Have you ever grimaced after hitting a pothole you could not avoid? Or sat through a school board meeting and wondered how the school district is getting something new when there are three more needs that will actually impact your kids’ education? Across counties, cities, and states, elected leaders make decisions about roads, public services, and community resources.

Voting is crucial…for what it means for the good of the people at large…I believe a person’s vote matters because of what matters to the people they see on the bus, the person walking past them at the grocery store, the person who lives in the county over they’ve never met, who are equally affected by their singular act to go to the polls and VOTE…If you can vote, you should, because you’re either complicit in the collateral or proactive in progress.

Dede Baltus

Biology Transfer Program Student

Minnesota’s 2026 Mid-Term Election is coming up on November 3, 2026, and voters across the state will help fill federal, state, and local offices, including seats in Congress, the Minnesota Legislature, county commissioner positions, school boards, and judicial offices. The people elected to these roles help shape the communities where we live, work, and learn.

Making Voting More Accessible

For many people, voting isn’t about a lack of interest. It’s about uncertainty. Am I registered? Can I vote if I have a criminal record? What if I don’t have a permanent address?

Since 2023, Minnesota has expanded voting access through several changes designed to help more people participate in elections. Individuals with felony convictions can vote once they are no longer incarcerated. Sixteen- and seventeen-year-olds can pre-register before turning 18. Eligible residents can be automatically registered when applying for or renewing a state ID. Voting instructions are available in 3 additional non-English languages, and people experiencing homelessness can register by describing their living situation.

The goal is simple: make sure every eligible Minnesotan has the opportunity to vote.

Turning Questions into Confidence

I believe that voting in mid-term elections is one of the most important things we can do as citizens. I only started to understand the importance of local elections in the last two years, which is embarrassing enough, but in the spirit of transparency, I forgot about it this year.

Janell Bergman

Student Parent

For the uninformed and overwhelmed, Saint Paul College staff and volunteers, along with the League of Women Voters Saint Paul Chapter, will be tabling on campus to help students register, verify their registration status, find their polling place, and understand what to expect on Election Day.

Students can review sample ballots, ask questions, and walk through the voting process step by step. From checking in at a polling place to submitting a completed ballot, the goal is to turn uncertainty into confidence.

We want to ensure every voter is ready and confident to vote on November 3, 2026.

Upcoming Events

Saint Paul College will host voter education and engagement opportunities, including:

• Constitution Day on September 17
• National Voter Registration Day on September 22
• Election Information & Election Day Pop-Ups from November 1-3

The League of Women Voters will also host:

• Voter Education Night on September 17 at the Rondo Community Library at the Hallie Q. Brown Community Center.
• Candidate Forums, where community members can hear directly from candidates.

Voting begins with understanding the issues, asking questions, and making your voice heard. Saint Paul College is helping students take that first step with confidence.