Albert Lea follows state in lean toward DFL governor

 

According to preliminary results from the 2018 Students Vote Mock Election, students at Albert Lea High School are leaning blue.

Two hundred eighty-nine schools across the state are participating in the statewide mock election for governor and lieutenant governor. While 156 schools —  including Albert Lea High School — reported results Tuesday, many put off the mock elections until Election Day.

Results from Albert Lea High School’s 599 participating students showed DFL candidates Tim Walz and Peggy Flanagan leading the pack with 35 percent of votes. Republicans Jeff Johnson and Donna Bergstrom trailed with 28 percent of votes, while Grassroots-Legalize Cannabis candidates Chris Wright and Mary O’Connor garnered 23 percent. Libertarians Josh Welter and Mary O’Connor tied with write-in candidates, each attaining another 7 percent of the vote. Albert Lea High School turned in no spoiled ballots.

Statewide results were similar in order but gave a slightly wider leading margin to Walz and Flanagan. Of the 45,941 votes reported for ninth- through 12th-graders, Walz and Flanagan captured 41 percent, Johnson and Bergstrom 31 percent, Wright and Schwartzbacker 17 percent, Welter and O’Connor 6 percent and write-in candidates 5 percent.

“Minnesota high schools have stepped up to get kids engaged in our democracy,” said Secretary of State Steve Simon. “The participation levels we are seeing — 290 schools across the state — are remarkable. Minnesotans are a civically engaged people and programs like Students Vote help young Minnesotans establish good habits early. Many of these young people are on the cusp of turning 18 and having formal political power. I hope we have created for them some excitement about just how important it is to be a voter.”