Trio of residents seeks emergency hearing on new Minneapolis policing ballot language - saga cont.

[question everything]

The latest legal twist over a ballot question determining the future of the Minneapolis Police Department prompted attorneys to renew arguments over whether a judge should scrap the latest version.

In a letter filed Wednesday, attorneys for a trio who sued the city over its ballot language asked Hennepin County Judge Jamie Anderson to block election officials from using the updated question, saying it's too similar to one she struck down the day before.

"Petitioners do not seek further relief lightly, but are compelled to do so to ensure that this Court's work, and Minnesota law, continue to protect Minneapolis voters from the irreparable harm of casting a ballot for something that no one, not even City Council members, understands clearly," attorney Norm Pentelovitch wrote in the letter.

Lawyers for the city of Minneapolis and Yes 4 Minneapolis, the political committee that wrote the proposal, blasted the request. "The letter all but admits that this request is a transparent effort to keep this question from voters for another election cycle," City Attorney Jim Rowader said in a statement. "Minneapolis, Hennepin County, and the courts have completed their work. The ballots are with the printers. It is time for the voters' voice to be heard."

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(Judge) Anderson's order left open the possibility the city could choose to put the proposal before voters at a special election or a future general election, if officials didn't have new, acceptable language in time for the deadline.

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https://www.startribune.com/trio-of-residents-seeks-emergency-hearing-on-new-minneapolis-policing-ballot-language/600095088/