MN HF3184

Minnesota applies to Congress under Article V of the U.S. Constitution to call a national convention for the exclusive purpose of proposing a constitutional amendment to protect free and fair elections and address issues raised by Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010).

Convention delegates shall be comprised equally of individuals currently elected to state and local office or selected by election in each Congressional district, with all individuals elected or appointed to federal office prohibited from serving as delegates.

Minnesota's application is considered together with similar applications from Vermont (R454), California (Resolution Chapter 77), Illinois (SJR 42), New Jersey (SCR 132), and Rhode Island (HR 7670 and SR 2589) toward reaching the two-thirds state threshold required to convene a convention.

The Secretary of State is directed to transmit copies of this resolution to the President, Vice President, Congressional leadership, Minnesota's federal delegation, and presiding officers of all state legislatures requesting their cooperation in applying for the convention.

The resolution seeks to address the disproportional influence of special interests and wealthy donors in campaigns and elections, restoring Congress's intended dependency "on the people alone" rather than on powerful interest groups.