Planned Parenthood Advocate

Planned Parenthood: Obama Reelection, Minnesota Triumphs Are ‘Resounding Victory For Women, By Women’

President Obama’s reelection – and the state-level successes in Minnesota – are a historic victory for women’s health, according to the Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota Action Fund (PPMNSAF).

“This is a resounding victory for women – and by women. More than ever before, women’s health was a decisive issue in this election. Minnesotans voted to ensure that women will have access to affordable health care and be able to make their own medical decisions,” said Sarah Stoesz, President of the PPMNSAF.

Minnesota Same-Day Voter Registration Information - It’s Not Too Late!

All the discussion about voter registration and voter ID laws can be confusing. The Minnesota deadline to pre-register to vote was October 16. It’s not too late to register to vote. Minnesota allows voters to use same-day registration to vote. According to the MN Secretary of State, over 500,000 people used same-day registration in 2008. In fact, around 61% of voters in Minnesota have used same-day registration at some point.

Minnesota allows voters to register on Election Day at their polling place. Same-day registration isn’t just for new voters. If you were previously registered to vote but have moved, changed your name or have not voted for four consecutive years you will need to use same day registration. Also, if you received a notice of late registration from your county auditor or city clerk you will need to use same day registration. Minnesota provides a helpful voter registration lookup to check your registration.

Find out if you're registered here. 

If you need to use same day registration, you will need to provide proof of residence. There are a variety of ways through which you can do so.

Here's what to bring.

In addition, if you live in a nursing home, veterans home, group housing, homeless shelter, battered women’s shelter, or transitional housing you can still register to vote! An employee of the facility you live in can vouch for your residency through a written form.

Are you worried about getting to the polls? For some facilities (like nursing homes) the law allows you to designate someone to bring you a ballot. You will need to fill out a request form and the links are provided below.

Residential Facility Registration

Residential Facility Voting

So what’s all this about voter ID? The ballot for the 2012 election will include a proposed amendment to change the Minnesota Constitution. Voters will decide whether to change the constitution or to leave the constitution the way it currently is. Voting registration and procedures will remain the same for the 2012 election. However, if passed, these changes would severely impact future elections, including ending same-day voter registration. It would change how you vote, who can vote, and increase the financial cost of elections.

Voter Restriction Amendment Impact On Future Elections

Planned Parenthood Stands with President Obama

Thanks to President Obama, being a woman is no longer a pre-existing condition—Cecile Richards

With both the Democratic and Republican National Conventions having reached their conclusion, each party has demonstrated to the electorate where they stand on the issues facing our nation.  In this election, more so than any other in recent history, women’s issues have risen to the forefront of the campaigns’ attentions, and it has never been more critical to stand behind the candidates who are standing with women. In this election, that’s President Obama.  

When Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards spoke at the DNC, she reminded us of how President Obama has been a faithful ally to women: signing the Lily Ledbetter Act, increasing access to birth control without co-pay, and ensuring no woman will be denied coverage for a pre-existing condition. 

These views stand in stark contrast to the Romney-Ryan ticket.  Having vowed to “get rid of” Planned Parenthood, to repeal the Affordable Care Act, to restrict women’s access to basic reproductive health care, and to support the overturn of Roe v. Wade, the extreme views of the Republican ticket would hurt women.  

While not everyone may agree wholly with the positions of either party, the extreme views of the Romney-Ryan ticket differ vastly from the moderate views of most Americans.  A recent poll found that 75% of adults think that even policy makers who oppose abortion should still support birth control.  Birth control is a basic, essential part of women’s health care, and the majority of Americans understand that.  We need to elect representatives who reflect these views, and value and trust women enough to let them make their own health care decisions.  The Republican ticket fails to recognize the vital role contraception plays in a woman’s life, and denying women access to affordable birth control, limits them in other facets of their life. 

Planned Parenthood Action Fund has proudly endorsed President Obama for a second term. His steadfast commitment to women ensures women will continue to have access to the essential care they deserve.  This November, let’s stand behind the candidate who’s stood with us.  

Moira, Web Correspondent, Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Datoka

Planned Parenthood Statement on HHS Decision to Maintain Current Age Restrictions for Emergency Contraception

Minneapolis, MN – We are disappointed that the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has chosen to maintain the current age restriction on emergency contraception, as the decision has no medical basis and goes against the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) recommendation. Multiple studies have shown that use of emergency contraception by young women under the age of 17 is safe and effective, and that teens are no more likely to engage in risky sexual behavior when they have unrestricted access to emergency contraception.

“Young women and teens can still rely on Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota (PPMNS) to be here for them when they are seeking preventive health services,” said Sarah Stoesz, PPMNS President and CEO. “PPMNS offers emergency contraception to those who need it at an affordable price.”

Pawlenty's record on women's health way outside the mainstream

Among the Presidential candidates performing with the GOP traveling circus: two of Minnesota’s own, Bachmann and Pawlenty. While the former has always been more than a little out of the mainstream, Pawlenty seems to be gaining momentum by affixing his name to the ever-popular political pledges that seem to be floating around so much you’d think it was a recruitment for the Boy Scouts. (Do they get badges to sew to their blazers, too?)

Amidst the onslaught of pledges is one that is particularly troubling to advocates of choice and responsible family planning. An anti-choice pledge to make abortion illegal and defund Planned Parenthood (among its talking points) is making its way through the ranks. Pawlenty is among those who have signed on the dotted line, vowing to remain close-minded and short-sighted and to only appoint other close-minded short-seers should he become President.