2016 Legislative Interview – Legislator’s Copy

Legislative interviews give League of Women Voters members an opportunity to get acquainted with legislators and to learn their opinions on a few issues. We hope this will help local Leagues build a strong working relationship with their senators and representatives.

LWV Minnesota’s advocacy work: Over many years LWV Minnesota members have developed positions on a variety of issues through an intensive process of study and consensus. LWV Minnesota members advocate for those positions at the Legislature and other levels of government. Positions are available at

This year LWV Minnesota Action Committee members are following a number of issues, including election law, campaign finance law, state finance, education, health care, the environment, immigration, firearms and judicial selection.

Local League Advocacy: Provide a brief overview of any issues of particular concern to your local league.

2016 Legislative Session

In our conversation, we hope to learn more about your hopes and expectations for the upcoming legislative session. In particular, we would like to talk about:

If they are new to the Legislature –

  • What inspired you to run for the Legislature? What do you hope to accomplish?

For new and returning legislators -

  • What will be your top three priorities for the 2016 legislative session?

B)Elections and voting rights:

i)What is your position on voting by citizens living in the community on probation or parole for a past felony conviction? Would you support legislation to restore their voting rights once their prison term is concluded?

ii)Presently, the only way a voter can cast their ballot early is via an absentee ballot but the ballot is not immediately counted. What is your position on early voting as a voter option in Minnesotawhereby two weeks prior to Election Day, a voter would be able to show up in person to cast their ballot and have it counted the moment it is received, just like on Election Day?

iii) Political action committees and other independent spenders are playing a stronger role in election campaigns since the Citizens United decision. Do you believe changes in Minnesota campaign finance laws and practices to disclose contributorsare warranted in light of this trend?

C)Bonding Bill:

  1. What size bonding bill would you support for this session?
  2. What would be your priority projects for the bonding bill?
  3. Is there a local project that you would support for the bonding bill?

We would also like talk specifically about the issues that LWV Minnesota or our local LWV are working on this session which are of particular concern to our local members. Others issues may come up during the discussion. (See template for suggestions on what to include.)

1)(insert issue here)

2)(insert issue here)

Thank you for your time! LWV Minnesota has been active in Minnesota for over 90 years. Our members bring not just a dedication to good government and citizen participation, but local leagues also have a wealth of information and contacts within their membership. Whether or not we agree or disagree on a particular issue, we hope that you will see us as a resource for you in your job as legislator and as a source for informed, civil dialogue about the issues we all care about.