In two months voters in Congressional District 1 (which includes Rock County) will face the first of several ballots to fill the U.S. representative vacancy.
I say “several” ballots because in the middle of filling the vacancy for five months, another vote will take place to fill the same position during the November general election for the two-year term beginning in January.
The best scenario would be that the same person is selected in both elections, giving that person 2.5 years to settle into the position.
Until the elections, the process and vote schedule will be confusing, and I predict most of us will not care enough about politics to even participate.
I am determined to not only participate but also to be an informed voter.
Just days into the task, I’m already overwhelmed.
In the upcoming May 24 primary, 20 people plunked down the $300 filing fee to have their name included on the ballot.
At a glance, 10 candidates are registered Republicans, eight are Democrats and two are from parties who want to legalize cannabis in the state.
There are three women and 17 men.
The candidates themselves range from former legislators to spouses of former legislators.
Getting to know the candidates personally is impossible. Technology is the quickest avenue to get to know the candidates.
Even the internet is proving to be limited.
Not all the candidates have websites dedicated to introducing themselves to the 679,000 people who live in CD 1.
Some have been covered by the statewide news agencies while others have stories available from their hometown media outlets. Still others have nothing on the worldwide web or in print.
I am not giving up on making an informed decision. I hope you won’t either. Their names appear on the Minnesota Secretary of State website, sos.state.mn.us.