Minnesotans: We can trust our neighbors who run our elections

Our stomachs have settled from the State Fair, school buses are back on the roads and the leaves are starting to turn. Our transition from summer to fall is officially underway. Which also means early voting has officially started in Minnesota!

We lead the nation in voter turnout, and are proud of our record. From now until Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 3, Minnesotans can make their plan to vote early.

As each of us makes our plan to vote, we’d like to share an important reminder with our fellow Minnesotans: Our elections are run by our neighbors, not strangers.

Each election season Minnesotans from every corner of our state — from both major parties, as well as people with no affiliation at all — serve as the election judges who help run our elections.

These are the same people we see at church, at school drop-off and the playground with their kids.

What could neighbors who live in different corners of our state from Beltrami, Washington, Olmsted, and Anoka counties possibly all have in common?

We believe that in Minnesota, no matter what you look like, how you pray, or what language you speak, that each of us deserves a say in shaping our future. Whether you are an 18-year-old voting early for the first time, or an election judge planning to cast your 50th ballot, we know we’re stronger when more of our voices are represented, not fewer.

That’s why we’re joining with our neighbors, alongside Minnesotans in 20 counties across our state, from St. Louis to Hennepin and Sherburne to Le Sueur, to call upon our county commissioners to sign our Freedom to Vote Protection Pledge.

Our pledge calls upon all of our local, state and federal officials — especially those who help administer our elections and certify the results — to publicly commit to three things.

First, that they will abide by the U.S. Constitution and state election laws.

Second, that they will refuse to comply with any unlawful executive orders or data requests from the Department of Justice that seek to restrict voting.

Third, a commitment to faithfully play their role to certify and seat the rightfully elected winners of our elections this November, regardless of party affiliation.

But not everyone shares our vision for a democracy where all of us have a voice.

This federal administration continues to sow doubt about our elections and drive division among our neighbors. Their vision for our future is one where it’s more difficult to cast your vote at the ballot box, so ultimately, less of us have a say.

That’s why they tried leaning on the postal service to make it harder for us to return our mail-in ballots. That’s why they’ve gutted the Voting Rights Act that generations before us marched and bled to pass. The president has even gone so far as to encourage his supporters to “cheat like hell” during midterm elections.

This federal administration wants us to feel small, alone and afraid so we stay home this election season. Fear is the oldest tool in the book, and we are watching them reach for it again. Invent a crisis. Pour fuel on fear. Aim it at a neighbor, the immigrant, the Muslim family next door, our Black neighbor down the street.

They want us to be afraid of each other because neighbors who trust each other are harder to frighten, divide and keep home this election season. But Minnesotans know a good neighbor doesn’t believe the worst about the family next door just because a billionaire-backed politician points a finger.

Protecting our elections isn’t something we do once every four years. It’s ongoing work that happens county by county, community by community, 365 days a year. This work happens in every corner of our state, led by neighbors like us.

We’re proud of our neighbors who run our elections. Across Minnesota, we decide our future, choose our leaders and will continue voting with our neighbors to make our voices heard at the ballot box. In every corner of our state, from Mankato to White Earth, Hermantown to Winona, our elections are run by us, for us.

Originally published by Minnesota Reformer, a nonprofit news organization.