What a nice surprise to see my new Minnesota state legislators profiled in todays NY Times. Yes, Minnesota Disctrict 56, front and center.

Woodbury Three in NY Times

The article calls them the Woodbury Three. Woodbury, MN is where I live, and I was pleased to help contribute and door-knock for these Democtratic (or DFL in Minnesota) candidates last fall, and see them beat three incumbent repubs who were typical right-wing nuts.

I live in Woodbury, MN, a suburb of the Twin Cities, in MN-6 district- hopefully soon home of Rep. Patty Wetterling. This week I received the innocuous monthly Woodbury City Update, this issue with lots of voting information including Polling sites, how to vote absentee, and how to register to vote. For those who do not know, Minnesota is the rare state that allows registration on election day. To register, you obviously need some ID to show you live in the precinct you want to vote in- even a utility bill is fine. Even without written proof, you can have a currently registered voter "vouch" for you- that is tell the election official that you know this person lives in your precinct.

I was surprised that this Woodbury Update had a sentence that said, "All voters should be prepared to provide an updated Minnesota driver's license (with Woodbury address) on election day."

I received this by email today. Seems part was posted last week, but this version has more entries. Good enough to be re-posted in new and improved form.

To the citizens of the United States of America,

In the light of your failure to elect a proper President of the USA and thus to govern yourselves, we hereby give notice of the revocation of your independence, effective today. Her Sovereign Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will resume monarchial duties over all states, commonwealths and other territories. Except Utah, which she does not fancy. Your new prime minister (The Right Honourable Tony Blair, MP for the 97.85% of you who have until now been unaware that there is a world outside your borders) will appoint a minister for America without the need for further elections. Congress and the Senate will be disbanded. A questionnaire will be circulated next year to determine whether any of you noticed. To aid in the transition to a British Crown Dependency, the following rules are introduced with immediate effect:

Just got home from voting. I was surprised to be asked to show a drivers license at the poll. As someone already registered, no ID is needed in Minnesota. I said that I never remember being asked to show an ID before, though I could show mine if needed, and the worker asked to see it again.

THIS IS WRONG!

To vote here, we sign by our name which is an oath that we are who we say we are and legally qualified to vote. It is a bit of an honor system, and actually a little odd that no ID is required, but that is the law.

I read all the signs at the poll, and none stated that ID was required (though is needed to register at the poll, I was already registered).

I called Minnesota DFL hotline 1-888-424-2004 to report this problem. They will look into the matter with the county election official.