Kiffmeyer and Hatch Back-Pedal

Pawlenty on Board

Having had time to review the Independence Party’s petition to the Supreme Court, the three highest-ranking officials in Minnesota all agree that Independence Party candidates should be on the November ballot. This does not rectify the joint action of Kiffmeyer and Hatch who used their constitutional offices to control ballot access.

After six years in office, Secretary of State Kiffmeyer should have attempted to clean up contradictory election law such as Statute 204D.10, Subdivision 2. Instead of lying in the weeds to pull 26 major party candidates off the ballot, Kiffmeyer should have clarified this law well before the primary,. She claims she had no choice but to apply the law this year. Regardless of the “archaic” computer system she inherited, Kiffmeyer could have applied the law in 2000 by simply using an Excel spread sheet or even a calculator.

“The 'nice guy' act doesn’t play with me. You don't take a baseball bat to our head and then tell the public you hope we stop bleeding.” says Independence Party chair, Jim Moore. “Kiffmeyer was wrong. Hatch didn’t correct her. The result: Independence Party candidates are all in complete limbo and nine days after the primary, no candidates are certified.”

After the Canvassing Board met on Wednesday, Kiffmeyer certified the primary results but did not certify any candidates of any party for November’s general election. What is she waiting for?

“This is precisely why the Secretary of State should be a non-partisan office,” said Moore.

Released 9/23/04

Prepared and Paid for by the Independence Party of Minnesota, PO Box 40495, St. Paul MN  55104   (651) 487-9700