I grew up reading comic books wanting to be a superhero. Comics taught me that those who speak the truth are heroes, all the rest are liars.

Monday, September 11, 2006

Mary Kiffmeyer - Primary Shmimary

Yes, she has done it again! After another letter and press conference by Mark Ritchie, Mary Kiffmeyer (you know the one who is supposed to be the current Secretary of State) fixes another oversight (well mostly). This letter basically calls for the Secretary of State to fully state the oath the legislature called for.

After Mark Ritchie’s letter Mary Kiffmeyer sent out a memo to the county auditors which includes most the language the legislator insisted on, however, instead of implementing this change automatically, or at least as instantly as she could, she says that the new language will be printed on the rosters after September 11th. This means instead of reprinting the Rosters with the proper Oath for the Primary Election, the old oath - the one which does not comply with state statues will stay on the rosters and be the oath primary voters swear to.

I guess Mary does not think that Primary elections are all that important. Now that is what I want to see in a Secretary of State, someone doesn’t bother to make sure the rules are followed in our elections. This is shameful and plain lazy.

Now, gentle reader, you may say - well, it may take time for all this to happen, maybe she had to hand out some coffee to someone, or go shoot off a cannon - you know the important stuff. So, just in case you are wondering what the proper oath on the rosters for primary voters should be, here it is in full:

I certify that I am at least 18 years of age and a citizen of the United States; that I reside at the address shown and have resided in Minnesota for 20 days immediately preceding this election; that I am not under guardianship of the person in which the court order revokes my right to vote; have not been found by a court to be legally incompetent to vote, and that I have the right to vote because, if convicted of a felony, my felony sentence has expired (been completed) or I have been discharged from my sentence; and that I am registered and will be voting only in this precinct. I understand that giving false information is a felony punishable by not more than five years imprisonment and a fine of not more than $10,000, or both.

If this one is in place at your polling location, you can thank the local office for going the extra mile, and Mark Ritchie for bringing attention to it - just not Mary Kiffmeyer, who doesn’t think primary elections are important enough to have proper Oaths to swear to. I am glad at least Mark believes in the value of Oaths.

Oh, and even though she did try to do what Mark wanted (and the laws says), she didn’t fully update the oath either, here is what it should say - maybe Mark will have to send her another letter...

According to Senate File 2743, the sections on guardianship and felony status should be changed so that they read as follows:

that I am not under a guardianship of the person in which the court order revokes my right to vote; and that I have the right to vote because, if convicted of a felony, my felony sentence has expired (been completed) or I have been discharged from my sentence.

It may not be that big of a change, but ehhh, its just an Oath right?

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