2024 Election

Election Day in the United States is next week, on Tuesday, November 5. I write today to encourage all eligible voters in our community to make a voting plan.

If you are able to vote in the U.S. and haven’t voted yet, here’s what you need to know:

• Election Day polling hours in Minnesota: Nov. 5 from 7 a.m.–8 p.m. (Always confirm times with your local polling place.) 
• Early voting: Early voting in Minnesota is available until Nov. 4. In Minnesota, no excuse or reason is required to vote early. For more information about how to vote early in Ramsey County, check out the Ramsey County elections website.
• Eligible student voters living on campus: You can still register and vote on the day of the election at Macalester Plymouth Church (behind Carnegie Hall). All you need is your Macalester ID to register and then vote. 
• Eligible student voters living off campus: You can find your polling location and information about registering on the day of the election at the Minnesota Secretary of State’s website. If you live in St. Paul, all you need is your Macalester ID to register and then vote at that location on Nov. 5.
• Eligible college employees: The State of Minnesota guarantees employees—including student employees—the right to take time off work to vote without losing pay or accumulated leave time. To minimize campus services disruptions, please coordinate your voting day plans with your manager and office colleagues.
• Additional election information: Mobilize Mac website or [email protected].  

I want to extend my gratitude to Mobilize Mac‘s students, faculty, and staff for all of their work to engage our community in this year’s election. I’m so proud that, this year, Macalester earned All In to Vote’s “Highly Established Action Plan Seal” for our 2024 election cycle democratic engagement plan, recognized as among the best in the country for promoting civic learning, political engagement, and student voter participation. 

I believe deeply that democracy works well only if we each assign ourselves the responsibility for taking care of it. All over campus, I’ve seen our community members engaging in this work: meeting with candidates, pitching in with campaigns, learning about elections and voting, helping classmates register, and talking with friends and colleagues about the importance of voting. I applaud each of you who organized, volunteered, and made your voices heard this election season.I am inspired and energized by the many ways our Mac community advocates for positive change. And I am grateful for all eligible voters who will fulfill their solemn responsibility to vote in this election.

October 29, 2024