ST. PAUL -- The Senate unanimously approved moving the Minnesota primary election to August, a month earlier than under current law, to comply with federal requirements to give soldiers and other overseas Americans more time to vote.
The Monday vote followed an overwhelming recent House vote, sending the bill to Gov. Tim Pawlenty's desk. Pawlenty on Monday said he would sign the bill if it did not contain extraneous provisions.
Secretary of State Mark Ritchie, who administers elections, hailed the bill's passage as an important "step to make sure our soldiers and all Minnesotans can vote."
While Minnesota primary turnout traditionally is low, Ritchie said that with lots of money expected to be spent this year, at least in the Democratic governor's race, 2010 turnout could be better than usual.
Politicians say August is a time of low political interest, so short of a hot race turnout can be expected to be low.
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In 2008, 419,474 Minnesotans voted in the primary election. Nearly 3 million voted in the November general election.
Up to 100,000 Minnesotans typically are overseas at election time, Ritchie said, but even during a high-interest election like in 2008, just 16,000 voted.
Puck talk
Sunday's Olympic gold medal hockey game overshadowed other issues Monday as Canada's consul general for the Upper Midwest addressed Minnesota lawmakers.
Martin Loken apologized for Canada's win, and praised Minnesota for sending more Olympians than any other state.
House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher, DFL-Minneapolis, welcomed Loken, saying "the events of the last 24 hours notwithstanding," the two countries have close ties.
Loken agreed: "For well over 100 years Canada and the United States have been the closest of neighbors and friends."
Haiti tax break
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The House on Monday followed the Senate's lead and unanimously passed a measure allowing Minnesotans filing income tax returns now to deduct donations to Haiti earthquake relief from last year's taxes.
Without the bill, Minnesotans would need to wait a year before receiving the deduction.
Davis reports for Forum Communications Co.
