Publisher’s Perspective

By Tim Douglass, Publisher of the Pope County Tribune

All the television and radio commercials will soon end with the general election coming up on Tuesday Nov. 8.

Of course, in Minnesota we can vote early by mail and in person.  It’s getting late to vote by mail, but you can vote early in person by visiting the Pope County Auditor and Treasurer’s office in the courthouse.  That’s our official county election office.

Those who don’t vote early should show up and cast their vote on election day.  The polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.  Towns with less than 500 registered voters are not required to open until 10 a.m. but most choose to open at 7 a.m.

Where do you vote?  

We’ve published a list of polling places in the county, but its easy to go online to www.sos.state.mn.us and go the election tab and click on “Where do I vote.”  Once you input your address it will tell you exactly where to vote.

Do I need an ID to vote?

If your voter registration is current and active, you do not need to bring identification. This means you were successfully registered at least 21 days before Election Day and you have not moved or changed names since then.

In Minnesota we do have same day registration so if you need to register or update your registration, or you have not voted in four years or more, you will need to show proof of residence at the polls before you vote.

Valid PhotoIDs for registration include:  a driver’s license, state ID or learner’s permit issued by any state, a U.S. Passport, a U.S. Military or Veteran ID, a Tribal ID with name, signature and photo, a Minnesota university, college or technical college ID, or a Minnesota high school ID.

Documents can also be provided to prove your residence.  Those include a bill, account or start-of-service statement due or dated within 30 days of the election for:

Phone, TV or internet, solid waste, sewer, electric, gas or water, a banking or credit card, a rent or mortgage, a residential lease or rent agreement valid through election day or a current student fee statement.  You only need one of those to determine you live where you say you do.  

So, armed with the information you need, we simply hope all eligible voters show up at the polls and exercise their right and privilege as a U.S. citizen and cast your vote.

The elections, especially in Minnesota, are fair, safe, accurate and as a state we have led the nation in voter turnout.  Although it’s not a presidential election this year, we hope all eligible voters will show up and vote.

Sometimes the pre-election ads and mailings can be a bit too much and can make us throw up our hands and sit out the election.

Don’t let that happen.

When you are in the quiet and privacy of the voting booth, you can vote the way you want and nobody will be there to persuade or deter your vote.

So the most important thing is to show up at the polls and vote.  In the last election, the state led the nation with more than 70 percent of us casting a vote.  We’ve always wondered why it wasn’t consistently closer to 100 percent.  That’s the goal.  We all have a voice and those who choose not to vote are giving up that voice.