A Push To Remove Party Labels In Elections

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — A top Republican in the state House of Representatives wants to take some of the party out of Minnesota politics.

Rep. Jim Knoblach is pushing a bill that would remove any mention of party affiliation on ballots for state legislators. He says politics in Minnesota have become too partisan and polarizing.

Minnesota's legislative elections actually were nonpartisan up until the 1970s, although lawmakers in practice still did coalesce into conservative and liberal factions. Knoblach's bill doesn't seek any other action beyond removing the party labels from legislative races.

The St. Cloud Republican says too often measures stall because they're backed by opposing parties. He says removing party labels on the ballot would allow lawmakers to come together around issues, not partisan politics.

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