This week—possibly on the same day that this issue of the Cook County News- Herald hits mailboxes—ballots for the November 3 general election will appear.
On Election Day, the first Tuesday of November, we have the chance to vote on a single issue, on whether School District 166 should increase its levy from $437.09 per pupil to $1,276 per pupil to continue and to expand the curriculum and programming offered at the school. The ballot will ask: Shall the increase in the revenue proposed by the board of Independent School District No. 166 (Cook County Public Schools), Minnesota be approved?
I’m not going to give you suggestions on how you should answer that question. There has been enough on our editorial page in recent weeks. If you are still undecided when you get your ballot in the mail, visit www.fundingourfuture.org. There is a lot of great information there, ranging from just what is an operating referendum to property tax impact and what the levy money will be used for.
If you haven’t received your ballot within a day or two of getting this issue of the News-Herald, you should check with the county Auditor’s Office to make sure your ballot hasn’t been lost or to make sure you are registered.
If you are not registered to vote, don’t wait until the last minute to decide you want to voice your opinion. The Auditor’s Office is ready to help people who want to register on Election Day. Auditor Braidy Powers said in the last election, the Minnesota House 3A primary on September 29, a total of 1,846 people—52 percent of the registered voters in the county—cast their ballots. He said 36 people registered at the last minute which wasn’t too unusual.
Unfortunately every year there are one or two people who are turned away from the polls. I was witness to that a few years ago. A young woman who lived in Lutsen and worked in Grand Marais had waited until it was nearly time for the polls to close. She had moved to Cook County from another state recently so didn’t have identification that showed she was now a Minnesota resident.
She could have still registered if she could show her picture ID from another state along with a bill from her current Minnesota residence. She had nothing like that. The final option was to have another registered voter vouch for her. I readily agreed to help her out, only to learn that the person vouching for the voter must reside in the same precinct. Sadly, because of lack of planning, she forfeited her right to vote.
Happily, the second time I encountered this situation, I was able to help. Another young woman had forgotten her identification at home and she didn’t have time to go get it before the polls closed. Because I knew her, she asked if I would vouch for her. We figured out that we lived in the same precinct and I completed a quick little form and voila! She was able to vote.
Whether you want to vote yes or no, don’t wait. Don’t count on having a neighbor at the courthouse to verify your residence. Register now and let your voice be heard!
I’m tired of hearing it said that democracy
doesn’t work. Of course it doesn’t work.
We are supposed to work it.
Alexander Woollcott
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