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Eric Black Ink

Yet another update on the coming change in MN's political calendar

By Eric Black | 10/23/09

Just keeping you up to date. The U.S. Senate has now accepted the conference report on the Defense Authorization Bill (the House did so previously, so this is final congressional action).

The bill, which Pres. Obama will surely sign, establishes a new deadline for mailing absentee ballots to soldiers and other absentee voters overseas. The effect, for reasons I won't bore you with again, will be to (pretty much) force Minnesota to move up the date of its traditonal September primary to at least August. The Legislature could move it up further, but the smart betting is on the second Tuesday in August, effective in 2010.

I favor moving it up, but mid-August does strike me as poor choice of an election date. What think?

Comments (3)

Submitted by Jane B McWilliams on October 23, 2009 - 10:02pm.

I say the earlier the better!

Submitted by Hugh Gitlin on October 24, 2009 - 10:41pm.

I'm a fan of June. It's before summer vacations start.

Of course, June will never pass. Incumbents would be afraid of having their primary opponent doorknocking while they are in St. Paul for the short session.

Submitted by William Hansen on October 26, 2009 - 4:49pm.

August would be unfortunate because it is the peak of vacation season. Many Minnesotans are out of state, or at least at the cabin. I'm not sure if there are political implications (i.e. Republicans more likely to vacation out of state?), but at the least it is non-inclusive.

I suggest the first Tuesday after the 4th of July. Tourism and travel dips statewide for the week after the 4th. I think people tend to stick around home on the 4th for reunions, company picnics and community events. Then, they go back to work for a week or so before they shift into vacation mode.

This date would also retain the traditional parade appearance for candidates. Most candidates hate it, but I think it is an important part of campaign tradition.