Smart Politics will live blog a conference on Minnesota elections administration this morning sponsored by the Center for the Study of Politics and Governance. The conference includes panelists such as Vice President Walter Mondale, Secretary of State Mark Ritchie, and Congressman Jim Ramstad. From the CSPG website:

The Minnesota Tradition of Fair Elections
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
9:30 – 11:45am
Cowles Auditorium
Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs

The close contest for U.S. Senate has given rise to challenges and questions by the campaigns of Senator Norm Coleman and Al Franken. The war of words between the campaigns has raised concerns about the fairness and credibility of Minnesota’s election process. The truth, however, is that Minnesota’s administrative and judicial process for elections is among the most respected in the country. Vice President Walter Mondale, Congressman Jim Ramstad, and former Elmer Andersen aide Tom Swain are joined by national and regional experts to examine the Minnesota tradition of fair elections.

Schedule:

9:30-10:30am: The Minnesota Gold Standard
· Edward B. Foley, Professor, Moritz College of Law, Ohio State University and Director, Election Law @ Moritz
· Mark Ritchie, Secretary of State, Minnesota
· Joe Mansky, Ramsey County Elections Manager, Ramsey County
· Moderator: Lawrence R. Jacobs, Professor, Humphrey Institute, University of Minnesota

10:30-10:45am: Break

10:45-11:30am: The Minnesota Tradition of Fair Elections
· Vice President Walter Mondale
· Congressman Jim Ramstad
· Tom Swain, former Chief of Staff to Elmer Andersen
· Moderator: Lori Sturdevant, Editorial Writer/Columnist, Star Tribune

11:30-11:45am: Strengthening Minnesota’s Tradition of Excellence in Elections Administration
· Rachel Smith, Anoka County Elections Manager and lead on the Elections Administration Project at the Humphrey Institute

Posted in Minnesota

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