“We need to pull people into the excitement.” Minnesota Secretary of State, Mark Ritchie. He wasn’t just talking about the wonderful table of breads, bars and coffee at the League of Women Voters event last Saturday, he was talking about voter turnout. At 8:45 AM in the parking lot of St. John’s Lutheran Church, there were only a few cars with guests just starting to meander inside. In the entrance hall a couple college students were helping set up decorations and media equipment for a volunteer requirement in a class called “An American Conversation” at St. Olaf. Another room echoed with ladies chatting away over treats.

I had just sat down to notice the high-vaulted wood beam ceiling and a dozen plastic round tables in front of an empty podium when I was greeted by Cannon Falls’ League at-large board member, Allene Moesler. The goal of the League of Women Voters, she said, was “all about voter education and informing the citizenry.” She expressed that although The League is nonpartisan it does take sides on the issues it has been criticized for being too liberal leaning in recent years. Recruitment for new members has also been waning in the younger generations and is difficult with aging leadership.

A huge volunteer sign up table had scattered name tags and pens so I affixed mine and sat down. After a leisurely start, Secretary Ritchie was introduced, wearing a navy blue tie with the words to the Constitution in white cursive on it. Opportunities like this won’t arise very often as he isn’t seeking reelection for another term this season. Minnesota is number one across the country in a slew of aspects of government and voter turnout specifically, is consistently high. Ritchie offered up three ways to maintain and increase this civic involvement: 1) Easy Information and Knowledge 2) Welcoming Atmosphere 3) Address Voter Apathy. The last of these “is the tougher thing,” said Ritchie and his talk further highlighted the importance of youth political participation. He recommended that a discussion about personal values is a deeper way to connect to anyone who doesn’t feel included. Schools could start to use voting machines for homecoming king and queen to familiarize students with the system before they’re eligible. Some of his colleagues even send out birthday cards to every new eighteen year old to sort of welcome them to the club.

Five audience questions, anecdotes and comments later, Ritchie was thanked and everyone dispersed for more snacks from the food table because it was nearing eleven o’clock. Moesler introduced me to the secretary and after a quick picture I was encouraged by both of them to further my interest in government and involve others. During his speech, Mark Ritchie talked about the old Midwestern adage- “You want to make hay when the sun is shining.” He continued that “The next decade is a good time for making hay.”