Robust Voter Turnout in Local Cities
Voters came early to local polling places. Many voters cited national issues as reasons why they flocked to the polls. Plymouth had the second highest number of early voters among all cities in Hennepin County.
Brooklyn Center, Osseo Voters Drawn to Polls over National Issues
Voters came early and often to Precinct 4 in Brooklyn Center on Tuesday.
“I think my vote really means something,” said Robert Hill of Brooklyn Center, “and I think young people need to get out and vote.”
For some Brooklyn Center residents, the election is all about rejecting the policies of President Donald Trump and voting against anyone aligned with his views.
“He’s supposed to be making the country great again,” said Mike Solberg. “He’s not doing it, he’s making a farce of the presidency.”
An election judge says the turnout resembled turnout in an presidential race.
“Definitely a lot more people are engaged this year than they have been for other mid-term elections,” says election judge Sarah Wilks.
In Osseo, a steady stream of people showed up at city hall to cast their votes. Some also came to the polls lured by issues that were largely national in scope.
“I really wanted to see more about gun control,” said Ann Wills. “I think that’s getting to be pretty important.”
Northwest suburbs are crucial in Paulsen-Phillips Race
In Crystal, three precincts were located in one place at Neill Elementary. Election judges says there’s been a steady stream of voters coming in and out.
One of the biggest races in the country could be decided by voters in the northwest suburbs. The Third District Congressional Race is ground zero in the battle for control of the U.S. House. Democrats need 23 seats to flip the house. Republican and incumbent Erik Paulsen and his DFL-challenger Dean Phillips have waged a tough campaign.
“The polls for the third congressional district have been very close,” says Larry Jacobs, a professor with the University of Minnesota. “[The polls] have generally shown the Democrat up by a slight amount, but it’s within the margin of error. Frankly, I don’t know how this race is going to turn out. I think it’s going to come down to election day, who turns out to vote, if you see Democrats not turning out in a way that are expected, Erik Paulsen can clearly win this race. On the other hand, a big turn out by Democrats could end the congressional career of Erik Paulsen.”
High Absentee Numbers in Plymouth
At the beginning of the week, Plymouth had more than 13,000 absentee ballots. Hennepin County listed Plymouth as the second highest city generating absentee ballots next to Minneapolis.
Plymouth City Clerk Sandy Engdahl says voting has been brisk on election day. She expects numbers to be less than what’s usually seen during a presidential race, but not by much.
“There’s a lot of interest by voters this year in getting out and voting,” says Engdahl. “Plymouth is a very well-educated community. They are very civic minded. They like to get out and exercise their right to vote and every year they turn out.”
Brooklyn Center | Brooklyn Park | Crystal | Osseo | Plymouth
