The Minnesota Council of Nonprofits' Board of Directors place a high priority on making our nation’s democratic processes work for everyone. Nonprofits need to be engaged in decisions about how and what we do in public arenas to govern and to shape the political and policy landscape. When the processes of representative government work well, everyone has a voice on the issues that affect their lives. Nonprofits, working strategically and together, have the strength and expertise to influence democratic practice in our state and beyond.

Our democracy reform efforts currently focus on these areas:

Election reform

MCN participates actively in the Voting Rights Coalition in Minnesota to work for reforms such as early voting and no-excuse absentee balloting, and educating legislators and the public about the pitfalls of negative proposals like the photo-only mandate.  Read more about our election reform work. 

Redistricting
MCN worked hard to ensure that Minnesota nonprofits engage their constituencies in responding to the 2010 Census to ensure the highest possible count. Based on the count, the state legislature will develop a redistricting plan. MCN has urged that transparency, minority rights, and preserving local government political boundaries be priorities. Read more about our redistricting reform work.

Judicial Independence

MCN supports reforming judicial elections to institute election retention or other policies designed to inhibit the influence of money and politics on judicial selection. MCN has been involved with efforts to maintain an independent judiciary, a core component of the checks and balances in democratic government that is threatened by the recent Supreme Court decision in Citizens United v. FEC and earlier decisions allowing judges to seek political endorsement and receive unlimited campaign support. A constitutional amendment is progressing in the Minnesota Legislature in 2010. Read more about our work supporting judicial independence .