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Pulling back the curtains on wage-theft enforcement in MN; Trump's latest attack is on RFK, Jr; NM LGBTQ+ equality group endorses 2024 'Rock Star' candidates; Michigan's youth justice reforms: Expanded diversion, no fees.

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Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg says rebuilding Baltimore's Key Bridge will be challenging and expensive. An Alabama Democrat flips a state legislature seat and former Connecticut senator Joe Lieberman dies at 82.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

Time Running Short for MN Absentee Voters After Ruling

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Monday, November 2, 2020   

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- In the final days of the 2020 election cycle, Minnesota officials are trying to bring clarity to voters following a last-minute court decision concerning absentee ballots.

Late last week, a federal appeals court said absentee ballots arriving after Election Day should be set side amid a legal fight.

There's disagreement between the state and conservative groups on whether Minnesota should have established a seven-day grace period for those ballots because of the pandemic.

Steve Simon, Minnesota Secretary of State, urged anyone who requested an absentee ballot but hasn't returned it to hand-deliver it to a designated location before 3:00 p.m. on Election Day.

He stressed mailing it in is no longer a realistic option.

"It is too late for you, practically speaking, to get it back," Simon emphasized. "Don't risk it. Don't put it in the mail."

Besides hand delivering a ballot, you also can vote early in person today. Or, you can vote traditionally on Election Day at a polling location.

Simon added right now, he doesn't plan to appeal the decision to the U.S. Supreme Court, and the focus is on getting the message of urgency to voters.

Last week's ruling doesn't automatically mean ballots received after the deadline will be invalidated, but it casts doubt on whether they will be counted.

Despite the late ruling throwing Minnesota's vote into chaos, Simon noted Minnesota has a strong history of participating in elections, and he's confident the state will overcome a number of factors in 2020.

"That includes a once-in-a-century pandemic, and that includes a last-minute judicial ruling," Simon stated.

If someone already mailed in their ballot prior to last week's ruling, they can track whether it was received by going to MNVotes.org.

If it hasn't been received by now, those voters can follow through on the other remaining options.


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