As the November second mayoral and city council elections approach, Minnesotans are thinking about the implications of a new era of political figures. So far, there are many positions to vote for on the ballot, including the mayor and city council president. You can find the candidates for both mayoral and city council positions at Kare 11 News. Because so many positions of importance have been freed up for this election, voters have an opportunity to shape the local government and have a hand in deciding what issues they value most and want on the top of the news agenda.

Sophomore Audrey Leatham spends some free time reading about the upcoming mayoral candidates and discussing them with her parents. She said,”I think I value them [local and national elections] equally…they have different impacts.”

Upper School history teacher Andrea Sachs is very involved in local government as she is the vice-chair of the Saint Paul Democratic-Farmer-Labor party (DFL). Sachs said it would be good for all students to keep up with local government because “It is a really good way to get out of the SPA bubble.”

Leatham also said, “Locally, it is really important that we know what is happening in our city, and we know the people that are controlling school districts and construction work.” Further reinforcing Sachs’s point.

Sachs also discussed how many vital things in our community, such as the death of George Floyd and the riots that followed, are very prominent in local elections.

Leatham is a very devoted individual who takes time and cares to learn about our local government. Other students, such as sophomore David Kopilenko, find it harder to get involved in local government. Kopilenko said, “I have a dislike for politics from past experiences with other friends, so I personally don’t like talking about them.”

Aside from a handful of seniors, most students in the SPA community are unable to vote. Thus younger students do not yet have a significant say in the outcome of the election. As the November second elections approach, it is time to start thinking about how much attention you will give it and how important the choices you make are to our community. In case you are interested, here is a link to an example ballot.