With Election Day rapidly approaching, many may find themselves feeling overwhelmed with opinions, potential disinformation, and overall confusion. Voting may seem complicated and that feeling of being overwhelmed can contribute to poor voter turnout, especially in younger voters. Jackie Reis, President of the League of Women Voters of White Bear Lake Area highlighted this issue. “Every vote matters,” she stressed. “It is particularly important to increase the number of voters aged 18-29….only 35% of this age group votes. Overall turnout in [the] 2022 election in MN was 61% of eligible voters.”

Reis’ solution to this problem: “Make your voting plan today! Don’t wait until November 4.” To make that plan, she suggests the following:

• Make sure you are registered! This can be done online, in person, or on Election Day itself when you vote (you must bring proof of residence).
• Make sure you know where to vote (your polling place) and what time you will be able to vote.
• Have transportation lined up and an interpreter if needed.
• Research what your ballot will contain–who and what will you be voting for?

When making this plan, it is important to know where to find any information that may be needed. There are many existing resources to help. For those wondering why voting is important in the first place, the League of Women Voters of White Bear Lake Area details this in a section of their Voter Guide. This guide also includes details on other topics, such as registration.

The website MNVotes.org is another useful resource that can be used to figure out which polling place to vote at and what times they are open, among many other pieces of valuable information. You can also find a sample ballot (who will be on your ballot) on the same website. The League of Women Voters also has a Candidate Forums page. This page offers a detailed list of Candidate Forums organized by The League of Women Voters as well as other Leagues in Minnesota. It also links recordings to each of these forums.

These resources are not the only ones out there, but they are reliable and accurate. Utilizing them can help those voting become informed voters. Knowing how to vote and what is on the ballot can help voters gain confidence and hopefully increase the number of those engaging civically for this 2024 election as well as future elections.