Senate omnibus elections bill headed to floor

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The Senate’s omnibus elections bill cleared the Finance Committee on Tuesday, but with all Republicans voting against it. The legislation is now cleared to be taken up on the floor.

The Senate bill, authored by Sen. Katie Sieben, DFL-Newport, includes two controversial provisions that are not in the House’s omnibus bill. Sieben’s legislation would authorize early voting during the 15 days leading up to Election Day.  It would also move the primary from August to June.

Both the House and Senate bills contain language allowing voters to cast absentee ballots without providing an authorized reason for doing so.

Republicans didn’t offer any indication why they voted against the legislation during Tuesday’s committee hearing, but they have previously expressed opposition to the early-voting provision. In addition, some Republicans are strongly opposed to moving the primary to June, fearing it will undermine the party endorsement process.

DFL Gov. Mark Dayton has previously indicated that he won’t sign election legislation that doesn’t have bipartisan backing.

Sen. David Tomassoni, DFL-Chisholm, passed when it was his turn to vote. During discussion of the bill, Tomassoni questioned whether restrictions on fundraising by House and Senate members during the legislative session would be lifted if a June primary is adopted.

In response, Sieben pointed out that legislators are free to raise money during the legislative session currently. However, they can’t take money from lobbyists or political action committees — prime sources of campaign cash for most candidates — while the Legislature is conducting business.

The House’s omnibus elections bill is also set to be taken up on the floor.