What the Minnesota Constitution says

What the Minnesota Constitution says

PREAMBLE

We, the people of the state of Minnesota, grateful to God for our civil and religious liberty, and desiring to perpetuate its blessings and secure the same to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution. (emphasis added)

ARTICLE I
BILL OF RIGHTS

Section 1. OBJECT OF GOVERNMENT. Government is instituted for the security, benefit and protection of the people, in whom all political power is inherent, together with the right to alter, modify or reform government whenever required by the public good.

(Note:The PEOPLE have the power OVER the government. The People have the right to alter, modify or reform the government.)

ARTICLE III
DISTRIBUTION OF THE POWERS OF GOVERNMENT

Section 1. DIVISION OF POWERS. The powers of government shall be divided into three distinct departments: legislative, executive and judicial. No person or persons belonging to or constituting one of these departments shall exercise any of the powers properly belonging to either of the others except in the instances expressly provided in this constitution.

ARTICLE IV
LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT

Sec. 5. RESTRICTION ON HOLDING OFFICE. No senator or representative shall hold any other office under the authority of the United States or the state of Minnesota, except that of postmaster or of notary public. If elected or appointed to another office, a legislator may resign from the legislature by tendering his resignation to the governor.

(Note:There are legislators that are attorneys. As attorneys, they are considered "officers of the court" and have sworn an oath to protect the judges. This is a violation of Article II, Sec. 1 of the Minnesota Constitution. These very legislators, who are attorneys, are trying to stop the Citizens from correcting the problems with the judges.)

ARTICLE VI
JUDICIARY

Sec. 9. RETIREMENT, REMOVAL AND DISCIPLINE. The legislature may provide by law for retirement of all judges and for the extension of the term of any judge who becomes eligible for retirement within three years after expiration of the term for which he is selected. The legislature may also provide for the retirement, removal or other discipline of any judge who is disabled, incompetent or guilty of conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice.(emphasis added)

(Note : The Judicial Board of Standards was created by the Legislature for the purpose of fulfilling this part of the Constitution. The problem with the current Board is that the Board is under the control of the Minnesota Supreme Court, and the governor appoints the members of the Board (who mostly judges and attorneys). The Citizens are seeking an amendment, so that the Board is controlled by the Legislature and the members are Citizens and members of the Legislature.)