Many voters are aware their personal liberties and freedoms are under attack from well-funded conservative and far right groups. Minnesota’s Republican politicians are willing to be influenced by these outsider groups.  The best way to defend your rights and freedoms is to vote for the Democratic judges and politicians who are protecting Minnesota’s Constitution from invisibly-funded, anti-freedom conservative groups.

Let’s consider reproductive freedoms. Minnesota’s Supreme Court recently upheld Minnesota’s Constitution from an anti-choice (aka pro-life) group’s attempt to limit abortion access. This is a victory for Minnesota citizens and reproductive freedom. However, such victories are only possible with progressive judges and politicians committed to Minnesota’s Constitutional freedoms.

Let’s consider homeowner rights. The Minnesota Supreme Court also recently overturned a state law which allowed organizations to repossess a home, sell it, and keep a profit beyond the sum owed them. Now, thanks to the court’s action, if the forced resale of a house creates a profit, the profit goes to the former homeowner, not the repossessing organization. This is a victory for citizens who have lost their home due to debt, misfortune, or circumstances beyond their control. The deciding case involved 94-year-old Geraldine Tyler, who had lost her home due to a small amount of unpaid taxes. Strong, fair-minded courts and judges helped Ms. Tyler receive her fair share of the forced sale of her house.

Let’s consider health care costs.  In May 2023, Democratic Governor Walz signed a law requiring Minnesota health insurers to retain coverage of over 100 forms of preventative care. These forms of care were legally mandated by the Obama-era Affordable Care Act, but that part of the ACA had been recently overturned by high ranking conservative judges in federal court system.  Governor Walz made sure that in Minnesota people still got their health care.

Let’s also consider health care procedures and costs.  Minnesota Democrats haven’t taken their eye off of protecting Minnesotans from conservative judicial decisions that steal freedoms. Commissioner of Commerce Grace Arnold states, “In the complex world of health policy and insurance regulation, the Department of Commerce stays laser-focused on caring solutions that keep all Minnesotans healthy or save them money.” Arnold continued, “The good news is those solutions also are products of old-fashioned Minnesota common sense. Common sense tells us, for instance, that charging for lung cancer screenings or screenings for conditions like gestational diabetes will put them out of reach for many hard-working families.” 

This election season, don’t forget how judges and courts impact freedoms in your daily life. Voting Democratic means voting for your own freedom and choice. This season, be a Democratic voter, even for that judge or Democratic politician you’ve never heard of.