Election Integrity Watchdog Group Sues State Over Voting Related Law

(KNSI) — The State of Minnesota is being sued by an election integrity watchdog group over part of a new voting-related law that took effect in June.

The Upper Midwest Law Center filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of the Minnesota Voters Alliance. They are challenging part of the Democracy for the People Act, saying it’s a First Amendment violation, restricts free speech around election-related issues and could stifle or criminalize political discussions. UMLC Senior Trial Counsel James Dickey alleges the law tells people what they can and cannot say in a political debate, and “our clients should be able to speak their minds on political issues without fearing a lawsuit from a political opponent who falsely accuses them of lying.”

It went into effect June 15th, 2023 and makes it a gross misdemeanor for anyone who knowingly makes materially false statements within 60 days of an election with the intent to keep someone from voting. Anyone found violating this law could be fined or sued by the Attorney General and county attorneys in civil court.

The MVA and other political activists argue political speech should not be criminalized at such a crucial time leading up to an election, and it poses a threat to political discourse, inhibiting the democratic exchange of ideas.

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