Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka
Speaker of the House Melissa Hortman
Senator Mary Kiffmeyer, Chair, State Government Finance and Policy and Elections Committee 
Rep. Raymond Dehn, Chair, Subcommittee on Elections 

Dear Sen. Gazelka, Rep. Hortman, Sen. Kiffmeyer, and Rep. Dehn,

No matter where we live or the color of our skin, Minnesotans value participating in civic life. We are especially proud that our democracy is robust in Minnesota and we take our right and responsibility to vote seriously. 

Minnesotans know that we will pull through this COVID-19 crisis by pulling together. As clergy, imams, and religious leaders across the state we call on state legislative leadership to ensure that our elections do not leave anyone behind. 

We urge you to act now to ensure that no Minnesotan has to choose between their health and their civic rights and responsibilities in elections this year. We also urge you to consider the health of those who volunteer to run our elections. 

This time of crisis is a time to pull together. Nothing reflects pulling together more than Minnesotans working hard to protect the rights and safety of every citizen’s neighbor’s vote. 

We call on legislative leaders to: 

  1. Authorize the Minnesota Secretary of State to authorize a vote by mail election and send every registered voter a ballot.
  2. Maintain the opportunity to vote in person safely. With vote by mail we can safely vote with fewer polling places and practice appropriate physical distancing while giving Minnesotans the option and security to vote in the way that makes sense for them. 
  3. Allow the Secretary of State to use the federal funds Minnesota has been allocated to cover the cost of these changes, including assistance for local authorities to administer these changes. Expanding vote by mail while maintaining polling places will be an increased expense on the system overall and on counties, which is why the federal government already acted to ensure the costs would be covered. The legislature needs to do what 49 other states have done, and ensure that the money can be used to ensure that every citizen can cast a ballot safely.

We trust that you share the values of protecting the ability of every eligible Minnesotan to cast their vote safely and expeditiously. We know you also are concerned about the health of the public in the midst of this pandemic. The great uncertainty of the current public health crisis is unprecedented in our lifetimes. We urge you to take urgent action now, during regular legislative session, to ensure our democracy is protected so the will of the people may prevail in November.  Thank you for your timely consideration of this matter, and as always, thank you for your service to the people of Minnesota. 

Signed by,1

Rabbi Aaron Weininger

Adath Jeshurun Congregation, Minnetonka

Rev. Abigail Henderson

Minnesota Conference of the United Church of Christ, Minneapolis 

Rev. Adam Blons

Macalester Plymouth United Church, St. Paul

Rabbi Adam Stock Spilker

Mount Zion Temple, St. Paul

Mr. Alan Fiene

Prairie Community Church Evangelical UCC, Lester Prairie

Rabbi Alexander Davis

Beth El Synagogue, St Louis Park

Elder Alexander Wildar

High Praise Ministries

 Peter Schattauer

Advent Lutheran Church, Maple Grove 

Rev. John Gabrielson

Atonement Lutheran, St. Cloud

Rev. Clark Cary

Bethel Lutheran Church  Northfield

Deacon Nancy Maeker

Bethlehem Lutheran Church-Twin Cities

Rev. Steven Delzer

Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Minneapolis 

Rev. Amy Wick Moore

The United Church of New Brighton

Deacon Dr. Julie Beck

Braham Lutheran Church

Rev. Andrea Johnson

MN Valley UU fellowship Bloomington 

Rev. Andrew Davis

Union Presbyterian Church, Saint Peter

 Baird Linke

Calvary Lutheran Church, Edina

 Angela Stewart

ISAIAH

 Carole Joyce

Carole Joyce Mount Olive Lutheran Rochester

Rev. Dr. Anita L. Bradshaw

Mayflower United Church of Christ, Minneapolis 

 Ralph Baumgartner

Christ Lutheran Church on Capitol Hill, Saint Paul

 Kristie Hennig

Christ Lutheran Church on Capitola Hill, St. Paul

 Anne Attea

Church of Ascension, Minneapolis

 Anne Attea

Church of the Ascension, Minneapolis

Rabbi Arielle Lekach-Rosenberg

Shir Tikvah, Minneapolis

 Arline Datu

Saint Thomas More Catholic Church, Saint Paul

 John Schwehn

Christ the King Lutheran Church, New Brighton

Imam Asad Zaman

Muslim American Society of Minnesota

 Susan Vikstrom

Christ the River of LIfe Lutheran Church, Minneapolis

Rev. Barbara Byers

Unity Church-Unitarian, Saint Paul

 Barbara Martin

Union Congregational United Church of Christ, St. Louis Park 

 Katelyn Rakotoarivelo

Concordia Lutheran Church of Pickerel Lake, Albert Lea 

Pastor Corey Lange

Dilworth Lutheran Church, Dilworth 

Rev. Bill Miller

Bethesda Care Center, Willmar

 Bob Lindhart

Our Saviors, Austin

Rev. Bonnie Forsman

Mayflower United Church of Christ, Minneapolis 

Pastor Jon Nelson

Ebenezer & Tripolis Lutheran Parish, Kandiyohi

 Susan Weaver

Edina Community Lutheran, Edina

 Carla Johnson

Luther’s Church of the Redeemer, St.Paul

 Joan Conroy

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America 

Rev. Carolyn Fure-Slocum

Carleton College Chapel, Northfield

Rev. Carolyn Hendrixson

Mayflower United Church of Christ, Minneapolis 

Rev. Cary Eustis

MHealth Fairview,University of Minnesota Medical Center,Chaplain/Chaplain Educator

Rev. Dell Sanderson

Faith Lutheran Church, Morris

Rev. Chris McArdle

First Congregational Church (United Church of Christ), Anoka

Rev. Salim Kaderbhai

Faith Lutheran, Madelia, MN and Our Saviour’s Lutheran, Lake Crystal, MN

Dr. Christian Collins Winn

Colonial Church

 Christian Briones

Mayflower United Church of Christ, Minneapolis 

 Gwen Hermanson

First Lutheran Church in Saint Peter

Rev. Christine Beebe

St. Johnís Episcopal Church, Mankato 

 Christine Sorensen

Church of the Risen Savior, Burnsville

Rev. Cindy Mueller

St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, St. Paul

Rev. Cj Valenti

Zion Evangelical Luthearn Church, Minneapolis

Rev. Nathan Roberts

First Lutheran Church of Columbia Heights, MN

 Clay Oglesbee

United Methodist Clergy

 Coqui Conkey

Associated Church, Owatonna

Rev. Sharon Bridges

First Lutheran Church, Alexandria 

Rev. Corinne Freedman Ellis

Macalester Plymouth United Church, St. Paul

 Corinne Smith

Cannon Valley Friends Meeting, Northfield

Rev. Cynthia Riggin

Lynnhurst Congregational United Church of Christ, Minneapolis

Father Dale Korogi

Church of the Ascension, Minneapolis

Rev. Dale Stuepfert

Mayflower United Church of Christ, Minneapolis 

 Dan Miglets-Nelson

Christ Episcopal Church, Woodbury

Rev. Dan Doering

People of Hope, Rochester

Rev. Dana Mann

1st Congregational United Church of Christ, Mankato

Pastor Alexis Huseby

First Lutheran Church, Columbia Heights

Rev. Daniel Belgum

First Lutheran Church, Morris

 Jeanette McCormick

First Lutheran, Worrhingtom

Rev. Daniel Crandall

Belgrade Avenue UMC

 David Hahn

St Joan of Arc Catholic Community, Minneapolis

Rev. David Landt

David Landt, Mills Church, Minnetonka

Rabbi David Steinberg

Temple Israel, Duluth 

Rabbi David Locketz

Bet Shalom Congregation, Minnetonka

 Kristina Hill

Glen Cary Lutheran Church, Ham Lake

Rev. Deborah Blue

House of Mercy, St. Paul

Rabbi Debra Rappaport

Shir Tikvah Congregation, Minneapolis

Rev. Dee Pederson

Director for Evangelical Mission, St. Cloud

Pastor Javen Swanson

Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Saint Paul

Rev. Bradley Schmeling

Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, St. Paul

Dr. Diana Robertson

Mayflower United Church of Christ, Minneapolis 

 Dianna Diers

First Universalist Church Minneapolis 

Rev. Don Fulton

Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, St. Paul

 Donald Crumbley

Barbershops Creating Change In The Community 

Rev. Donna Draeger

United Methodist Church of Minnesota

 Anita C Hill

Grace University Lutheran Church, Minneapolis

 Jenny Mason

Grace University Lutheran Church, Minneapolis

Rev. Douglas Donley

University Baptist Church, Minneapolis

 Dr. Charvez Russell

Greater Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, Minneapolis 

 Earnest Bolin-Johnson

High Praise Ministries The Destiny Center, Minneapolis 

 Jonathan Buuck

Grace University Lutheran Church, Minneapolis

Rev. Eily Marlow

Macalester College, Saint Paul

 Elicia Bridges

High Praise Ministries The Destiny Center, Minneapolis 

Rev. Eliot Howard

Linden Hills United Church of Christ

 Mary Halvorson

Grace University Lutheran Church, Minneapolis

Sister Eman Haymour

Muslim American Society, Blaine 

Rev. Emily Goldthwaite Fries

United Church of Christ

Rabbi Emma Kippley-Ogman

Macalester College Center for Religious and Spiritual Life

Rev. Tom Von Fischer

Grace University Lutheran Church, Minneapolis

Rev. Amanda Simons

Gustavus Adolphus Lutheran Church, St. Paul 

Rabbi Esther Adler

Mount Zion Temple, Saint Paul

 Faye Mattison

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Mankato, Mankato

Rev. Fernando Ortega

St Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church in NE. Minneapolis

 Gaye Sorenson

Christ on Capitol Hill

Rev. Gregory Gilbert

St Paul Metro in Hospice 

Rev. Daniel Bowman

Hawk Creek Lutheran Church, Sacred Heart

Pastor Michael Mandsager

Highview Christiania Lutheran Church, Farmington

Hannah Campbell Gustafson

Plymouth Congregational Church, Minneapolis

Rev. Ingrid Rasmusen

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Minneapolis

Imam Hassan Mohamed

(SMIC) South Metro Islamic Center 

Rev. Howard Bell

Mayflower United Church of Christ, Minneapolis 

 Iman Jafri

Carleton College Chapel, Northfield

Rev. Ronald Duty

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Minneapolis 

 Andrew Tengwall

Hope Lutheran Church, Saint Paul

 Jackie Falk

Jackie Falk, Chaplain St. Louis County Jail Pilgrim UCC, Duluth

 Jaddie Edwards

Kingdom Life, Minneapolis

Pastor Gretchen Rode

House of Hope Lutheran Church, New Hope

Fr. James Radde

Ascension, Minneapolis

Rev. James Gaughan

United Methodist Church of Minnesota

 Jamieya Bolin-Johnson

High Praise Ministries the Destiny Center, Minneapolis 

Rev. Jan Wiersma

Rochester Friends Meeting, Rochester

Rev. Jan Skogstrom

Mayflower United Church of Christ, Minneapolis 

Minister JaNae’ Bates

Camphor Memorial United Methodist Church, Saint Paul

Rev. Jane McBride

First Congregational Church of Minnesota, UCC, Minneapolis

Jane Wells

SINT Mary’s Episcopal Church, Saint Paul

The Rev. Jane Geffken Henderson

retired UCC minister 

The Rev. Janet MacNally

St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church, Roseville, Minnesota

Rabbi Jason Klein

Temple Israel, Minneapolis

Rev. Ben Whalen

House of Prayer Lutheran Church, Richfield

Rev. Ben Sandin

House of Prayer Lutheran Church, Richfield 

Rev. Christa Forsythe

Immanuel Lutheran Church, Atwater

Rev. Joel Gueningsman

Immanuel Lutheran Church, Clara City 

Rev. Phyllis Bentley

Immanuel Lutheran Church, St. Paul

Rabbi Jill Crimmings

Bet Shalom Congregation, Minnetonka

Pastor Kathy Robey

Immanuel Lutheran, St Paul 

Rev. Denise Fossen

Kerkhoven Lutheran Church 

Rev. Myrna Nelson

Lutheran Church of the Redeemer – St. Paul, Minnesota 

Trudy Cretsinger

Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, Saint Paul

Dr. James Erlandson

Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, St. Paul

Rev. Sharon Scott

Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, St. Paul

Pastor Stephanie Stoessel

Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, St. Paul

 John Cole

St. Andrews Episcopal Church

Rev. Lyle Nelson

Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, St. Paul, Minnesota 

 Jon Anderson

Southwestern Minnesota Synod. 

Rev. Stan Olson

Member of Grace University Lutheran Church, Minneapolis

Les Svendsen

Member, Central Lutheran Church, Minneapolis

Rev. Sue Engh

Member, Grace University Lutheran Church, Minneapolis

The Rev. Joy Caires

St. Clementís Memorial Episcopal Church, St. Paul

Pastor Elizabeth Damico-Carper

Memorial Lutheran Church, Afton

 Julia Gibson Reeves

Dunamis Praise Chapel Intl, Brooklyn Center

Michael Troutman

Michael Troutman, Our Saviours Lutheran Church, Minneapolis

Pastor Justin Ask

ELCA

Dr. Karen Wills

MUUSJA- MN Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Alliance 

 Karen Davidson

First United Church of Christ, Northfield

Rev. Karen Larson

Zwingli United Church of Christ, West Concord

Rev. Dr. Karen Sellers

Mayflower United Church of Christ, Minneapolis 

Rev. Kaye Mills

Minnehaha Communion Lutheran Church, Minneapolis, MN

Rev. Kate Payton

Glendale United Methodist Church, Savage

Rev. Joel Bergeland

Mount Olivet Lutheran Church of Plymouth, Plymouth

Kathleen Hansen

Oak Grove Presbyterian Church, Bloomington 

Rev. Kathryn Nelson

Peace United Church of Christ, Duluth 

 Charles Ruud

Mount Olivet Lutheran Church, Minneapolis and Victoria

 Kay Slama

Social Justice Co-Chair, Unitarian Universalist Church of Willmar, Willmar

Mark Kopka

Nordland Lutheran Church, Paynesville 

 Mark Wegener

Oak Grove Lutheran Church, Richfield

Rev. Rolland Mark Swanson

Oak Grove Lutheran Church, Richfield 

Rev. Kevin Brown

Minnesota Conference UCC, Minneapolis

Rev. Brice Eichlersmith

Oak Grove Lutheran, Richfield

The Rev. Kayla Monson

Oak Knoll Lutheran, Minnetonka

Rev. Kristin Maier

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Northfield

The Rev. Karsten Nelson

Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, St Paul

Pastor Lauren Baske Davis

First United Church of Christ, Northfield

Pastor Tim Maybee

Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Circle Pines

Rev. Laurie Bushbaum

Minneapolis, Retired Unitarian Universalist  

Rev. Lawrence Richardson

Linden Hills Congregational United Church of Christ, Minneapolis

 Leah Rosso

First UMC of the St. Cloud Region, Sartell

Pastor Tim Maybee

Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Circle Pines

Rev. Leslie Moughty

First Congregational United Church of Christ, Brainerd

Rev. Lindsay Conrad

First Presbyterian Church, Mankato

Rev. Lisa Bodenheim

United Church of Christ, Prescott, WI

Rev. Lisa Larges

Lake Nokomis Presbyterian Church, Minneapolis

 Lisa Amman

St Thomas More Catholic Church 

 Liz Liebenstein

Presbytery of Northern Waters; Chaplain at the Benedictine Living Community, Duluth

Rev. Luke Stevens-Royer

First Unitarian Universalist Church, Rochester, MN

 Amy Blumenshine

Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, Minneapolis

Rev. Margo Richardson

First Congregational Church of Minnesota

Pastor Joel Abrahamson

Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, Minneapolis

Rev. Dr. Laurie Eaton

Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, Minneapolis

Martha Farhat

Quaker Meeting, Minneapolis 

Pastor Martha Bardwell

Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, Minneapolis

 Martin A M Erickson III

Mayflower United Church of Christ, Minneapolis 

Pastor Jennifer Rome

Pilgrim Lutheran Church, St. Paul

Rev. Mary Shaffer

Mayflower United Church of Christ, Minneapolis 

Rev. Mary Rowe

St. Christopherís Episcopal Church, Roseville,MN

Rev. Mary Hovland

Bethesda Grand Carr Centet, Chaplain

 Matt Rohn

First UCC, Northfield

Rev. Matthias Peterson-Brandt

Cherokee Park United Church

 Meg Ojala

First UCC Northfield, Northfield

 Melissa Miller

Our Lady of Grace, Edina

Deacon Rhonda Hlavinka

Salem English Lutheran Church, Uptown Minneapolis

 Michael Resman

Rochester Friends Meeting

Rabbi Michael Latz

Shir Tikvah Congregation, Minneapolis

Rev. Eric Hoffer

Salem Lutheran Church, North Minneapolis

Rev. Korla Masters

Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church, Prior Lake

 Randall Romsdahl

St James Lutheran in Crystal

 Joyce Graue

St John’s Lutheran Church, Raymond

 Deb Rubash

St Johns Lutheran, Shakopee

 Nancy Storm

New Spirit United Church of Christ, Savage

Rev. Nancy Brown

Abbott Northwestern Hospital, Minneapolis   

Pastor Jackie Cook

St Paul’s Lutheran,  Hector 

 Nathan Holst

Peace United Church of Christ, Duluth

Rabbi Norman Cohen

Bet Shalom Congregaton, Minnetonka

Rev. Oby Ballinger

Edina Morningside Community Church, Edina

 Ole Olson

United Faith Community UCC Buffalo

 Orlin Mandsager

Highview Christiania , Farmington

Pastor Hans Jorgensen

St Timothy Lutheran Church, St Paul

Rev. Dr. Jill Rode

St. Anthony Park Lutheran Church, St. Paul

Father Paul Feela

Lumen Christi Catholic Community, Saint Paul

Rev. Allan Negstad

St. James Lutheran Church, Crystal

Rev. Paul Bauch

Peace United Church of Christ, Rochester

 Peggy Roeske

First Presbyterian Church of White Bear Lake

Rev. Penelope Tower

Mayflower United Church of Christ, Minneapolis 

 Penny Herickhoff

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Mankato

Rev. Amanda Sabelko

St. John’s Lutheran Church, Kasson

 Jonathan Davis

St. John’s Lutheran Church, Northfield

Rev. Pam Fickenscher

St. John’s Lutheran Church, Northfield 

Rev. Ali Ferin

St. Michaelís Lutheran Church, Roseville

Rev. Randy Johnson

First United Methodist Church of the Saint Cloud Region, Sartell

 Rev Nancy Anderson

Mayflower United Church of Christ, Minneapolis 

 Rev. Dr. Rebecca Voelkel

Lyndale United Church of Christ, Minneapolis

 Reverend Sharon Prestemon

Minnesota Conference United Church of Christ

Rev. Jonathan Nerdig

St. Paul-Reformation Lutheran Church, Saint Paul

 Rhonda Niola

Christ on Capitol Hill

Rev. Richard Sellers

Mayflower United Church of Christ, Minneapolis 

Rev. Rick King

Falcon Heights Church, United Church of Christ, Falcon Heights

Rev. Rita Capezzi

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Mankato

Rev. Robert Keehn

First Congregational Church, Alexandria

Pastor Patrick Shebeck

St. Paul-Reformation Lutheran Church, Saint Paul

Rev. Stacie Lightner

St. Paul-Reformation Lutheran Church, Saint Paul

Rev. Ruth MacKenzie

First Universalist Church of Minneapolis

 Sahra Odowa

Samaha Islamic Center, Shakopee

Rev. Ed Stuart

St. Paul-Reformation Lutheran Church, St. Paul 

Rev. Sarah Campbell

Mayflower United Church of Christ, Minneapolis 

 Shameem Khan

Shameem Khan

Imam Sharif Mohamed

Islamic Civic Society of America, Minneapolis

Rev. Sharon Prestemon

Conference Minister/CEO, Minnesota Conference United Church of Christ

 Erik Rundquist

Svea Lutheran Church,  Svea

Kelly France

Swedlanda Lutheran Church, Hector

Rev. Shodo Spring

Mountains and Waters Alliance, Faribault

Rabbi Shoshana Dworsky

Beth Jacob Congregation

Dr. Siri Erickson

Office of the Chaplains, Gustavus Adolphus College

Sohnma Greenfield

Sohnma Greenfield, Minneapolis, St Andrew’s Episcopal Church

Sister Arthur Wiese Wiese

Trinity Lutheran Church, Benson

Rev. Dorothy Wolle

Trinity Lutheran Church, Madelia

 Ann Agrimson

University Lutheran Church of Hope,  Minneapolis

Rev. Ann Beane

University Lutheran Church of Hope, Minneapolis

Rev. Dorothy Abrahamson

University Lutheran Church of Hope, Minneapolis

 Sue Budd

St.Joan of Arc Catholic Community, Minneapolis

Rev. Jen Nagel

University Lutheran Church of Hope, Minneapolis

 Paul Graham

Vang and Dennison Lutheran Parish, Dennison

Rev. T Michael Rock

Robbinsdale Parkway United Church of Christ, Robbinsdale 

Rev. Terri Burnor

Unitarian Universalist Church of Minnetonka, Wayzata

Rev. Dr. Theodore Kunze

Chaplain, Ecumen Pathstone Living, Mankato

Rev. Dr. Theresa Mason

Camphor Memorial United Methodist Church, St. Paul 

Rev. Dane Skilbred

Vinje Lutheran Church, Willmar

 Tim Farrell

St Thomas More Catholic Community

Rev. Miriam Samuelson-Roberts

Westwood Lutheran Church, St. Louis Park

Rev. Todd Lippert

United Church of Christ, Northfield

Pastor Myron Crawford

Yellow Medicine Lutheran Church, Hanley Falls, MN

Rev. Travis Norvell

Judson Memorial Baptist Church, Minneapolis

Rev. Christian Muellerleile

Zion Lutheran Church, Litchfield

 Vanessa Bradby

Olivet Congregational Church, St. Paul

Rev. Vicki Wunsch

Saint Anthony Park United Church of Christ

Rev. Victoria Safford

White Bear Unitarian Universalist Church, Mahtomedi

Brother Walid Shadi

Muslim American Society, Blaine 

Rev. Warren Sazama

St. Thomas More Catholic Parish, St. Paul

1 Organizational affiliations for informational purposes only