Supreme Court Preview: Minnesota Voters Alliance v. Mansky

Today the U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments in the case of Minnesota Voters Alliance v. Mansky. The case is a challenge to a Minnesota statute that says that a “political badge, political button, or other political insignia may not be worn at or about the polling place on primary or election day.” LWVUS filed an amicus brief in this case with the Brennan Center for Justice and the League of Women Voters of Minnesota.

This amicus brief that the League filed argues that the law is put in place to safeguard the right to vote. People should be able to vote without fear of harassment or disruption at a polling place. Voting is our most sacred right and regulating the speech inside of polling places is necessary to protect the integrity and fairness of the voting process. The brief also urges the court to adopt a targeted approach and not strike down the statute in its entirety if it feels the law is unconstitutional.

This case stems from a 2010 incident where a voter who wore Tea Party paraphernalia to a polling place and was asked to remove those items, in accordance to a century-old Minnesota law, in order to cast a ballot.

Arguments in this case are being heard today, February 28. The League will provide updates when a decision is reached in this case. The Justices have until the end of the court term in June 2018 to announce their opinion.