The Independence Party of Minnesota took a stand this weekend on gay marriage and whether voters should be required to show ID.
During its state convention in Roseville Saturday, June 23, the party’s delegates voted to pass resolutions against the constitutional amendments that would outlaw same-sex marriage and require voters to present a valid government-issued photo ID in order to receive a ballot.
IP spokesman Matt Lewis said more than 90 percent of delegates for Minnesota’s third major party voted in favor of the marriage resolution, and about two-thirds in favor of the voter ID resolution.
“It’s a great indication of where out membership stands,” he said. “There was no surprise on the marriage issue, but this is the first time we have taken a position on the voter ID amendment.”
Lewis also said the party discussed a general disappointment with using the constitution to pass policy.
The IP also endorsed candidates in 13 legislative races and it will devote volunteer time and fundraising to these.
However, the IP did not endorse a candidate for the U.S. Senate race Saturday, although two candidates sought the endorsement.
Both previous IP candidates, Glen Menze and Stephen Williams filed to run in the August primary and the winner will advance to the general election and likely face incumbent Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar and GOP challenger Kurt Bills.
The delegates did take a vote on their endorsement Saturday, but neither candidate reached the threshold needed in the party’s ranked-voting system to receive the endorsement.
The IP’s strategy is to focus its limited resources on the state legislative races this year, Lewis said, where seats may be more “winnable.”
Although the IP has been a major party in Minnesota since 1994, its sole statewide success was Jesse Ventura’s 1998 win in the governor’s race.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
