NEW YORK, NY – Check out the first Get Out the Why video submission! Jacob Wheeler caught up with Representative Keith Ellison (DFL-MN) to ask why we vote on Tuesday?

Although Rep. Ellison supports moving Election Day to the weekend, he did not know the answer. In all fairness to the Congressman, most people have no idea why Election Day is on Tuesday.

Some background. Rep. Ellison represents Minnesota’s 5th congressional district. He is a member of Minnesota’s Democratic Farmer-Labor Party. When Rep. Ellison took office in 2007, he became the first muslim to be elected to the United States Congress and the first African-American elected to the House from Minnesota.

Thank you for the great video, Jacob Wheeler! Keep asking the tough questions!

Posted in Election 2010, Election Reform, Get Out The Why?, Minnesota, Why do we vote on Tuesday?, WT? Correspondents | Comments Off

Why Tuesday? Board Member Norman J. Ornstein

We’ve explored Minnesota’s fine track record of civic engagement and why they lead all states in voter turnout here.

Recently, Why Tuesday? Board Member Norman Ornstein gave an in-depth talk about the nuts and bolts of our voting system and the need for election reform at the Hubert Humphrey Institute at the University of Minnesota.

Yesterday, Minnesota Public Radio ran much of Professor Ornstein’s talk — including his shout-out to Why Tuesday? and his mention of Senator Bill Nelson’s election reform plan — at midday. Click here, or Professor Ornstein’s photo at right, to listen to his talk on Real Player.

Posted in Election Reform, Minnesota | Comments Off

The U.S. Election Assistance Commission is an independent, bipartisan commission created by the Help America Vote Act of 2002. It will be holding a public meeting in Minnesota on the 16th. The EAC is operates the federal government’s first voting system certification program and is charged with making sure HAVA is executed-as-planned. They also adopt voluntary voting system guidelines that are, well, voluntary, and, according to their website, provide “best practices and resources to election officials throughout the nation.” (more…)

Posted in Election Reform, HAVA, Minnesota, Voter ID requirements | Comments Off