Secretary of State to visit Alex Tech to talk about voting

Talk about it

Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie will visit Alexandria Technical College to conduct voter education and outreach to students.

In his talk entitled “Democracy and You,” Ritchie will speak to the importance of voter participation, explain legislative changes to election law that impact students, and encourage them to become election judges.

Office staff will accompany Ritchie to assist students interested in registering to vote and answer questions about voting.

The Office of the Secretary of State recognizes that eligible voters, ages 18-24, tend to vote at a lower rate than any other voting-age group.

In 2008, an additional 7 million votes could have been cast nationwide had eligible voters younger than the age of 30 participated at a rate equal to that of other age groups.

Minnesota voters age 30 and younger have an opportunity this year to increase voter turnout by more than 100,000 votes if they participate at rates equal to other voters, Ritchie noted.

The Office of the Secretary of State is teaming up with colleges and universities in the month of April to organize non-partisan voter education and outreach events to students.

Ritchie is scheduled to meet with ATC students on Wednesday, April 21 from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Campus Theater at 1601 Jefferson Street. The event is open to the public.

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