The Minnesota Reformer and League of Women Voters of Minnesota, in partnership with the Leagues of Duluth, Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Mankato, are bringing communities together for a series of conversations about Minnesota’s 2026 elections.

Join us in the studio at St. Paul Neighborhood Network on October 8th to learn how Minnesota’s elections are administered, why they remain safe and secure, and what each of us can do to help keep them that way. Hear from local election officials, journalists, and League leaders as they share insights, answer questions, and explore how informed, engaged citizens help strengthen trust in our elections.

Come early! Chat with League of Women Voters of St. Paul & Minneapolis members, or  grab food or a beverage from OG ZaZA or Lake Monster before the program begins.

Whether you’re a longtime voter or simply curious about how our election system works, you’ll leave better informed about Minnesota elections and how you can help protect free and fair elections.

Panelists include:

• Patrick Coolican, Editor-in-Chief, Minnesota Reformer

• Judy Zaunbrecher, Minneapolis Election Judge and LWVMN Voter Service Chair

• David Triplett, Deputy Director, Ramsey County Property Tax, Records and Election Services

• Melanie Hazelip (tentative), Voter Outreach, Minnesota Secretary of State’s Offic

Minneapolis Central Library, Pohlad Hall, 300 Nicollet Mall Minneapolis, MN, 55401

Mpls School Districts At Large from 5-6pm

Mpls School Districts 1, 3 & 5 from 6:15-7:30

Free & Open to All.

Livestream for At Large Candidate Forum at 5pm

Livestream for District 1, 3 & 5 Candidate Forum at 6:15

The Center for Water Security and Cooperation is leading a process to develop an interstate water compact for the Mississippi River watershed. They are starting this process at the grassroots level with local communities and Tribal nations to ensure local voices are heard and shape the design of the compact.

Nile Blass, Regional LWVUS Organizer & Young Voter Power Initiative; Averie Younge, Co-Executive Director Vote16 MN; Sawyer Lepsch, Voter Engage Fellow at UoM Duluth

What do young people care about? Why doesn’t that always translate into voting? And how can we bridge that gap?

Watch recording HERE.

Candidate Forum Recording for HD 63A&B

Candidate Forum Recording for HD59B

September 16, 7-8:30 pm at Golden Valley City Hall.

Candidate Forum Recording HERE

Co-sponsors: League of Women Voters of Minneapolis, Golden Valley, Bloomington, Brooklyn Park, Osseo Maple Grove, Edina, Lake Minnetonka Plymouth Area, Minnetonka, Eden Prairie, Hopkins, New Hope Area, Richfield and St Louis Park.

In honor of Women's Equality Day, Women Defending Democracy welcomes former Minnesota State Representative Betty Folliard, a longtime advocate for the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA).

Watch recording HERE.

Thursday, July 23, 2026

*Recorded on July 23. 

House 60B recording

Senate 62 recording

Forum Co-sponsor: Twin Cities Documenters at MinnPost

Candidate Forum Recording 

Candidate Forum Recording

Candidate Forum Recording HERE

For this special session one year anniversary of WDD, we were thrilled to welcome Barbara McQuade as our guest speaker.

Watch recording HERE.

Candidate Forum recording is HERE

Find Out What You Didn't Know About The Results of The Charter Schools Initiative.

Pulling from several years of research, Professor Orfield has surprising data to share regarding the outcomes of charter schools and how they are reshaping education in the Twin City metro area. Get informed on a critical subject that impacts Minneapolis Public School students.

Watch recording HERE.

Public concern about law enforcement training and practices has grown, especially after Operation Metro Surge when ICE & other federal agents used excessive force, conducted dangerous vehicle pursuits, made aggressive stops and arrests, and engaged in crowd control tactics that felt both alarming and unlawful.  These moments have prompted an important question: What does ethical law enforcement look like, and how is the Mpls Police Department preparing both new and veteran officers to meet the new standards of non‑discriminatory policing outlined in MPD's Settlement Agreement with the MN Dept of Human Rights? 

Watch recording HERE.

Guest Speaker: Jill Burcum, Strib Editorial Board and two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist Burcum speaks to the growing threats to the free press, as corporate consolidation increasingly affects both local and national newspapers.

Watch recording HERE.

Climate change is one of the most urgent and complex challenges of our time. It affects everyone, but not equally.

Some communities that have historically faced racial, economic, and environmental injustices are more vulnerable and less resilient to the impacts of climate change. That is why the City of Mpls has developed a Climate Equity Plan that focuses on actions that benefit diverse and low-income communities, especially in the Green Zones, which are disproporionately harmed. Hear more about the underlying factors that contribute to disparities and solutions to address the problem. Learn about the issues from Jayda Pounds, Sustainability Program Coordinator, Mpls Dept of Health.

Watch recording HERE.

Special guest Kari Hong, Appellate Attorney at Florence Immigrant and Refugee Rights Project.

Professor Hong provided an overview of the rapid expansion of American detention centers and the for-profit detention industry.

Watch recording HERE

Federal, State, and Local Government: Who Controls Our Elections?

Guest Speaker David Schultz, Distinguished Professor of Political Science and Legal Studies at Hamline University.

What are the roles and powers of federal, state, and local governments when it comes to election administration and funding? What are possible disruptions to the 2026 elections and how can we prepare to ensure elections run smoothly.

Watch recording HERE.

Longtime advocate, former President of the LWVMpls, founder of the Eating Disorders Coalition, and a driving force behind the Anna Westin Act (2015),  Kitty Westin gives an advocacy training for WDD.  

Watch recording HERE.