Lobbying 101: Seek to Influence Your Legislator

  • The most important thing you can do is to talk to your legislator!  They all need to know that having equal rights is a top issue for you, and that putting an ERA in our MN state constitution is LONG overdue. 
  • Let's flood our legislators with postcards, emails, telephone calls and personal visits!  If you can't make it in person - please mail a postcard, send an email or make a phone call.  (Find out more about your legislators below.) 
  • Even if they share your same views -- you need to let them know!  Why? Because they need to know how much support there is for this. If they only hear from people who oppose their view, they may not work as hard to make this a reality.
  • You can see, call, email or write your legislators any day -- to see them in person it helps to set up an appointment.  Contact info is on your districts page. (Letter Examples - Phone Scripts)
  • Go to your district page (see buttons below) to find out more about your legislators, contact info and talking (writing) points and tips.
  • For more history and information about the ERA and why we need one check our Power Point presentation (especially pages 30 -45 for why and arguments against an ERA)
  • For more history about the ERA in Minnesota check our About page.
  • Learn about how an Amendment is added to the MN Constitution on our Minnesota ERA page.
Not sure which district you live in?
​Action Steps
  1. Visit each of your representatives.
  2. Talk to them about why you feel it is important to have an ERA.
  3. Know the bills: (it's not important to remember the numbers, just what the mean to you and to Minnesota)
    • HF406, SF323, SF423 and SF342 are bills to put an Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) into the Minnesota Constitution.  The House bill was voted on and passed in 2019 -- but with a new legislature it all starts over!
    • SF730 is a bill to pass a resolution demanding the deadline be removed from the Federal ERA and that ratification is advanced.
  4. Ask them to take action – the district pages (below) indicate the type of action they can take!
  5. If you don't see them in person, call them, write them a postcard, email or letter (examples) that tells your story and asks for their support.
  6. Let us know how it goes!  Click HERE ​
Bonus Action!  Be aware that Sen Carrie Ruud (R, 10) has introduced a bill to keep the deadline: A resolution clarifying that the 1973 ratification by the 68th Minnesota Legislature of the proposed 1972 Equal Rights Amendment to the United States Constitution was only valid through March 22, 1979.  Let her know you disagree!  Email her now!
SF31 Bill Text
2021: Senate Files 323 & 423 & House File 406. "Equality under the law shall not be abridged or denied on account of sex." This mirrors the US ERA language. 
Bill Text SF423
Status: Both referred to Civil Law and Data Practices Policy Committee
Status: Referred to Judiciary Finance & Civil Law Committee
2021: Senate File 342 & 850 & House File 726 -  "Equality under the law shall not be abridged or denied on account of gender."  The same as the SF323, SF423 & HF406 - but replaces "sex" with "gender."   
Bill Text SF342
Bill Text SF850
Status: Both referred to Civil Law and Data Practices Policy Committee
Bill Text HF726
Status: Referred to Judiciary Finance & Civil Law Committee
2021: Senate File 730 & HF ? (none introduced yet)
A resolution relating to the ratification of the proposed Equal Rights Amendment to the United States Constitution; memorializing Congress to remove the extra-textual time limit for ratification of the amendment by the states.  SF730 chief author is Jen McEwen (D, SD07).  ​This is more important than ever!  The needed 38 states have now ratified the ERA to put it in our U.S. Constitution -- but the legislature needs to remove the arbitrary deadline that was placed on it in the 1970's.
Status: Referred to Civil Law and Data Practices Policy Committee
See SF730
Once you know your District -(see above)- click on a button below, then click on your district number to find your Senator and Representative, including where they stand on the ERA issue and what you could encourage them to do.   FYI: Bill Authors and Committee members are still being updated.
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Member Roster
File Size: 128 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
How to Talk to Your Representative about the ERA
You can use any of the following language to talk about the ERA with your representative or use it in the ERA postcard, an email or letter. ​
  • Both women and men have been denied equality in the Constitution, because it does NOT expressly prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex or gender.  This amendment is for ALL people of Minnesota and this country.

  • Twenty-four other states in the United States (including Texas) have added an Equal Rights Amendment to their state constitutions.  It is time to give Minnesota citizens the opportunity to vote for an Equal Rights Amendment for our state. 
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  • Recent events have shown clearly that despite claims of equality, women still face inequality due to sexual harassment, inequitable pay and unequal treatment in the courts. Our courts are an uncertain place to determine the equality rights of over half our population.
  • The United States Constitution didn't specify something was strictly "male" until the 14th amendment (1868) which clarified that the rights under the Constitution were meant male citizens and inhabitants. This is the first time one gender was specified over another.  ​

  • NOW is the time to ensure equal justice for ALL Minnesotans.

  • Need more info?  Watch the video clips of expert testimony presented to the Government Operations & Veterans Affairs Committee.
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Learn more:

Capitol Complex Location & Parking Information

Both the Senate Office and the State Office are located across the street from the Capitol.  See the included maps for office and parking locations.  Closest light rail stop is the Green Line Capitol/Rice Street Station.
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  • The Senators are in the  
    MN Senate Building 
    95 University Ave W
    St Paul, MN 55155     
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  • The Representatives are in the
    State Office Building 
    100 Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd
    St Paul, MN 55155
Picture
Building Location Map
Building Location Map
File Size: 253 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
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Capitol Complex Map w/ Parking
Capitol Map w/ Parking
File Size: 517 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File