Students: Welcome to Campus, Get Ready to Vote NO!

The Minnesota Public Interest Research Group (MPIRG) was founded by students at the University of Minnesota who recognized that decision makers were ignoring the responsible solutions to Minnesota’s biggest problems. Students knew then, as they do today, that the problems facing Minnesota would not be solved in the lecture hall or the library. They were eager to bridge the gap between learning about and acting on the pressing problems of the day. They came together to establish a nonprofit organization that would utilize the tools in our democratic system to create lasting change on social, environmental, and consumer rights issues – they called the group MPIRG.

A cornerstone of our work has always been to engage young people our democracy, and elections play a critical role. For over 40 years we have prepared our peers to vote by ensuring access to the tools they need to make it to the polls and successfully exercise their right to vote. Young people will inherit our State, so it is important we have a voice in electing the decision makers we will hold accountable.

In 2008, MPIRG chapters registered over 16,000 students to vote across Minnesota.

This election, not only are we voting on legislators, but we must protect our constitution from voter restrictions and discrimination. That is why MPIRG chapters across the state created the Vote NOvember 6 campaign, and are pledging students to vote NO on the marriage and voter ID amendments. We must make our voices heard and fight for our future, because we do not want Minnesota to end up on the wrong side of history.

With over 5,000 students registered or pledged to vote NO already, we are excited to Get Out the Student Vote this NOvember!

Emma Wright, MPIRG Board Chair