Simon offers students election year advice

“The election is in 22 days, it’s going to be pretty epic,” Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon told Central Lakes College students on Oct. 17. “I can’t think of a more interesting time to be in the democracy business.”

Simon came to the college to thank the CLC Student Senate for registering 118 of the 200 students on the campus. The college is also looking at ways to transport students to the polls on Nov. 8.

Simon said that although the presidential race “sucks all the air out of the room,” the other races on the ballot are also important.

Simon said there are different predictions of whether there will be high or low voter turnout this year. “The two major party nominees inspire strong feelings,” he said. “Usually that drives turnout, when people feel strongly.”

He said Minnesota was the number one state in the nation in voter turnout for nine years in a row until the 2014 election. 

He said they are trying to get back to number one through a new no-excuses absentee ballot law and continuing the same day registration process. He said voters can now order their ballots to be mailed to their door at mnvotes.org. They can also register to vote online but that deadline has passed until election day.

Simon also is implementing the “Ballot Bowl” among Minnesota colleges, a competition to get more college students registered.

“The outpouring has been great,” said Simon.

In one day they registered 27,000 college students, exceeding their old record of 7,600.

Simon also asked the students what they were hearing about the election. Alex Carr said he has heard students say their vote doesn’t matter or that they don’t know the candidates.

Simon said every vote matters and reminded students that you don’t have to vote for every race on the ballot. “Your ballot is not spoiled if you vote for only two of the questions on it. I would rather have you vote for the ones you feel good about.” 

Simon also said a third party or write-in vote is not a wasted vote. “That’s what the write-in line is for,” he said.