Vote Tuesday, our democracy depends on it

Minnesota voters will go to the polls next Tuesday to cast their ballots in the State Partisan Primary. For voters who live in the 1^st Congressional District there will also be a Special Election.

The statewide primary is to decide which candidates from each party will be on the General Election ballot in November. For the Special Election, voters will be choosing an individual to serve out the remainder of the term of U.S. Rep. Jim Hagedorn who died earlier this year.

The Special Election is unique this year because it is for those voters who currently reside in the 1^st Congressional District. In the statewide primary, voters will vote on the basis of what district they will live in come January 1, 2023.

Because of redistricting, the process of re-drawing election boundaries on the basis of the every 10-year census, some voters will find themselves moving to a different district although all residents of Dodge and Olmsted Counties will see no change. Which means some people will find themselves voting in one district in the Special Election and a different one in the General Election.

The point of all of this is these primaries and special elections are important.

The Special Election is important because all residents need to be represented in the Congress. Since Hagedorn’s death in February his office has still been serving the people of the district under the supervision of the Clerk of the House of Representatives. But the scope of their activities is limited.

And importantly, the people of the district do not have a voting member of the Congress.

Because of state and federal laws, the position could not be filled by appointment, and overseas voters needed to be given enough time to cast their ballots. The primary for the position was held on May 24.

The person elected will begin serving immediately for the next five months.

The statewide primary will finalize the state and federal ballot for the November election.

How often have we heard people complain that they don’t like the choices in an election? Some will say because they don’t like who is on the ballot they will not vote. Others complain that they are “voting for the lesser of two evils.”

By voting in the primary a voter is increasing their say in the electoral process. Of course, your favorite candidate may still not be on the November ballot. But still you made your feelings known.

Minnesota consistently has one of the highest voter turnouts in all elections. But we can still do better.

Get involved in the process. Learn about the candidates and where they stand. Perhaps even get involved earlier than the primary. The caucuses are held in February of an election year.

Even if your candidate does not ultimately win you will know that you have participated in the vital process of American democracy.

Vote Tuesday. Our democracy depends on it.