Tuesday, Sept. 26, is Voter Registration Day. This nationally recognized day was created to boost voter registration numbers and raise awareness about the importance of voting.
In Minnesota, we know voting is the cornerstone of our democracy. That’s why we have the highest voter turnout rate in the country. Yet even with this claim to fame, many of us still miss a key opportunity to have our voices heard: Odd-year elections.
Presidential and statewide elections take place on even-numbered years. These elections get a lot of attention and Minnesota voters generally head to the polls in droves. But elections that take place during odd-numbered years, often for municipal level positions, see lower turnout. Minnesota’s voter turnout for the 2016 election, when the presidential race was the top of the ticket, was 74.72 percent. In 2015, the last odd-year election, it was only 50.51 percent. Continue reading “DFL Chairman Martin on voter registration day a reminder to vote in odd-year elections”