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John,
Memorial Day weekend is here, and we’re taking a moment to reflect—and also to look ahead. Before we head into the long weekend, we want to remind you about an exciting event just around the corner.
On June 11 , we’ll be hosting A Vaccine for Democracy 2.0 , featuring FairVote Minnesota board member and renowned epidemiologist Dr. Michael Osterholm . We’re thrilled to announce that he’ll be joined in conversation by fellow RCV champion Dr. Marc Gorelick , CEO of Children’s Minnesota.
With a growing list of co-hosts and renewed energy for reform, this event is shaping up to be something special. Don’t miss it— reserve your ticket today and help us spread the word!
RSVP [[link removed]]
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Legislative update
The 2025 legislative session formally adjourned last Monday without passage of a budget bill, meaning a special session will be required to complete the budgeting process.
On the policy front, as we shared earlier, the RCV Local Option bill, along with several other pro-democracy measures, did not gain traction in the divided legislature. However, the Elections Omnibus bill did include several modest but meaningful wins: improvements in campaign finance disclosure and additional funding for the Secretary of State’s office to support election administration.
Importantly, several harmful proposals did not advance. Efforts to ban Ranked Choice Voting, defund the Political Contribution Refund program, and restrict absentee voting all failed to advance—a testament to strong public support and persistent advocacy.
We’ll return with a more detailed update following the special session.
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Honoring George Floyd by continuing the work of a multiracial democracy
Sunday marks five years since the murder of George Floyd on a street corner in Minneapolis—an event that shook the world and sparked a renewed call for racial justice, police accountability, and lasting structural change.
We remember George Floyd not only as a catalyst for protest, but as a reminder of the urgent work still ahead. The movement that rose up in the wake of his death called for more than justice in one case—it called for a reimagining of what our democracy can be: inclusive, representative, and rooted in the dignity and voice of every person.
At FairVote Minnesota, we believe that achieving racial justice requires building a democracy that reflects the full diversity of our communities. That means a political system where every vote counts equally, where barriers to participation are dismantled, and where people of color have real power in the decisions that shape their lives.
Ranked Choice Voting is not a cure-all—but it is a structural reform that helps create space for new voices, more accountable leadership, and coalition-building that reflects the complexity of who we are. It is one of many tools we must pursue to build a truly multiracial democracy.
We honor George Floyd by continuing to fight for a system that values every person’s voice—and ensures it matters at the ballot box and beyond.
Visit the Sahan Journal [[link removed]] for a list of commemorative events this week.
The intersection of Chicago Ave and E 38th St [[link removed]]
Photo by Chad Davis
Honoring Service by continuing the work of democracy
This Memorial Day, we pause to remember and honor the countless service members who gave their lives to win, protect, and expand American democracy. From the Revolutionary War to the Civil War to World War II and beyond, Americans have fought not only for their own freedoms but for the promise of liberty and justice for all.
As we mark this day of remembrance, we also recommit ourselves to carrying that legacy forward—by continuing the work of building a democracy that truly includes and empowers everyone. After this long weekend, we’ll be right back at it: fighting to ensure that every voice counts and every vote matters.
We hope you have a meaningful and restorative Memorial Day—and that you return recharged and ready to join us in this vital work.
Team FairVote Minnesota

FairVote Minnesota
550 Vandalia Street, Suite 210
Saint Paul, MN 55114
United States
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