1998 marks a year of significant political change in Minnesota. There will be a new Governor and Attorney General. The entire delegation of the Minnesota House of Representatives is up for election. Who will lead the state from the Governor's office? Who will be the state's chief enforcement officer? Which political party will control the Minnesota House? Who will sit in legislative leadership positions in the House? Who will chair the key committees responsible for public health issues? We can sit around and wait for the answers to these questions or we can organize and try to have an impact on how public health issues will be addressed in the years to come.

Most nonprofit organizations are prohibited by IRS regulations and campaign laws from endorsing specific candidates or attempting to influence the outcome of any specific election. However, there is no prohibition against nonprofits using the attention that important issues receive in an election year to raise these issues into the public view. What better time to inject these issues into election campaigns? Public health issues have a lot riding on the upcoming elections. Citizens and organizations have a right to know how candidates stand on issues of importance and a right to let candidates know how the community views these same issues.

What can you or your organization do?

• Attend candidate forums and ask questions about how candidates stand on issues of importance. Do you support statewide mandatory compliance checks on all alcohol license holders? What do you think should be done with the tobacco settlement? Should people injured by an underage drinker be able to sue the adult who provided the alcohol in order to recover their damages?
• Set up meetings with candidates. Ask them how they view your issues. Let them know about your organization, what it does and how you stand on the issues. Ask for their support. (If you ask an incumbent about specific legislation it may be considered a lobbying expenditure. If you are asking about general policy it is not considered lobbying.)
• Send a mailing to all candidates for public office. Inform them about your organization and issues. Ask them about their stances on your issues or ask for a meeting to discuss these issues.
• Generate media attention for your issues. Election season brings increased public attention to issues, especially if candidates are talking about them. Media people are more tuned in to policy debates during election time. It is a good time to promote general awareness about your organization and specific actions you would like to see happen.
• Involve as many people and organizations as possible. Include youth. The more candidates view this issue as important to the community, the more attention it will generate.
• As a private individual you can get involved in any of the campaigns you are interested in. Volunteer personally to help.
• Contact Minnesota Join Together if you or your organization is interested in youth access to alcohol policy issues.

We have the right, and I would argue the obligation, to get involved and help shape how these issues will be addressed by our future policy makers. The leaders elected on November 3rd will have tremendous impact on public health policy for many years to come. Don't just stand on the sidelines and wait until November 4th to see what happens. The health of our youth and communities depends on your involvement.