Visit Don Heinzman's Web site The Weekly Editor
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
Archive of Columns
It is a duty and a privilege to vote -(10/17/06)
Amazing Minnesota Twins represent a club of many unselfish individuals -(10/2/06)
All kids are entitled to equal use of tax-supported community sports facilities -(9/28/06)
Having meals with your kids is healthy -(9/22/06)
Voters have the right and the duty to dissent -(9/15/06)
Enjoy the worldís largest party, the 148th Minnesota State Fair -(8/31/06)
Regulating use of cell phones while driving may be worth studying -(8/25/06)
Communities should look at Burnsville-Eagan-Savage health care model -(8/18/06)
The right idea is that education comes first and sports and other activities come second -(8/10/06)
New Vikings stadium would be major benefit to Northern Region of metro area -(8/3/06)
School districts should take initiative to implement anti-bullying programs -(7/27/06)
How serious is this illegal immigration problem in Minnesota? -(7/19/06)
Area counties find it necessary to impose wheelage taxes to fund roads and bridges -(7/10/06)
Opening of Guthrie Theatre highlights importance of theatre in a community -(7/6/06)
Parents, teachers need to be more aware of how students are using the Internet -(6/13/06)
High school graduation is a time for celebration in our communities -(6/7/06)
Nation needs to exercise its rights to preserve them -(5/31/06)
School officials should consider naming buildings after inspirational individuals -(5/16/06)
Community residents, officials need to work together to curtail teenage drinking -(5/9/06)
Parents should take an interest and make prom, graduation a time to be alcohol-free -(5/8/06)
School districts in Minnesota must take hard look at reducing their dropout rates -(4/26/06)
It's becoming a challenge for many hometown businesses to stay alive -(4/18/06)
Anti-bullying policies necessary to keep student learners safe -(4/14/06)
Will changing the size of school districts result in a better education for the students? -(4/6/06)
Voters have responsibility to check out the qualities of all of the local political candidates -(3/30/06)
Changes needed to correct unequal high school sports competition because of Open Enrollment -(3/23/06)
Feeding the hungry is basic purpose of community -(3/15/06)
Referendums not needed; public officials can make decisions -(2/22/06)
Communities need to deal with excess clean water problems -(2/15/06)
Eminent domain proving to be a major issue affecting Minnesota cities -(1/17/06)
Maintaining high participation fees for students doesn't make sense -(12/22/05)
Congress may need to cut expenses but cutting aid to college students is wrong way to go -(12/7/05)
Community reading program puts everyone on the same page -(11/16/05)
High school students should be made aware of tougher college entrance requirements -(11/9/05)
Test results encouraging in Minnesota schools but more work yet to be done -(11/2/05)
Youth drop-in center good outlet for kids after school -(11/1/05)
Legislators ducking stadium session -(9/29/05)
School year off to good start with good news from NCLB results -(9/8/05)
Wellness policy needs to be developed for our kids -(8/29/05)
Communities must help prevent school shootings by identifying kids at risk -(8/23/05)
School boards not eager to lower or eliminate activity fees -(8/17/05)
Traffic congestion uppermost concern in minds of commuters -(8/9/05)
State funding promises brighter future for transit -(7/26/05)
Parents must be involved in how school districts spend new monies -(7/22/05)
Minnesota cities should follow Coon Rapids model in seeking planning input -(7/12/05)
Rotarians everywhere celebrate 100th birthday -(6/27/05)
Kids need activities and opportunities when not in school -(6/24/05)
Pawlenty's political ambitions will only grow by success -(6/15/05)
Most of money to school districts rightfully should go to staff -(6/8/05)
Our high school graduates will be our future leaders -(6/2/05)
Growing school districts must continue to battle for student resources -(5/27/05)
State should bless latest Twins stadium proposal -(5/4/05)
Legislators should vote for what's best for people's needs; more Dan Dormans wanted in Legislature -(4/26/05)
Turbocharged Truth in Taxation plan is a bad idea -(4/19/05)
Communities that care will identify kids at risk -(4/5/05)
State has responsibility to curb rise in meth use -(3/30/05)
Free flow of information is vital for a free society -(3/15/05)
Success of feeding the hungry depends on members of our communities -(3/8/05)
Policy makers must make some major human services decisions -(3/3/05)
Legislators must weigh value of community, technical colleges before supporting cuts -(2/15/05)
Parents should be concerned about increasing number of young people who play cards for money -(2/1/05)
More state troopers needed on highways to make them safer -(1/12/05)
Concern mounting for programs that help the needy -(1/11/05)
Gov. Pawlenty must take lead in helping solve funding challenges in education -(12/21/04)
Elmer L. Andersen made a difference to many -(11/23/04)
There may be disconnect between voters, officials -(11/23/04)
Republican legislators get wakeup call from the DFL -(11/10/04)
Election Day is finally here with excitement -(11/10/04)
Minnesota drivers must continue to play it safe -(11/10/04)
Study candidates' stands on issues concerning you -(10/26/04)
Suburban communities have come a long ways -(10/26/04)
Hiawatha ridership says people ready to take trains -(10/26/04)
Let's help Salvation Army with larger donation -(9/24/04)
Blaine is going a good job of packaging itself -(9/24/04)
Metro transportation plan needs careful review -(9/24/04)
No Child Left Behind process is working -(9/24/04)
Editorials from January 2001 through August 2004
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