run smoothly at the polls today.
“If both voters and the folks around the polls are doing what they should do, it shouldn’t change their experience at all,” Greenman said. “What it should do is provide a layer of comfort and a layer of security that says Minnesota law, and frankly Minnesota lawmakers, have their back.”
So get out there are vote, and make it a peaceful process for everyone involved. And if you end up charged with an election-related crime (or a more common crime like a drug or traffic crime), reach out to Avery and the team at Appelman Law Firm today at (952) 224-2277.
