Update on Absentee Ballot Witness Signature Litigation
In May, we announced that we had brought a lawsuit against the Secretary of State to drop the witness requirement for absentee ballots in Minnesota.
In mid June, we announced that we had come to a partial agreement with the Secretary of State. We had agreed that the witness requirement for absentee ballots would not be enforced for the 2020 primary election. Our agreement just needed to be approved by the federal judge. Litigation for the November election would continue.
Unfortunately, the federal judge rejected the agreement, stating that he believed the agreement to be too broad. Therefore, our litigation continues.
However, despite the fact that our agreement was not approved by the federal judge, pre-registered voters will not need a witness signature for the 2020 primary election. A state court judge has issued a court order in another lawsuit to this effect. That decision is unaffected by the federal court’s decision.
Voters who are registering to vote at the same time that they submit their ballot by mail will still need a witness to verify their proof of residency.
Our lawsuit continues. We will still fight to ensure voters are protected for the November election.