MINNEAPOLIS — Primary elections have famously low voter turnout, and, according to Minnesota's Secretary of State, doesn't necessarily have a correlation to how voters will show up for the general election.
"That's because in primary elections, as opposed to a general election, it really depends so so much on what is on the ballot in that particular place," said Steve Simon, Secretary of State.
Simon pointed to the 5th Congressional District as one that may see larger numbers of voters. That’s where Ilhan Omar and Don Samuels are once again battling it out.
"She's been our representative for a number of years, and I voted for her every time," said Julia Miller, who cast her ballot at the Powderhorn Recreation Center. "She is such a strong voice for progressive issues."
Others in that district are hoping for a candidate that aligns with their values.
"Sometimes you need a change," said Shelli, who also cast a vote at the rec center.
In Anoka, an array of different opinions were heard as voters left the polls. Sheryl Godding considers herself a moderate leaning toward Harris.
"Over my lifetime, I've been both Republican and Democratic," she said. "So I have been a conservative Democrat and probably a progressive Republican. School safety is just huge. Violence, the crazy violence in our world."
Conservative voters also made their way to the polls, including Kurt Suleski of Ramsey.
Suleski says he has been suspicious of his country's election seasons, but see's that as even more reason to vote.
"I like to vote on issues involving Second Amendment rights," said Suleski. "I also vote on freedom of speech. I think the entire abortion issue should be taken off the off the political roles, and left to the individual people to do."
Nearly everyone who KARE 11 reporter Samie Solina spoke with say they religiously vote in every election. But Tasha Crazy Bull says after years of not casting a ballot, 2020 changed that for her.
"I just realized how important it is for our community to vote, the Native community," she said. "Before, I was taught to not vote."
Crazy Bull recalled a time where her community didn't always encourage casting a ballot. She said she felt many Native Americans didn't believe some issues related to them, or they felt they didn't have a voice.
"I just recently realized how important it is, and to teach my young kids how important it is," she said.
