Process to get an amendment on the ballot:

There are 5 distinct phases to getting a new amendment on the Minnesota State Constitution. It must be voted on and passed by each committee to move on to the next phase.

  1. Go before the:
    Senate     Justice Committe (Chair: Mee Moua, Total Members: 9)
    House Civil Justice Committee (Chair: Joe Mullery, Total Members: 13).
    If passed it moves on to...

  2. Go before the:
    Senate     State and Local Government Operations and Oversight Committee (Chair: Ann H. Rest, Total Members: 11)
    House State and Local Government Operations Reform, Technology and Elections Committee (Chair: Gene Pelowski Jr., Total Members: 19).
    If passed it moves on to...

  3. Go before the:
    Senate Rules and Administration Committee (Chair: Larry Pogemiller, Total Members: 10)
    House Rules and Legislative Administration (Chair: Tony Sertich, Total Members: 25)
    If passed it moves on and is...

  4. Sent to the floor to be voted on:
    Senate 67 members (1 from each senate district)
    House 134 members (2 from each senate district)
    It must pass by a simple majority. If passed it moves on and is...

  5. Put on the state wide ballot to be voted on in Nov. 2012.
    It must pass by 60% off all voters who voted in the election. That means if you vote at the election and do not vote on the ballot question it is the same as voting "NO". Remember to vote!

Let's get it done in 2012!

  • For the first time in nearly 30 years (since 1982 when this bill was first introduced), we have the opportunity to put it in front of the people of Minnesota.
  • With the Equal Protection Clause and the Human Rights Act, only the face of the law is protected, not the outcome.
  • Equal rights should be fully protected and upheld in our State Constitution; because our laws can be overturned--our Constitution can not.

Consider this:

  • The latest Census statistics show that the gap between men’s and women’s earnings widened slightly between 2007 and 2008. (National Committee on Pay Equity)
  • Women are more likely than men to feel the pinch of rising health costs and eroding health benefits, with about half (52%) of working-age women reporting problems accessing needed care because of costs, compared to 39 percent of men. (Commonwealth Fund)
  • “I would say 80% (of colleges) have compliance problems, enough problems that they would technically be in violation of Title IX,” says Valerie Bonnette, a San Diego-based Title IX consultant. (USA Today)

The MN CAFE Coalition is committed to amending our state Constitution to reflect gender equality NOW, not later. We have waited long enough.

Strategy Structure

The strategy for securing equal rights in the Minnesota Constitution is multifaceted and will roughly follow this plan...

  1. We are inviting every Minnesota organization, business, nonprofit, labor union, faith group and individual to become a member of the Minnesota Constitutional Amendment For Equality Coalition (MN CAFE Coalition).

    With a unified, diverse collaboration of members, the Coalition will mount an effective public relations campaign leading up to the 2011 Minnesota Legislative session, including public awareness polling.

  2. The Coalition will develop an effective legislative strategy with House and Senate leadership to ensure passage out of both bodies during the 2011 session. A Constitutional amendment does not have to be approved by the Governor, so if a simple majority in both the House and Senate approves, the amendment can be placed on the ballot statewide in the 2012 elections.

  3. Once placed on the ballot, a significant campaign to educate voters statewide will need to be mounted. Education, communications and public relations will be key to correct any possible false statements and distortions.

Your help is needed! Spread the word and join the Minnesota CAFE Coalition today! Just click on Join Us and fill out the registration form.