How MN IS LEADING THE NATION IN DEMOCRACY

President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act of 1965 into law, calling the day ‘‘a triumph for freedom as huge as any victory that has ever been won on any battlefield’’ (Johnson, ‘‘Remarks in the Capitol Rotunda”). The law came seven months after Martin Luther King launched a campaign based in Selma, Alabama, with the aim of pressuring Congress to pass such legislation. In contrast to many states, Minnesota has continued to follow the spirit of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 through laws that make it easy for its citizens to vote and a process for endorsing candidates and developing party platforms that is open to all residents of MN eligible to vote in the November elections.

Tuesday, January 19
6 p.m. - Light supper and social 6:30 p.m. - Program

Cafeteria, Hennepin Technical College, 9000 Brooklyn Blvd. Brooklyn Park

RSVP on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/10051325... or to Carol Woehrer <carolwoehrer@usfamily.net>


Moderator - Jean Maierhofer - Hennepin Technical College Chief Diversity and Affirmative Action Officer


MN’S OPEN ELECTORAL PROCESS invites all its voters to participate in endorsing their political parties’ candidates and policies. Let our speakers introduce you to how it’s done.

How MN is Politically Organized
The Roadmap to MN’s Caucuses and Conventions

With Benjamin Kruse
Founder and Principal Consultant, The Citizen Lobbyist
Former MN Senator, Senate District 47


How Candidates Can Gain a Following
The Importance of Supporters Attending the Caucuses

With Mohamud Noor, Executive Director
The Confederation of Somali Community in Minnesota
2014 Candidate for MN House of Representatives


MN’S LEADING ELECTION SYSTEM - Did you know that MN is recognized by research foundations and nations worldwide as having an outstanding Election System?

MN Secretary of State Steve Simon will explain what MN does to most frequently achieve the highest turnout in the nation, how it maintains the accuracy of its voter database, and why all citizens eligible to vote should be voters. As a state representative, Steve Simon served as the chair of the House Elections Committee in 2013 and 2014 and played a lead role in many of the election reforms that Minnesota has embraced over the last several years.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR LEADERSHIP - Carry on the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King by becoming a leader yourself. You will have an opportunity to sign up to receive notices on ways you can serve in a leadership role in your community. Brooklyn Park City Clerk Devin Montero will explain how you can become an Election Judge. Kirsten Kjome, Co-Chair of the local chapter of the League of Women Voters will describe its new training on organizing and moderating a candidate forum for those interested in sponsoring a forum that addresses questions important to their own Community. Affirmative Action Officer Hollies Winston will explain why it’s important to attend your party’s precinct caucus. Sign up to receive a notice for a nonpartisan caucus workshop so you’ll be ready to participate in your party’s caucus on March 1

Question and Answer Session

Everyone is welcome. High School students are encouraged to attend as students 16 and older are eligible to become election judges, caucus attendees, and candidate forum organizers. The college is located on Brooklyn Blvd., just east of Highway 169. Drive along the right side of the college to the back and park in Student Lot 4. Enter Door J2. The cafeteria will be to your right. For a map, go to:
https://www.hennepintech.edu/about/pages...

Sponsor: Think Again MN, a nonprofit providing opportunities for Minnesotans to engage in civic conversations promoting quality education, justice, equity, and environmental sustainability. The forum is arranged by a host team of Brooklyn Park residents.

Cosponsors: Hennepin Technical College (an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer and educator), the City of Brooklyn Park, and the Brooklyn Park, Osseo, and Maple Grove Chapter of the League of Women Voters.