10/17/06
It is a duty and a privilege to vote
Even though Minnesota led the nation in voter turnout in the 2004 election, 816,000 of the registered voters did not cast their ballots.
Last general election, 2,842,912 voted, or 77.12 percent of the 3,658,000 eligible voters.Ý
While Minnesota had the highest percentage of voters in the nation, this upcoming general election on Tuesday, Nov. 7 could be another high turnout in the state.
Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer believes the turnout will be high.
She says itís the Minnesota culture of involvement that outsiders say accounts for the higher election turnout. Minnesotans volunteer more, they have active service clubs and they a strong work ethic, all that bodes well for voting.
If Minnesota is to keep breaking the voter turnout record, emphasis will continue to be in attracting the voters age 18-30. During the last presidential election, 68 percent of the young voters cast ballots. Contrast this to the 85-90 percent of those 65 and over who voted.
Kiffmeyer and her staff are directing messages to the young people on the importance and the privilege of voting. Kiffmeyer learned from young people that they didnít vote because they said they didnít know how, they didnít know the process.
Using a popular Internet Web site and targeted brochures, students in grade school are learning about the importance of voting, so when they become 18 theyíll know all about the voting process.
One rallying cry thatís caught on with the young is ìFriends Donít let Friends Vote Alone.î Parents can be a big help when they take their 18-year-old to the polls and show them how to register and how to vote. not for whom to vote.ÝÝ
Another aid for all voters is seeing the sample ballot, down to the local contests on the Web site 30 days before the election: That Web site address is SOS.state.mn.us.
Minnesota also has same-day registration. On the last election day, 581,094 registered on election day.
The process is simple. You must be 18, a U.S. Citizen and not be serving a felony sentence.ÝÝ
You must register either by Oct. 17 or at the polling place. If youíve moved you must designate your new address. You must have a current drivers license. If the address is wrong on your address, you must bring your utility bill with your current address, a bill due within 30 days of the election.
Minnesota has absentee balloting. The easiest way is to go to your county, city and township clerkís office and cast the ballot.
Plan to vote. It is a duty and a privilege of living in a Democracy. -- Don Heinzman
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