Kathleen McQuillan

Some of us may not be aware that we have entered another election season. This happens every two years. It’s the time when members of the U.S. House of Representatives come up for reelection, as do one-third of our senators, who will also be challenged in the next election. Incumbents currently representing us in Washington are campaigning beside a host of candidates running to claim their seats. Newbies work hard to gain greater name and face recognition. They’re honing their positions and glossing up their messaging on key issues of the day. Things continue to amp up as the mid-term election draws near. It’s called that because November 2026 marks the half-way point in the current president’s term in office. In November 2028, voters will choose their next president!
Follow the news and you’ll discover announcements for events where candidates mingle with the electorate. “Meet and greets,” forums, and debates will be scheduled all around our district so that candidates seeking office can introduce themselves to potential voters. I attended one of these forums last week in Duluth. There, seven Democrats campaigning for Minnesota’s Eighth District Congressional House seat gave their reasons why Representative Pete Stauber needs to be defeated in the November election. They shared their views on the major issues confronting residents of northeastern Minnesota. And they presented their suggestions on what legislative actions they would support.
Prepared questions were directed to each for their comments. Topics addressed the needs of both individual citizens and their communities, as well as such things as protecting the natural environment upon which we all depend, creating new jobs, and reinvesting in vital government services that assure working people and their families a better future as well as society at large. One by one, they revealed whose interests they were paying closest attention to and where they’d place their focus once sworn into office.
I was impressed with their understanding of ordinary people like myself and their commitment to serve us versus a billionaire class, far removed from the everyday demands that lower- and middle-income Americans face every day. They expressed integrity, thoughtful consideration, and knowledge on critical issues. Theirs were in stark contrast to the vague and vapid messages coming from Mr. Stauber. As I listened, I felt heartened as each candidate brought hope and meaning to the very important job of representing “we the people.” Not billionaires. Not Donald J. Trump.
There’s ample evidence exposing Mr. Stauber’s abysmal voting record, his notable absenteeism, his frequent support for legislation that weakens clean air and water protections, and deregulation of mining and other extraction industries. And he votes nearly 90 percent of the time in line with majority Republicans, even when his votes negatively impact his constituents! A stirring example was when he voted “Yea” to cut Medicaid health insurance for millions of low-income, elderly, and disabled citizens, ignoring the threats it posed for rural health care and hospital systems across his district. The irony was this. His vote occurred within hours of receiving petitions signed by over 400 people from Cook who relied heavily on their local clinic and hospital for both critical care and for jobs. And what was his defense of this $88-billion-per year funding cut for the next ten years? That it was needed to cover costs for a massive tax cut directed to the wealthiest people in America.
You can be sure we won’t be invited to a town hall to share our concerns. Because he rarely, if ever, holds them — another egregious sign of his disregard for the people whom he represents. Once again, an example of why our votes matter!
So how does a person like Stauber get elected? Well, one reason is that the United States is known for its low voter turnout. When compared with other countries, whether ones with well-developed economies and functioning democracies or those less fortunate, our rates of registered and actual voters are low on the charts. Belgium consistently appears at or near the top along with South Korea and a few other European nations, and there are some we might never have guessed. But the U.S., with its 51-56-percent turnout rate for eligible electorate casting ballots, lands near the bottom along with the U.K., Chile, and Japan. Comparison studies vary somewhat due to key differences in voting systems and rules.
Some of the factors that explain differing rates of civic participation include varied levels of difficulty to register to vote, ID requirements, proof of eligibility, whether voting is compulsory or voluntary, systemic barriers that deter voting, access to polling places, intimidation, discrimination, and circumstantial barriers such as epidemics, wars, or natural disasters. But perhaps the biggest deterrent of all in our country is cynicism or voter apathy. But despite the obstacles, we’re reminded that, “Where there’s the will, there’s a way.”
Roadblocks are real, no doubt, but much of the American problem is our lack of will. We know what we don’t like about government. We complain about it among each other. But often, we fail when it comes time to take action to make a difference. Too many just don’t show up to vote, even though major elections generally happen once every two years. When you realize that the ballot box is the main way to let our voices be heard and hold our elected officials accountable, it seems that we’re either taking our right to vote for granted or we Americans are lazy. I’m recalling the purple thumbs held up by people living in a war zone. Talk about passion and dedication for the privilege to vote! Seeing those seven candidates putting out such effort to reach me made me feel even more committed to take this coming election more seriously. They indeed are what help make our democracy survive.
Now stop and imagine what things would be like without them. Showing up and sharing their positions and priorities with thousands of potential voters helps build the momentum needed to take back that precious seat in Congress and make a real difference.
They weren’t asking for money. They were asking for our attention! They were stirring our interest factor to get us off the couch and vote in the August Primary. That’s where the field of candidates begins to get whittled down to those most competent and most inspiring — the ones most able to win! In order to obtain the best possible outcome, more of us need to do our part to choose the people most fit to lead. VOTE!
Studies show that higher turnouts produce better results. Eighty percent or more turnout will be more reflective of the populace than 50 percent. And we must remember that there are many interests out there that would prefer we stay on the couch. Their highly refined strategies have eroded our trust in both the electoral process and election results. They’ve undermined our faith in government and our democracy.
Here are some important steps in Minnesota’s electoral process. They are the Congressional District Conventions, held between April 25 and May 10, and the DFL State Convention, scheduled for May 29-31, that will be held this year in Rochester.
At these conventions, delegates are selected to represent party members in the candidate endorsement process. They’ll participate in the development of the Party Platform which lists the priority values, rules and policies which provide a foundation for the party’s decision-making during this year’s election process.
Other important dates in the 2026 election cycle are listed here and worth noting on your calendars.
June 26-Aug. 10: Early voting begins for the primary election by mail or in-person at designated polling stations.
Aug. 11: Primary Election Day!
Sept. 18-Nov. 2: Early voting begins for the General Election.
November 3: GENERAL ELECTION DAY.
The most powerful way to protect our right to vote is to do just that, GET OUT AND VOTE!
For more information or to register to vote visit Minnesota Secretary of State at https://www.sos.state.mn.us.