Lawsuit aims to block mask mandate at polling places

The lawsuit, backed by GOP legislators, is the 11th legal challenge to Gov. Tim Walz’s COVID-19 restrictions.

A group of voters backed by Republican legislators sued Gov. Tim Walz and other state and local officials Tuesday in federal court, aiming to block a face mask requirement at polling places.

Members of the Minnesota Voters Alliance and GOP lawmakers contend Walz’s mask mandate, intended to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, conflicts with a longstanding state law making it a misdemeanor for someone to conceal their identity with a mask. The 1963 law grants exceptions, including masks that are part of medical treatment.

“That’s a conflict and I don’t know what to do on primary day,” said Kim Crockett, one of the Minnesotans challenging the mask requirement. Continue reading.