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BREAKING NEWS: Court Rules that Late Minnesota Ballots May NOT Be Counted
Breaking News via CNN
The 2-1 ruling -- a win for the Republican challengers to the state's plans -- cuts off a weeklong window after Election Day where state officials had planned to receive ballots that had lingered in the mail. The court found the Minnesota secretary of state's accommodation went against a state law that said ballots delivered by mail to elections officials after 8 p.m. on Election Day should be marked late.
"The Secretary's instructions to count mail-in ballots received up to seven days after Election Day stand in direct contradiction to Minnesota election law governing presidential elections," the ruling stated.
The 8th US Circuit Court of Appeals urged voters to consider voting in other ways, because the court has not yet decided if votes that come in via mail after Election Day are legal.
"Better to put those voters on notice now while they still have at least some time to adjust their plans and cast their votes in an unquestionably lawful way," the appeals court said in its ruling.
What does this mean for you?
- This ruling does not affect absentee ballots that have already been received by election offices, or that will be received on or before Election Day.
- Minnesota voters can turn in their absentee ballots at designated drop-off locations by 3 PM on Election Day.
- Voters can vote in person even if they have requested an absentee ballot.
- If you've already mailed your absentee ballot, you can track its progress online, and you'e allowed to vote in person if it has not been received by Election Day (if you choose to do this, only your in-person vote will be counted).
- Remember to use our interactive voter guide to find the pro-life, pro-family candidates on YOUR ballot.
The Christian and the Ballot Box
With election week less than a week away, many of us are being regularly reminded, sometimes with more ads than we ever hoped to see, of the importance of voting. We are blessed to live in a nation where we have the right to vote and this is not something to take lightly! At the same time, as Christians, we should keep in mind that we are first and foremost citizens of heaven. How should this dual citizenship affect the way that we approach voting? In a recent Twitter thread, Joe Rigney, a pastor at Cities Church in St. Paul and professor at Bethlehem College and Seminary, offered some helpful principles to consider as we approach election day.
1. Voting is largely a matter of prudence.
Voting is largely a matter of prudence,” writes Rigney. “However, prudential doesn’t mean amoral. It means that, given the complexities involved, we must engage in moral reasoning to arrive at what is good & wise in our voting decisions.
2. It is possible to sin while voting.
It’s possible to sin in voting. We might sin in our motives, in the fear or pride or hatred which animates our voting decisions. We might sin by formally or materially cooperating with the evil that a candidate does or promises to do.
A candidate’s policies matter and we should carefully weigh those policies when we make our voting decisions because we should not formally cooperate with evil (that is, intentionally supporting a candidate because of an immoral policy he or she supports) nor should we materially cooperate with evil (intentionally supporting a candidate who supports evil policies while telling ourselves that an evil policy they support is not a big deal.) We should not, for example, become complicit in murderous abortion policies through our vote. But as Rigney points out, this is not the only way we can sin in our voting. We can also sin by voting out of pride, fear, or hatred. It’s important to consider motives in voting because, while your vote matters, your relationship with God matters much more. (CONTINUED....)
Continue reading at The Family Beacon
Fighting “Freedom Fatigue:” Why Religious Freedom Matters More Than Ever
It seems that some Christians have “freedom fatigue.” I recently heard someone say, “I’m not sure if Christians should really be so concerned about religious freedom. It seems kind of selfish, and I think it hurts our witness.” This sentiment is growing increasingly common, both from Christians who have honest questions about the importance of religious freedom, as well as from opponents of religious freedom who criticize religious freedom cases as nothing more than a “weapon” for “control.
Our political engagement should always be driven by humble faith in God and love, not by fear and resentment or a desire to “get what we deserve.” But this does not mean that seeking to preserve religious freedom is a selfish endeavor or that Christians cannot speak up when religious freedom is threatened. Quite the opposite. Religious freedom is a matter of justice and as such, we should speak up to defend it.
When considering the value of religious freedom, we should make sure we understand what religious freedom is. Luke Goodrich, a religious freedom attorney for Becket Religious Fund offers the following definition: “[R]eligious freedom is a basic issue of biblical justice, rooted in the nature of God and the nature of man.” Humans are created for relationship with God. If the government interferes with that, either by coercion or by taking away the right to worship freely and practice one’s beliefs, they are committing an injustice by demanding that we render unto Caesar what belongs to God. Desiring justice is not selfish, because justice is not reserved for select groups. Supporting religious freedom means supporting religious freedom for all. (CONTINUED...)
Continue reading at The Family Beacon
Did you know that our Voter Guide will show you every pro-life, pro-family candidate running for state and federal office in your area? Use mnfamilyvoter.com to see exactly which candidates will be on your ballot, and where they stand on the issues.
Together for Good, a Christian nonprofit in the Twin Cities that comes alongside children and parents experiencing crisis, is hosting its first virtual fundraising event on Saturday, November 14.
CONTEND: A FREE conference for parents, family and friends of those dealing with same-sex attractions.
Topics included:
A Kingdom Perspective of Parents
The Satanic War on Parents
Finding Freedom from the Blame and Shame of the Enemy
Understanding Trauma and the Brain
God’s Higher Vision for Your Child
The Building Blocks of Attachment
Kingdom Tools to Fight for Your Child
Also:
Powerful Testimonies and
Extravagant Worship
Email: [email protected] for more info and to register.
**Conference is being held in the Twin Cities. Get location information when you register.
Educating and Equipping Parents on the Transgender Trend
Get Your Copy of the Minnesota Parent Resource Guide! The Parent Resource Guide sheds light on the consequences transgender ideas have on kids' lives, while equipping parents to play a positive role in creating a truly welcoming school community.
Responding to the transgender trend with truth and compassion starts with the Parent Resource Guide. Get your copy HERE today and invite a friend to do the same! Click to order your copy today:
Support MFC When You Shop Online
Did you know that when you shop with Amazon Smile, Amazon makes a donation to Minnesota Family Institute at no cost to you? This is one of the easiest ways to support our mission of advancing life, family, and religious freedom in Minnesota!
You can support our mission while you shop by clicking here (smile.amazon.com/ch/41-1439560) or with AmazonSmile ON in the Amazon Shopping app and AmazonSmile donates to Minnesota Family Institute.
Thank you for sharing Minnesota Family Council’s vision for strong families and communities through Christ. As we approach a momentous election, we need your support now more than ever. Click here to give now. We are grateful for your partnership with us through prayer and financial support.
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