En el sprint final hacia el día de las elecciones, algunos habitantes de Minnesota podrían preocuparse de que su boleta de voto en ausencia no llegue a tiempo. Los expertos dicen que no hay motivo de pánico porque existen soluciones. También destacan las salvaguardias para mantener el fraude bajo control.

En Minnesota, las boletas enviadas por correo deben recibirse antes del día de las elecciones o no serán contadas. Si simplemente envía el suyo por correo, Michelle Witte, de la League of Women Voters of Minnesota, dice que puede verificar su estado en línea. Si existe una preocupación real de que no llegue el martes, dice que puede ir a la oficina electoral local para arreglar las cosas.

"Si paso algo, se perdió o lo que sea, le podrían dejar votar en persona y no aceptar la boleta de voto en ausencia," enfatizó Witte.

Ella dice que el sistema tiene suficiente conocimiento como para no permitir que alguien vote dos veces accidentalmente. Mientras tanto, el expresidente Donald Trump sigue haciendo afirmaciones falsas sobre fraude electoral. Los analistas electorales dicen que es muy raro y no es suficiente para afectar los resultados.

Witte señala un caso de Minnesota este otoño, donde una mujer fue acusada de completar la boleta de su madre fallecida en apoyo a Trump, como prueba de que estas oficinas pueden detectar rápidamente comportamientos sospechosos y abordarlos.

Witte agrega que en el debate más amplio sobre la integridad electoral, es importante recordar que los administradores tienen información clave al alcance de su mano.

"La Oficina del Secretario de Estado recibe informes periódicos del Seguro Social, del DHS, de todas esas fuentes federales y estatales que rastrean si las personas murieron, pero también de inmigración y ciudadanía," insistió también la entrevistada.

Witte argumenta que el intercambio de información también funciona en conjunto con el nuevo programa Licencias de conducir para todos de Minnesota, donde todos los residentes del estado pueden solicitar dicha licencia independientemente de su estatus migratorio. Ella enfatiza que no permitirá votar a una persona indocumentada, incluso si tiene esta forma de identificación. En cuanto al seguimiento de las boletas, esa herramienta en línea aparece en el sitio web del Secretario de Estado de Minnesota.

Apoyo para esta historia fue proporcionado por la Carnegie Corporation of New York


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With the Independence Day holiday weekend here, North Dakotans might be out at parades, fireworks shows and barbecues. However, new polling indicates that many Americans are struggling to feel optimistic about the state of the country.

A new Gallup survey shows 58% of U.S. adults say they're proud to be an American. While there are some partisan splits, the overall percentage is a record low for the annual poll question.

Barbara Headrick, president of the League of Women Voters of North Dakota, said it's not surprising, given the sharp divides between the two major parties. But she feels there's something else at play.

"There is still an after effect, I believe, from the pandemic from that separation from each other that we had," she said.

That the pandemic was so politicized is another complicating factor that prevented the country from healing, Headrick said, adding that it's understandable some Americans are very concerned about various rights being taken away. However, she noted the U.S. has deep flaws throughout its history, and there are still many more rights afforded today than in past decades.

If heated rhetoric clouding U.S. politics has got you down, Headrick said, you can still show American pride through actions.

"Find a way to love your country by making it better," she said.

Headrick said it can involve showing support for civil workers or volunteering at a local homeless or animal shelter. She added that expressing pride through elections doesn't just involve voting, noting that there are opportunities to stay informed about how your local government is addressing pressing issues, such as affordable housing.


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A new Indiana law, starting today, allows school board candidates to list their political affiliation on the ballot.

Candidates may choose to register with a political party, as independents or not disclose any affiliation. Those who do not select will have a blank space next to their name and straight-ticket voting will not apply to school board races. Those opposed to the new law said it injects unnecessary politics into a role traditionally focused on education.

Leslie Jacobs, a school board member for the Fayette County School Corporation in Connersville, is against the new law.

"In my 10 years, I couldn't tell you the political leanings of anybody on my board. Never comes up," Jacobs explained. "Our discussions are purely about educational opportunities, picking a superintendent, looking at budget."

She warned requiring party labels might discourage qualified candidates from running. Supporters of the new law said it increases transparency.

Jennifer Blackburn, a school board member for the East Allen County Schools near Fort Wayne, also opposes the new law.

"The scenario that there are four candidates potentially running and three are Democrat, one is a Republican -- this last school board election -- none of us were opposed," Blackburn pointed out. "As big as our county is, there are not a lot of people running."

The law will first affect school board elections in November.


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A three-part online training series on how to run for office and govern effectively begins Monday, designed for people running at any level of government office in Western states, including Wyoming.

The training is part of the Grassroots Democracy Program under the Western Organization of Resource Councils, a group organizing in rural parts of the West and includes Wyoming's Powder River Basin Resource Council.

Gwen Lachelt, political director for the group, said the series will help answer a broad range of questions.

"Everything from, 'Am I ready to run for office? How do I organize my campaign?' To, 'how do I govern, and how can I be an effective elected official?'" Lachelt explained.

As of Friday, Lachelt noted about 50 people had signed up for the training. Registration is still open until the event starts Monday at 5:30 p.m. MT.

Lachelt added she is seeing a lot of interest in running for office from people of all age groups and all backgrounds. She emphasized the group hopes to connect with Westerners who care about natural resources.

"Our goal is to build a bench of elected officials across our regions who will champion democracy and also work to protect the West's land, air, and water," Lachelt stressed.

Guest speakers at the event include Rep. Katie Sullivan, D-Missoula, who is the House Minority Leader, and Kevin Williams, a board member of Colorado's Delta-Montrose Electric Association.


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