Rain doesn't dampen voter turnout in Blaine, Columbia Heights, where ICE was top of mind
Go Deeper.
Create an account or log in to save stories.
Like this?
Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.
Voters dashed through downpours to cast their ballots all day long in Blaine and Columbia Heights, undeterred by the rainfall. In Columbia Heights in particular, many voters said they were determined to vote to counter what happened 10 months ago here in the bitter cold and snow.
Voters scurried into Valley View Elementary School in Columbia Heights Tuesday, mindful of the fact that several of the school’s students and their families were targeted by U.S. Immigration and Customs enforcement actions in January and February of this year.
One man who had just voted chose not to share his name. But he said he was motivated to vote by the aggressive federal immigration enforcement actions in the state, particularly in Columbia Heights. Having lived in a communist country, he does not want a similar situation to develop in the United States. He said what happened with ICE in Minnesota should not occur here.
Several other voters in Columbia Heights also told MPR News that federal immigration enforcement actions motivated them to head to the polls. Logan Bender, 31, a Columbia Heights resident, said, “it's a lot of issues all mixed together, but relevant to Minnesota would be condemning ICE actions.” He also cited the affordable housing crisis, the economy and high inflation, and concerns about keeping water unpolluted from data centers as additional reasons for his vote.
Turn Up Your Support
MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all.
At Eagle Brook Church in Blaine, people hurried to and from their vehicles to avoid getting soaked, and a line formed in the church's entryway. Among them was a young woman who appeared to be proud to be voting for the first time.
Katie Landwehr, head election judge at Valley View Elementary School, said the flow of voters has been very steady at the school today.
“We had all of the booths filled right away at 7 a.m. this morning,” Landwehr said. “We had a line up, waiting to go and just people have been steady going through. So, we've been very happy to see good old turnout.”
Landwehr also noted that many senior citizens braved the rain to vote, and the booths remained busy later in the afternoon.
Alice Koski, 74, said she voted primarily due to healthcare issues and the rising costs of gas and food.
“I was just in the hospital. I just got released and diagnosed with diabetes, type 2, so I had quite a scare,” Koski said. “It was very important for me to come here and be here. I said, ’Come hell or high water, I'm coming to vote!’ Same with hubby.”
Her husband, Virgil Koski, 77, echoed her sentiment, saying he felt he had “little choice in what’s happening” in the U.S. and that it was important for him to have a say. “I figure it's your right to vote, so you have to vote,” Virgil Koski said.
