Message From Eden Prairie Mayor

Minnetonka MN

06 November, 2020

1:26 PM

Description

Press release from the City of Eden Prairie: November 6, 2020 "While I definitely wouldn't categorize 2020 as a banner year, it certainly has been a significant one that has affected us all in unique and challenging ways. And who would ever have predicted we'd be conducting a major election during a pandemic! We are fortunate in Eden Prairie to have such experienced, thoughtful and skilled City employees running our elections. I am so proud of how smoothly the voting process, tabulation and reporting of our results occurred. Our community can take pride in this accomplishment! Our elections team, led by City Clerk Kathleen Porta, always does an amazing job and 2020 was no exception. Planning began over a year ago, which includes recruiting, hiring and training residents as election judges, coordinating with our precinct locations, handling logistics for processing and delivering ballots to Hennepin County, and responding to residents with questions, among many other responsibilities. In addition to these typical activities, plans were continually adjusted as rules and health and safety guidelines changed due to the pandemic, including a court ruling five days before Election Day. This year, 15 election judges worked tirelessly through six weeks of in-person absentee voting at City Center, processing up to 1,200 voters a day, and on Election Day, 328 election judges staffed Eden Prairie's 20 precincts. I wish I could personally thank each and every one of you who helped our community conduct a major election despite the challenges associated with the pandemic. We all owe you a debt of gratitude for your service! The election could not have gone so smoothly without the efforts of many other staff members from across all City departments and support areas, from Public Works to Information Technology and Facilities to Public Safety. Simply put, our City employees are the best around! I would also like to commend our residents for their outstanding level of participation in this election. A record for Eden Prairie was set with 89% voter turnout that included 63% of eligible residents having voted early or absentee. While at times the lines were long for early voters, everyone waited patiently to exercise their right to vote. Thank you to all of the candidates who campaigned to serve our community at every level. Making the decision to run for office is a life-changing experience that shows how much you truly care about your neighbors and our children's future. Whether you won or lost, your participation helped diversify the conversation which is necessary for our democracy to thrive. And finally, congratulations to Council Member PG Narayanan who will retain his seat and Lisa Toomey for being elected to her first term on the City Council. I look forward to you both joining me and Council Members Kathy Nelson and Mark Freiberg as together we continue the good work of serving our residents beginning Jan. 5, 2021. By any measure, Eden Prairie is a strong, healthy, vibrant and thriving community. Along with my Council colleagues, I feel so honored and fortunate to be leading this City during these exciting and definitely challenging times knowing that, at the end of the day, Eden Prairie's success will always be built on the resolute strength and compassion of its people." With Gratitude, Mayor Ron Case This press release was produced by the City of Eden Prairie. The views expressed here are the author's own.