WILLMAR—For three years running, Minnesota has led the nation in voter turnout, with 79.6% of eligible voters casting ballots in the last general election.

That still leaves one in five eligible voters not exercising their right to have a say in our democracy.

That figure explains why Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon and Simone Frierson, voter outreach director for the office, gathered Wednesday morning at the Midtown Plaza in Willmar with representatives from a variety of organizations. They came looking both to build partnerships to promote voter turnout as well as learn the challenges that must be met.

“It shows us that the state really cares about Willmar,” said Abdirizak “Zack” Mahboub, co-owner of the Midtown Plaza and a Somali interpreter. He pointed out one of the challenges that keep many from voting: Not every new citizen is able to read or write in English, even when they can speak the language.

Read the full article by the West Central Tribune.