August 31 , 2010 Vol. 16 No. 19

In This Issue:

1. Take Action: Governor Pawlenty Rejects $850,000 from the Fed for Sex Ed
2. Governor’s Candidates Debate at the Fair on Friday, Listen Live on MPR
3. Vote: How Do I Vote Absentee?
   

Take Action: Governor Pawlenty Rejects $850,000 from the Fed for Sex Ed

Governor Tim Pawlenty has rejected $850,000 from the federal government that would fund community based teen pregnancy prevention programming. These federal funds did not require state matching funds, which essentially makes it free money. Governor Pawlenty did submit a grant requesting $500,000 from the federal government that would fund abstinence-only-until-marriage programs. These funds require Minnesota to match additional funds for abstinence-only-until-marriage education.

While this funding stream has a specific intention to prevent teen pregnancies, funded programs likely would have a comprehensive sexuality education element included in the curriculum.

This decision is irresponsible. Not only does it fund abstinence-only education, which has been proven ineffective, it also requires Minnesota tax payers to fund part a failed strategy at the same time we have a massive state budget deficit.

The Minnesota AIDS Project opposes Governor Pawlenty’s continued support of ineffective abstinence-only programming and his refusal to support sex education that includes the promotion of consistent, correct use of condoms to prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV.

Call Governor Tim Pawlenty’s office to express your concerns.

Governor Pawlenty
651-296-3391

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Learn More: Governor’s Candidates Debate at the Fair on Friday, Listen Live on MPR

State Fair debate on Friday
Tom Scheck
Minnesota Public Radio (MPR)

With a new MPR News/Humphrey Institute poll showing the race for Governor too close to call, Friday's State Fair debate could be important for the candidates to highlight their differences.

Democrat Mark Dayton, Republican Tom Emmer and Independence Party candidate Tom Horner have all confirmed for the event.

MPR News is hosting the debate at 11:00 a.m. in Carousel Park on the State Fairgrounds. Stop by if you're at the Fair. If you can't make it, tune in live or listen here.

Read more about the candidates at MPR’s Campaign 2010

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Vote: How Do I Vote Absentee?

You may find that you are unable to get to your polling place location on Election Day but still want to vote in the election. You can vote by casting an absentee ballot prior to Election Day.

In Minnesota, citizens are allowed to vote absentee for the following reasons:

• Absence from your precinct
• Illness or disability
• Serving as an election judge in another precinct
• Religious discipline or observance of religious holiday
• Eligible emergency declared by the governor or quarantine declared by the federal or state government
• Military and overseas voters can also vote by absentee ballot. See the Military/Overseas Voting page for more information.

In Person Absentee Voting
You may cast an absentee ballot in person, at your county auditor's office and in many cases your city or township clerk's office, starting 46 days prior to Election Day. This option is available on weekdays during business hours. In addition, the county auditor's office must be open for absentee balloting from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Saturday before the election and until 5 p.m. on the day before the election. Contact your county auditor for more information--find contact information using the Election Official Directory.

Absentee Voting by Mail
In order to vote absentee by mail, you need to complete an absentee ballot application and submit it to your local election official by mail, fax, or email (print off the application, sign it, scan it, and attach to an email as a .pdf). Find contact information for your county elections official using the Election Official Directory. Your ballot will be sent to you when it is ready - at least 46 days prior to the election if you applied for an absentee ballot in advance. If you apply for an absentee ballot within 46 days of the election, your ballot will arrive within a day or two of your application being received.

Information Provided By the Minnesota Office of the Secretary of State.

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Visit the HIV Action Network archive to see what you missed.

For more information about what's of interest to you at the Minnesota State Capitol, visit the Web sites of our allies at OutFront Minnesota and Coalition for Responsible Sex Education .

The HIV Action Network email is published by the Minnesota AIDS Project every week while the Minnesota Legislature is in session, and bi-monthly during the rest of the year. It isavailable through the MAP web site mnaidsproject.org and through email list service. If you wish to receive the HIV Action Network email, visit our Join the HIV Action Network page, or contact MAP Public Policy by phone or email.

MAP Public Policy
Minnesota AIDS Project
1400 Park Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55404

612-373-2437
1-800-248-2437

public.policy@mnaidsproject.org

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Last Updated: Tuesday, August 31, 2010
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Content Notice: This site contains HIV prevention messages that may not be appropriate for all audiences. Since HIV infection is spread primarily though sexual practices or by sharing needles, prevention messages and programs may address these topics. If you are not seeking such information or materials, please exit this Web site.