INFORMATION 06-20-2011 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

INFORMATION FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Patricia Turgeon (651) 201-1332 Secretary of State Mark Ritchie Says Possible Shutdown Could Devastate Essential Business and Election Services for Minnesotans St. Paul, Minn.-June 16, 2011-Today, Secretary of State Mark Ritchie described the impact of a possible shutdown of business and election services, provided by the Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State. "The Office of the Secretary of State provides vital services to individuals and businesses all across the state. Their loss, even temporarily, would be devastating to Minnesota," said Secretary Ritchie. If there is a government shutdown on July 1, 2011, and all or part of the Office of the Secretary of State is shutdown, Minnesotans who would be negatively impacted include: • Entrepreneurs may not be able to start a new business during the shutdown. • Parents seeking to adopt a baby abroad may lose that opportunity. • Voters who choose to register to vote or request an absentee ballot via our office during the shutdown may be disenfranchised. • Farmers needing crop and livestock loans during this growing season will not have access to our central notification system. Secretary Ritchie concluded: "The loss of these important business and election services would create a major disruption in the lives of Minnesotans. We must do everything in our power to avoid a shutdown." ### Editor's Note: See additional background information below on the impact of a potential government shutdown. Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State: Information on the Impact of a Potential Government Shutdown Business Re4istrations. Entrepreneurs who are interested in starting a new business could not register properly as a business. Without proof of an original filing or an updated filing, businesses cannot open bank accounts, commence business, or structure their business to avoid personal risk. Minnesotans interested in starting a business cannot aggregate capital and solicit investments in order to undertake the business of their choice. These Minnesotans also might not be able to get bank financing, purchase property, or structure themselves as they wish for tax purposes. Election Administration. Voters could face multiple barriers as a result of a possible shutdown. This is particularly important where there is a primary election, because absentee balloting begins on June 24, 2011. There are local elections in Minnesota every month during the rest of 2011. If the statewide voter database (SVRS) is unavailable to local election officials, voter registrations would not be processed, absentee ballots could not be efficiently administered, and polling place roster files could not be generated. The statewide voter database automatically sends newly registered voters postal verification cards (PVCs). Without access to this functionality, it would be very difficult for local election officials to