Tim Walz is Kamala Harris’ VP Pick — Here’s His Record on Voting Rights
Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee for president, has selected Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) as her running mate, she announced in a post on X. Harris has a strong record on voting rights, and so does Walz.
“It is the honor of a lifetime to join [Harris] in this campaign,” Walz wrote in a post on X. “I’m all in. Vice President Harris is showing us the politics of what’s possible. It reminds me a bit of the first day of school. So, let’s get this done, folks!”
He specifically emphasized his commitment to voting rights at a rally on Tuesday evening, alongside Harris.
Walz said he and Harris strive to create “a place where we settle our political differences, not through violence, but with our votes.”
He was elected governor in 2018 and was re-elected in 2022 — both with large margins of victory.
In May 2023, Walz signed the “Democracy for the People Act,” which promoted voting rights in many ways, including by allowing 16- and 17-year-olds to pre-register to vote, permitting voters to opt into a permanent absentee voter list and expanding language access in voting materials.
Less than a month later, he also signed a bill into law that restored voting rights to over 50,000 Minnesotans on parole, probation or community release due to a felony conviction.
Additionally, this past May, Walz signed a pro-voting omnibus bill, which established the Minnesota Voting Rights Act (VRA), establishing crucial protections for voters as the federal VRA is under attack.
“As governor, he signed the most significant expansion of voting rights in Minnesota in over 50 years,” Harris said during the Tuesday rally.
The law will also make it easier for college students to vote, combat the threat that artificial intelligence poses to the security of elections and end prison gerrymandering.
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“Democracy thrives when everyone’s voice is heard. Today, we’re ensuring a strong democracy by prioritizing accessibility and voter protections,” Walz said in a release. “With this bill we are breaking barriers that stand in the way of voting, protecting fair democratic processes, and paving the way for Minnesota to continue to lead the nation in voter turnout.”
This story was updated on Aug. 6, 2024, at 6:50 p.m. EDT to add quotes from Harris and Walz from a rally Tuesday evening.