Students prepare for midterm elections

Election season is upon CSB+SJU students, with election day on Nov. 8 and early voting running until Nov. 7.

In the city of St. Joseph, incumbent Rick Schultz faces a challenge from current city councilmember Kelly Beniek. Current city councilmembers Kevin Kluesner and Jon Hazen and firefighter and St. Joe Planning Commission member Adam Scepaniak are vying for two spots on the city council. On-campus Bennies and off-campus Johnnies living in St. Joseph can vote in these races.

Outside of St. Joseph, Republican Scott Jensen and running mate Matt Birk are challenging current Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan. District representative elections are also taking place across the state.

In the last midterm election in 2018, 55% of Bennies and 52% of Johnnies voted, well above the national average of 36% for 18-29 year-olds. Across Minnesota, 64% of residents cast a ballot that year, with 18-24 year olds accounting for the lowest turnout. In the 2020 presidential election, nearly 85% of Bennies and nearly 82% of Johnnies voted, with higher than the rates of 81% and nearly 71% recorded for Bennies and Johnnies, respectively, in the 2016 elections.

The McCarthy Center provided voter guides for students, and the CSB and SJU athletic departments distributed these guides to athletes. For out-of-state students, the McCarthy Center and the Multicultural Center partnered to host an out-of-state voting workshop on Oct. 4.

For general voting information, visit your home state’s secretary of state website. For more information on elections in St. Joseph, visit cityofstjoseph.com/198/Elections.