MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota — A coalition of community, faith and civil-rights organizations gathered in Minnesota Thursday to encourage eligible voters to participate in the upcoming general election and to make use of the state’s early voting options.
Speaking at the event, Yusuf Abdulle, executive director of the Islamic Association of North America and a member of the Somali-American Partnership, urged Minnesotans to vote and emphasized the importance of civic participation.
“We cannot emphasize enough. Our votes are very important,” Abdulle said, encouraging eligible voters to participate in the election.
Abdulle also connected the call for voting to concerns raised by immigrant and Muslim communities following federal immigration enforcement operations in Minnesota. He urged voters to consider issues such as justice, unity and the interests of their communities when making their decisions.
Rico Duran of COPAL, a Latino community-organizing organization, said recent events involving federal immigration enforcement had affected families and communities across Minnesota. He described the coalition’s work during that period, including community support, constitutional observation and assistance to families and small businesses.
“We organized across race, language, religion, geography, and immigration status,” Duran said, emphasizing cooperation among different communities.
Jean Massey of FairVote Minnesota reminded voters that Minnesota provides several ways to participate in elections. According to the Minnesota Secretary of State, ballots for the November 3, 2026 general election become available for mail and in-person absentee voting on September 18. The state’s formal early-voting period begins October 16, while Election Day is November 3.
Massey encouraged voters to check their registration, review their ballots and learn where and how they can vote.
Hwa Jung Kim, executive director of Minnesota Voice, also urged people to vote early and encouraged voters who need assistance with transportation or other voting-related support to seek help from community organizations.
Representatives at the event also addressed concerns about whether some immigrant community members may be afraid to go to polling places.
Julio Murificelaya of the American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota said some community members experienced fear following immigration enforcement activity and emphasized that eligible voters have the right to participate in elections.
Minnesota election officials also have rules designed to protect voters at polling locations. State law generally prohibits people from interfering with voters going to or from a polling place, and campaigning is prohibited in polling places and within the designated 100-foot area.
An election judge participating in the press conference said election workers are trained to help voters and maintain orderly polling locations.
The Minnesota Secretary of State’s Office says voters can check registration information, find polling locations and review voting information through the state’s election resources. Voter registration information and election resources are also available in Somali and several other languages.
The November 3 general election will include statewide, congressional, legislative and judicial races, among other contests.
Community leaders at Thursday’s event ended the press conference with a common message: eligible Minnesotans should learn about the candidates and issues on their ballots, understand their voting options and participate in the election.
View the list of early voting locations here
