2020 Election: A voting guide
Voters can drop off their ballots at a contactless ballot box in a parking lot between the St. Louis County Courthouse and City Hall. Photo by Hunter Dunteman
Voters in Minnesota are headed to the polls once again this November to cast their ballots in the 2020 general election. Tuesday, Nov. 3, will see polling sites open where those who choose to, can cast their ballot in-person.
Minnesota voters turned out in droves to cast their ballots in 2016. The Minnesota Secretary of State’s website reports a 74.8% turnout for the 2016 general election— the highest in the nation.
Minnesota has seen the highest voter turnout nationwide in every presidential election since 1988, according to statistics published by the United States Election Project. Before 1988, fewer states were accurately reporting voter turnouts.
This year’s general election, however, has a catch — the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is expected to seriously impact how voters cast their ballot. A Star Tribune article published in August reported over 500,000 absentee or mail ballots were cast in the state’s August 2020 primary elections.
President Trump questioned the reliability of mail-in voting in a Twitter thread.
“This will be a rigged election,” he continued in the thread.
Organizations including the New York Times, Washington Post and FactCheck have repeatedly called Trump’s claims a “false narrative.” PBS and the Denver Post reported that election officials and the U.S. Postmaster General also disagree with Trump,
Ballots have been recently discovered in ditches in Wisconsin and garbage cans in Pennsylvania.
The President’s campaign is facing a sudden challenge after both Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump tested positive for COVID-19. President Trump announced the result on Twitter around 1 a.m. EST on Oct. 2, just over 24 hours since his campaign made a stop in Duluth.
Joe Biden shared the stage with Trump at the first presidential debate on Sept. 29. Both Joe Biden and his wife, Jill Biden, have since tested negative for the virus, Joe Biden announced on Twitter.
Republican candidate for Minnesota’s 8th Congressional District and current U.S. Representative Pete Stauber tested negative for COVID-19 after flying on Air Force One with Trump.
Stauber postponed a roundtable discussion in Duluth after the exposure.
CDC guidelines dictate that anyone exposed to COVID-19 should “stay home until 14 days after last exposure and maintain social distance (at least 6 feet) from others at all times.”
The Minnesota Department of Health also asked that anyone who attended events associated with Trump’s Oct. 2 visit should consider getting tested “right away.”
This election cycle includes candidates running for three federal offices, two state offices and multiple county and judicial offices.
EDITOR’S NOTE: The candidates listed in this article were collected using a sample ballot, with the University of Minnesota Duluth’s address as a reference point. Ballots are issued based upon the address at which a voter is registered.
Michael King contributed to this article.
President of the United States
Donald Trump (R)
Joe Biden (D)
Running Mate: Mike Pence
Age: 74
Platform Highlights: Job creation, eradicate COVID-19, cut drug prices/healthcare premiums, congressional term limits, defend police, end illegal immigration
Endorsements*: National Rifle Association, Proud Boys, Fraternal Order of Police, American Energy Alliance
Political Experience: President, 2017-present
Website: donaldjtrump.com
Running Mate: Kamala Harris
Age: 77
Platform Highlights: Higher taxes on corporations, sustainable energy/clean energy, bankruptcy reform, criminal justice reform
Endorsements*: National Education Association, Human Rights Campaign, National Wildlife Federation
Political Experience: U.S. Senator, 1973-2009; Vice President, 2009-2017
Website: joebiden.com
*This is not a comprehensive list of endorsements. Check a candidate’s website for a complete list.
Rocky de la Fuente (Independence-Allegiance), Howey Hawkins (Green Party), Gloria la Riva (Socialism and Liberation), Alyson Kennedy (Socialist Workers Party), Jo Jorgenson (Libertarian), Kanye West (Independent) and Brock Pierce (Independent) are also on Minnesota’s ballot.
United States Senate
Jason Lewis (R)
Tina Smith (D)
Age: 65
Platform Highlights: Industries on the Iron Range, build the Enbridge Line 3 Oil Pipeline, permit boundary waters copper/nickel mines
Endorsements: GOP, President Trump
Political Experience: U.S. Representative, 2017-2019
Website: lewisformn.com
Age: 62
Platform Highlights: Affordable health care, quality education, gun reforms, protecting social security, supporting rural communities
Endorsements: Minnesota AFL-CIO, National Association of Social Workers, National Education Association, Council for a Livable World
Political Experience: Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota, 2015-2018; U.S. Senator, 2018-present
Website: tinaforminnesota.com
Kevin O’Connor (Legal Marijuana Now) and Oliver Steinberg (Grassroots - Legalize Cannabis) are also on Minnesota’s ballot.
United States Representative
Quinn Nystrom (D)
Pete Stauber (R)
Age: 54
Platform Highlights: Rebuilding Economy, Safe Communities, America First, Save Medicare
Endorsements: Duluth News Tribune, Iron Workers Local 512
Political Experience: St. Louis County Commissioner, 2013-2019; U.S. Representative, 2019-Present
Website: petestauberforcongress.com
Age: 34
Platform Highlights: Affordable healthcare, ending the opioid epidemic, strengthening unions, funding schools
Endorsements: Voter Protection Project, Women Under Forty PAC
Political Experience: Baxter (Minn.) City Councilwoman, 2014-2018
Website: quinnforcongress.com
Judith Schwartzbacker (Grassroots - Legalize Cannabis) is also on Minnesota’s ballot.
Minnesota Senate - District 7
Donna Bergstrom (R)
Jen McEwen (D)
Age: 57
Platform Highlights: Law and order, electoral redistricting, lower tax rates, grow job base, increase government oversight, individual healthcare options
Endorsements: Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus, Minnesota Police & Peace Officers Association, Minnesotans for Affordable Health Insurance, Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life
Political Experience: None
Website: bergstrom4mn.com
Age: 43
Platform Highlights: Street maintenance, more water infrastructure funding, increase city services, Medicare for all, secure housing, clean energy
Endorsements: DFL, Duluth News Tribune, Education Minnesota, Duluth for Clean Water Environmental Caucus, Women Winning, Stonewall DFL
Political Experience: None
Website: votemcewen.com
Minnesota house of representatives - District 7a
Tom Sullivan (R)
Jen Schultz (D)
Age: Uncertain
Platform Highlights: Increase public safety training, prevent tax increases, responsible mining, fund infrastructure
Endorsements: Minnesota Police & Peace Officer Association
Political Experience: None
Website: sullivanformn.com
Age: 49**
Platform Highlights: Healthcare reform, address economic inequality, lowering tuition rates, fair education funding allocation
Endorsements: Education Minnesota, Planned Parenthood, Minnesota Nurses Association
Political Experience: District 7A State Representative, 2015-present
Website: schultzformnrep.com
**The Minnesota Legislative Reference Library lists Schultz’s birthday as “5/20/1971 (uncertain).”