posted on Oct, 25 2002 @ 12:14 PM
the weird and wonderful, and possibly wicked, ways of Minnesota are not a new phenomenon: there was much hubbub concerning both Gore and Nader in the
2000 elections, in this context, for example.
Minnesota pretty much follows the US norm in formal criteria; but then it has -it's not unique -this "instant registration wheeze and this is
apparently most effective with student registration.
The rules are less than stringent:
A current Minnesota driver�s license, learner�s permit, Minnesota identification card, or receipt for any of these with your current address.
A student photo ID card, registration or fee statement with the student�s current address in the precinct, or only the student photo ID if you are on
a student housing list on file at the polling place.
A photo ID without current address together with a utility bill that contains your name, current address within the precinct with a payment due date
within 30 days of the election. Acceptable photo ID�s are: MN driver�s license, MN State ID, U.S. passport, military ID or college ID. Acceptable
utility bills are: cable TV, electric, gas phone, sewer, solid waste or water.
A previous registration in the same precinct but at a different address.
A "notice of late registration" postcard.
The oath of someone who is registered in the precinct where you live to vouch for you at the polling place. A voter who registers by this method may
not confirm the residency of another voter on the day of the same election.
very odd -very student biased.
And pretty tough that last clause.
With very little expenditure -relatively -and even less violence - it's probably the easiest state to manipulate.
And that is exactly what Estragon thinks is happening here - a recently arrived student from the other end of the Union can cancel the vote of a
lifelong Minnesotan- and a notional third party can swing it to either of the big two: very surreptitiously..
Three cheers for democracy!