Bill prohibiting harassment of election officials moves forward in MN House

A bill making it a crime to intimidate election officials, interfere with their work or tamper with election equipment is moving forward in the Minnesota House after clearing another committee on a voice vote.  Sponsor, Minneapolis Democrat Emma Greenman:

“Since the 2020 election and the January 6th insurrection rooted in the lie of a stolen election, their job has only gotten harder and the pressure more intense.”

Some question whether the bill violates First Amendment rights of free speech.  Secretary of State Steve Simon said earlier “it’s every citizen’s right to be angry”  and “shake a fist in the air” or “use salty language” — but conduct prohibited by the bill goes well beyond that.