Today, we will collectively decide the course of our state and nation for the next two to four years, with perhaps even longer lingering effects. By now, many Americans are suffering from election fatigue. It’s not hard to see how a person can be worn down and jaded by the constant refrain about historic proportions and the unprecedented importance of each successive election. That hyperbolic rhetoric, and non-stop coverage of political minutia gets old, to be sure. Despite the absurdity of the fevered pitch this election cycle has achieved, few would deny this is a significant election and as with every election, informed and robust civic participation is vital.

Toward that end, Minnesota Majority has developed tools to help inform you on the issues that may impact your day-to-day life and where the various candidates stand on those issues. We’ve also gathered other useful Election Day resources that will tell you precisely where to vote, what the requirements are to register same-day if you aren’t already registered and other useful election information. All of this information - nearly everything you could need to knowledgably and confidently participate in our government - is gathered into one convenient page at www.VoteYourValuesMN.org.

Increasing Your Participation

If you want to get more involved on Election Day, it’s still not too late. Call your friends and neighbors and remind them to get out and vote. If you live in one of our spotlighted districts, we have pdf-formatted flyers comparing candidates for State House that you can print and give to your neighbors, or even just email it to them.

Campaigning is allowed in Minnesota on Election Day. The major political parties will be engaged in all-day efforts to get out the vote, as will many candidates. If you are interested in pitching in for a political party’s Election Day activities, contact them through the websites below:

Volunteer for Constitution Party

Volunteer for DFL (Democrat Farmer-Labor)

Volunteer for Green Party

Volunteer for GOP (Republicans / “Grand Old Party”)

Volunteer for Independence Party

Volunteer for Libertarian Party

Polls open today at 7:00 AM and close at 8:00 PM (polls don’t open until 8:00 or 10:00 AM in some townships).

The Secretary of State’s office is predicting high voter turn-out this year, as much as 80%. Despite the anticipated high volume, election officials say everything is expected to go smoothly and long lines aren’t anticipated. Contact the Secretary of State’s Office with any questions you may have about the election.

Protecting Your Vote

The Minnesota District Office of the United States Attorney issued a reminder that the Department of Justice has established a department-wide ballot access and voting integrity initiative. Minnesota’s Assistant US Attorney, Kimberly Svendsen will be on hand all day to field complaints of possible election fraud and voting rights abuses. She can be reached at 612-327-8271.

The FBI will also have special agents available to receive allegations of election fraud, intimidation, suppression or other election abuses. To report such incidents, call 612-376-3200.

If you are unable to cast a ballot and feel you have been unfairly discriminated against because of your race, religion or national origin, contact the Civil Rights Division’s voting section at 1-800-253-3931.

A Right and a Responsibility

Being an informed member of the electorate and casting a ballot is our civic duty. Please take the time to learn about the candidates and vote according to your values, today. If you don't participate, others will make important decisions for you, like them or not. Plato admonished that the penalty for refusing to participate in government is being governed by your inferiors. Self-governance is the hallmark of our great nation. Shirk this important responsibility at your peril.

Take Action: Visit VoteYourValesMN.org to learn about the candidates and find out where to vote - THEN VOTE.