Voters talk importance of primary day ballot

(ABC 6 News) – It’s a unique day in Minnesota politics as polls open in a special primary election. Voters are having their say on who they want to fill the seat left in Congressional District One following the death of Jim Hagedorn.

While it is just one position voters are voting on, for many, Tuesday is about the privilege to vote.

"Because of the outcome of the last election, it’s very important people get out and vote," said Terri Simonson of Mower County. "It’s a privilege to vote."

Fred Paulson, another voter in Mower County said, "I don’t think a lot of people realize there was a vote today. I just think it’s the American thing to do."

While many people were placing their votes, Secretary of State Steve Simon made stops at polling locations. Not to vote, but to make sure it’s a fair process for everyone.

"After the last election there was some general misunderstandings about who does what," explained Simon. "So for example, our office never handles or touches ballots. We don’t count ballots in any way. That happens at a local level."

Voters have a chance to pick between 10 republicans, eight DFLers, and two cannabis candidates. They can vote either in-person, absentee, or curbside.

So how fast will we find out who gets to run to fill that congressional seat? Historically, Minnesota has a record of quick election night reporting. Something Simon said he expects to be the same thing for this special primary.