Minnesota Lawmakers Weigh Ballot Measure to Insert Transgender, Abortion Rights in State’s Constitution

Minnesota Democrats fear the laws will be restricted if Republicans retake political control.
Minnesota Lawmakers Weigh Ballot Measure to Insert Transgender, Abortion Rights in State’s Constitution
A view outside the Minnesota State Capitol building, in Minneapolis, Minn., on June 20, 2020. Stephen Maturen/Getty Images
Beth Brelje
Beth Brelje
Reporter
|Updated:
0:00

Minnesota lawmakers on Monday advanced a plan to let voters decide if two complicated issues should be written into the state Constitution: prohibiting transgender discrimination and protecting reproductive rights.

In a split vote, the House Committee on Rules and Legislative Administration moved the Minnesota Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) out of committee. The single bill covers both issues. Next it will go to the floor for a House vote. If approved, it will move to the state Senate. The measure does not require a signature from the governor. With Senate approval, the next stop would be on the 2026 General Election ballot for Minnesota voters to decide. If approved by voters, it would go into effect in January 2027.

Beth Brelje
Beth Brelje
Reporter
Beth Brelje is a former reporter with The Epoch Times. Ms. Brelje previously worked in radio for 20 years and after moving to print, worked at Pocono Record and Reading Eagle.