Who’s on the ballot?
An overview of the candidates running in the 2020 election
With November 3rd quickly approaching, now is a great time to learn about the candidates running for election and to familiarize yourself with voting resources that will be useful if you plan to vote in person.
Students who live on campus can register to vote in either their home districts (determined by permanent address) or in the University’s district. The polling place for voters registered with a campus address is the Highland Park Community Center, 1978 Ford Pkwy, St Paul, MN 55116. Due to COVID, there will be no St. Kate’s voter van this year, so if you choose to vote in person, make a transportation plan ahead of time.
Students who choose not to vote in person can request an absentee ballot for whichever district they are registered in. For more information on voter registration and absentee voting, check out this article from our last edition.
Along with the presidential election, there are several federal, state, and local elections on this year’s ballot. Here are some of the candidates that are running in St. Kate’s voting district, and synopses of each of their platforms.
US Senators
Tina Smith (Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party)
Smith is the Democratic candidate for Minnesota’s US Senate. Smith supports the right to safe, legal abortions, supports national healthcare, advocates for raising the federal minimum wage, and supports taxation of the wealthiest Americans to fund social programs. Smith opposes Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) cutbacks, increased border security and the national emergency at the southern border, and violence in the Middle East, specifically Yemen and Iran.
Kevin O’Connor (Legal Marijuana Now Party)
O’Connor is the Legal Marijuana Now candidate for Minnesota’s US Senate. His platform includes the legalization of marijuana, erasing marijuana convictions, abolishing the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), and using hemp sustainably. O’Connor supports the use of medical marijuana, and other medical plant usage, without much government interference.
Oliver Steinberg (Grassroots - Legalize Cannabis Party)
Steinberg is the Grassroots candidate for Minnesota’s US Senate. Steinberg’s stances include supporting the Green New Deal, ending the racist drug war police state, restoring civil liberties, and ending perpetual wars.
Jason Lewis (Republican Party)
Lewis is the Republican candidate for Minnesota’s US Senate. Lewis supports anti-abortion laws on both the state and federal level, the repeal of mandated health care and the ACA (Obamacare), lowering taxes to stimulate economic growth, and the protection of Social Security for retirees today and in the future. Lewis opposes gun-control laws, the regulation of greenhouse gases, overcriminalization and jail time for non-violent drug offenses and increasing taxes on anyone.
US Representative District 4
Betty McCollum (Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party)
McCollum is one of the democratic candidates for the US House of Representatives. McCollum supports funding for K-12 and higher education programs, the Green New Deal, fighting for social justice and equity, and investing in public transportation.
Sue Sindt (Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party)
Sindt is one of the democratic candidates for the US House of Representatives. Sindt’s platform includes ending the war on drugs, ending endless wars, combating global warming, and tuition-free higher education.
Gene Rechtzig (Republican Party)
Rechtzig is the republican candidate for the US House. Rechtzig’s stances include the labeling of GMOs in food products, repealing the 17th amendment, and adding more military troops to the Middle East.
State Senator District 64
Erin Murphy (Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party)
Murphy is the democratic candidate for Minnesota’s State Senate. Murphy supports health care for all, investing in public education, promoting criminal justice reform, and fostering LGBTQ+ justice.
Patricia Jirovec McArdell (Legalize Marijuana Now Party)
Jirovec McArdell is the Legal Marijuana Now candidate for Minnesota’s State Senate. This party’s main platform includes the legalization of marijuana, erasing marijuana convictions, abolishing the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), and using hemp sustainably. Jirovec McArdell supports increased access to medical marijuana programs for trauma victims.
Sharon Anderson (Republican Party)
Anderson is the republican candidate for Minnesota’s State Senate. Anderson provides no information about her campaign platform.
State Representative District 64B
David Pinto (Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party)
Pinto is the Democratic candidate running for the State representative office. He provides no information about his campaign platform.
Georgia Dietz (Republican Party)
Dietz is the Republican candidate running for the State representative office. She provides no information about her campaign platform.
Part of a sample ballot, which is available to fully look over before Election Day.
If you decide to vote in person, be sure to bring either a Minnesota ID or your St. Kate’s ID so that you are able to vote. Do not wear campaign materials (t shirts, buttons, etc) as you will be asked to cover or remove such items while in the polling place.
Do not feel pressured to vote for every office, as your ballot will still be counted if you leave some categories blank. Do not take photos of your marked ballot; doing so is a violation of the Minnesota constitution and may null your vote. Remember to wear a mask and practice social distancing to minimize COVID risk. And don’t forget to collect your sticker on the way out!
For more information on the 2020 election, you can view https://www.stkate.edu/academics/cwl/vote for quick dates and other resources.
If you live in Minnesota, you can visit the Minnesota secretary of state on their website, https://www.sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting/.
For more information on your specific state’s policies and candidates, check out https://ballotpedia.org/Main_Page or search for your state’s secretary of state page, which should have other necessary voting information. For easy access to candidate platforms, you can look at https://www.ontheissues.org.
