Amid growing concerns about the voting and counting process, Democratic government Tim Walz reached out to his predecessors to create unprecedented publicity reassuring people about the integrity of the 2020 election
In a video released Wednesday, Walz, Democrat Mark Dayton, Republican Tim Pawlenty and Jesse Ventura, who ran as Reform Party candidates before moving to the Independence Party during their tenure, warn Minnesotans that results may take longer than usual They called this year « the most important election of our lives » and called for « courtesy and decency » around the result
In another signal to viewers, the governors were shown removing their face masks before speaking and putting them back on after
Their post comes as President Donald Trump has frequently expressed concerns about the legitimacy of postal voting It also follows news from a company that it is sending armed guards to protect polling stations of Minnesota This Tennessee-based company, Atlas Aegis, canceled the effort after facing lawsuits and an investigation from the state attorney general’s office
« Our state is proud to have one of the safest and most secure electoral systems in the entire country, » Pawlenty says in the announcement
Walz reminds voters that with so many people voting by mail, it might take longer to verify who wins Dayton notes there may not be a clear winner on election night
« A delay just means our system is working and we are counting every ballot, » Ventura said
« But no matter who wins, let’s demonstrate the courtesy and decency for which the people of Minnesot are known, » Pawlenty adds
The video went quickly, according to Walz spokesperson Teddy Tschann The governor’s office came up with the idea on Friday and Walz reached out to his three predecessors, who agreed to participate and film the announcement Monday
The Minnesota Secretary of State’s Office has asked 13 celebrities to join a campaign to encourage voter turnout, including former Minnesota Twins star Joe Mauer and actor Josh Hartnett, who grew up in the state
« Every year Minnesota leads the country in voter turnout and in 2020 we’re going to lead the country in voter safety, » Mauer said in a video tweeted by the secretary’s office. State Steve Simon In the tweet, Simon’s office urged people to reduce the spread of COVID-19 by voting by mail from their homes
The production of the various TV spots and videos on social media cost around $ 75,000, spokeswoman for Secretary of State Risikat Adesaogun said But she said the office’s comprehensive public information campaign cost more than $ 800,000. Federal stimulus money covered that cost, and the office also received a grant of more than $ 1 million for them. voter education efforts of the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, an organization created by Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan
Jessie Van Berkel writes about Minnesota government and politics at the Star Tribune She previously covered St Paul City Hall and local government in the South Subway
Tim Walz, Tim Pawlenty, Mark Dayton, Governor of Minnesota, Jesse Ventura, Coronavirus
World News – United States – In unprecedented ad, 4 Minnesota governors call to the « civility » around the elections
