Minnesota Parties Open Offices, Push Absentee Vote
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Looking for an edge, Minnesota's Republican and Democratic-Farmer-Labor parties are promoting no-excuse absentee voting and setting up satellite offices around the state.
Both gave a glimpse Thursday at their get-out-the-vote operations in a year when voters will elect a governor, a U.S. senator and many other elected officials.
Republican Party Chairman Keith Downey says the GOP's 10 "victory" offices will be aimed first at helping endorsed candidates prevail in August primaries before turning to fall matchups. He says expanded use of absentee voting will augment this year's efforts.
Democrats say they have 18 campaign offices now open across the state, from Albert Lea in the south to Virginia in the north. They too are urging people to cast ballots ahead of time either in person or through the mail.
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