The Minnesota Supreme Court heard arguments Thursday in a high-profile case that involves efforts to keep former President Donald Trump off the state's primary ballot. It mirrors similar efforts elsewhere in the country over his actions on Jan. 6, 2021.

One key question tied to the case is whether Trump is responsible for inciting the insurrection, and if those actions conflict with a clause under the 14th Amendment.

David Sturrock, a professor of political science at Southwest Minnesota State University, said another question is whether states have the authority to make the determination - and whether they want to set a major precedent.

"The courts generally err on the side of allowing voters to have choices," said Sturrock. "They're reluctant to tell voters or election officials, 'No, you can't include a candidate's name on the ballot.'"

He said that factor weighs heavily, while acknowledging these are uncharted waters and that it's reasonable to question Trump's actions on Jan. 6.

Court observers have said the justices appeared skeptical of the arguments from petitioners. Their attorneys have contended Trump engaged in rebellion against the U.S. Constitution and that the 14th Amendment is worded to keep "insurrectionists" from taking office again. A similar case is unfolding in Colorado.

According to Sturrock, another thing to consider is the potential fallout if the courts side with the plaintiffs who want Trump removed from the ballot.

"It makes it all the easier the next time for either party to come after a member of the other party on trumped-up charges," he said. "And the easier you make it to use a tool, the more likely the more hotheaded members are to use it."

He said that's evident now in Congress, as some members try to censure their colleagues over matters not deemed worthy of such discipline. Sturrock said another challenge facing petitioners in Minnesota is a time crunch ahead of the primaries, especially if these cases wind up before the U.S. Supreme Court.


get more stories like this via email

A close primary race in Washington state is highlighting the issue of vote splitting and how ranked choice voting could provide a solution.

The Commissioner of Public Lands' race is still too close to call more than two weeks after the election and could be heading for a recount. It is a top two primary, meaning the two highest vote-getters will go on to the general election.

Tony Ivey, political and civic engagement manager for the advocacy group Washington Conservation Action, said it has created an odd situation where the majority of Washingtonians voted for Democratic candidates, but two Republicans could face off in November.

"We became very concerned about the potential of vote splitting," Ivey explained. "While Washington voters heavily support climate-friendly candidates and heavily support climate action, we could end up with a situation where, despite the majority of voters selecting a climate friendly candidate, two non-climate friendly candidates could end up in the general election."

Ivey pointed out it could have been avoided by using a ranked choice voting system to let voters rank the candidates who aligned with their views.

Ranked choice voting is catching on across the country, including in Washington, where Seattle will implement the system in city primary elections in 2027.

Nilu Jenks, political director for the nonprofit FairVote Washington, said not every city or county in the state can do it, which is why her organization has been pushing the legislature to pass a local options bill. She argued a ranked-choice system would engage more voters.

"In a time when we're finding voter participation is dropping, I hope to see more people embrace ranked choice voting," Jenks emphasized. "One, we can avoid vote splitting and see people's preferences actually show up on the general ballot, but two, where voters feel like their voice matters."

Ranked choice voting has faced opposition, including from Secretary of State Steve Hobbs, who said the system is too confusing and would create accessibility issues.

But Ivey rejected his assessment, saying ranked-choice would actually do the opposite.

"What we see is that ranked choice voting makes our system more democratic," Ivey stressed. "It better reflects the will of the voters and it's very easy."


get more stories like this via email

The Democratic National Convention in Chicago is buzzing with energy and several Hoosiers are there on the ground, ushering in Vice President Kamala Harris' presumed nomination.

Derek Camp, chairman of the Allen County Democratic Party and a delegate to the convention, said Hoosier voters are concerned about ensuring women's reproductive rights.

"One of the tings I hear the most back home is Indiana is reproductive rights -- a woman's right to choose as well as birth control -- those are very important and high on the minds of a lot of voters back home in Indiana," Camp explained. "It's certainly something that Donald Trump has made clear that he is going to remove."

Camp sees voter enthusiasm growing in Indiana, especially among young people who are stepping forward to get involved knocking on doors and becoming party precinct chairs. Camp pointed out he has not seen this kind of energy in Indiana since 2008 when President Barack Obama was elected to his first term. It was also the first time since 1964 Indiana chose a Democrat for president.

While the historic nomination of Kamala Harris at the top of the Democratic ticket sizzles, Camp noted Democrats are also thankful for the years of service from President Joe Biden.

"What he also has done and shown yet again is he has got decades of service to his country and to his community," Camp stressed. "And by understanding that the best thing for this country is him stepping aside and passing the baton to the very capable Vice President Harris who will make history herself. "

The Indiana delegation is being led by former U.S. Sen. Joe Donnelly, who recently stepped down as U.S. ambassador to the Holy See. By the close of the four-day convention, Indiana's 88 delegates will have played a key role in nominating Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as the Democratic candidates for the 2024 presidential election.


get more stories like this via email

The Democratic National Convention in Chicago kicked off last night with huge crowds and the biggest delegation, some 500 strong, hails from California.

The group is especially enthusiastic about nominee Kamala Harris, since she served the people of the Golden State for decades as district attorney in San Francisco, state Attorney General and then U.S. Senator before becoming vice president.

Rusty Hicks, chair of the California delegation, talked about the historic nature of the convention.

"It's an opportunity for Democrats across the country to come together to get ready to help elect the first Black-South Asian woman President of the United States," Hicks pointed out. "Especially being from California, it's a special night in so many ways."

Hicks noted California has been a leader on many issues that are being highlighted at the convention, including reproductive freedom, LGBTQ+ rights, climate change, the fight against poverty and the role new immigrants play in keeping the economy strong.

Even though California is traditionally a blue state, all but certain to send its electoral votes to Harris in November, Hicks stressed the real battle is to take back control of Congress.

"In order to retake the House of Representatives, we've got to win seats in California and those seats will be won by a handful of votes," Hicks predicted. "The work that we've been doing on the ground has been focused on winning close, tough elections."

Early voting in California is about six weeks away. The first ballots will be mailed on Oct. 7.


get more stories like this via email