Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Voter Registration In Minnesota, Winston W. Benson

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

This is a study of Minnesota's system of permanent voter registration used by 71 municipalities in the state. The commissioner of registration in each of these municipalities was sent a questionnaire on which he indicated his reaction to the effectiveness of the system.

The results indicated that regulations should be changed to provide for the following: (l) spot checks on the accuracy of information given by registrants; (2) notification of previous registration district when a voter registers in a new district; (3) use of permanent registration files in school elections; (4) better communications between county and municipal governments in keeping …

The Politics Of Municipal Reform, A. B. Villanueva

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

When modernization of city government is proposed in a community in which taxes ore going up, administrative authority is fragmented, municipal structure is clumsy, and citizen estimate of the city council is somewhat low, popular attitudes toward municipal reform are favorable. But those persons who have empires to defend and interests to protect in the city hall, will defend the status quo and resist the introduction of proposed innovations. Some may even fight back with all the fury irrational men can have at their command, and thus the reform movement produces strange side effects and unfortunate after effects.

Two Views Of Non-Voting: A Critique, Stephen L. Wasby

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

The view that non-voting is bad is contrasted with the view that non-voting can be functional for a political system. Works by Schattschneider and Berelson et al. are examined. Limitations in their arguments are pointed out, particularly the farmer's assertion that non-voters are being manipulated and the letters' emphasis on the short-run aspects of the system. The arguments are related to traditional conceptions of democracy.