By Mark Ritchie, Guest Column

Our democracy provides the framework that allows us to debate the merits of proposals and make decisions peacefully through voting. Unfortunately, many recent elections in rural and small-town Minnesota are doing just the opposite. Local school funding elections have turned into some of the most bitter community battles, figuratively tearing many small towns apart. The level of bitterness and legal disputes related to some of these elections is alarming.

As secretary of state, my job is to help local and county governments and school districts hold fair, free and affordable elections. My concern is not whether the levies pass or fail &8212; that is for the local communities to decide. I am worried about the impact these elections are having on our democracy. When campaigning turns ugly, it turns people off and weakens the democratic process. When campaigning includes misrepresentations and distortions, it brings out the worst in people and degrades our democracy. These elections cheapen all the sacrifices made to create and defend the system. When campaigning is done in ways that pit Minnesotans against one another, it tears at the very fabric of our society, the underpinning of our liberties and freedom.

The number of local school district elections is only going to increase. With under-funding of schools at the state level, many school boards in rural districts will feel forced to go to the local voters to ask for additional funds. Luckily, we can do something to make these local debates more civil and therefore less destructive to our democracy. Here are a few ideas.

First, we should do everything possible to reduce the use of professional campaign consultants to &8220;help&8221; local committees working for and against levies. Outside spinmeisters and &8220;swift boat-type&8221; ads are not helping.

Second, we should make sure that school boards and their staffs have the tools and resources needed to run first-rate elections. Democracy is not free. Voting is not a simple matter of gathering in a room and raising hands. We have strict laws about who can vote and who cannot, and we have systems in place to make sure these laws are enforced.

However, we have to make sure that everyone involved from top to bottom has the resources necessary to make sure the laws, rules and regulations are properly followed. Cuts to local government aid

and to county aid have made it harder for some local election officials to provide the services needed for local school district elections. We need to make sure no election can be challenged after the fact by ensuring everything is done right the first time.

Third, we can take the courageous step of speaking out against divisive behavior, dishonesty and personal attacks. True leaders will not stand by silently when disagreement is transformed into misrepresentation, distortion or hatred.

As your secretary of state I will be working with local school districts to ensure that these special elections are conducted in the professional way that Minnesotans expect. I will also be speaking out when the campaigning threatens the public&8217;s enthusiasm for our democracy. When so many of our young people are fighting to spread democracy around the world, we must all do our part to preserve and promote democracy and freedom right here at home.

Mark Ritchie is Minnesota&8217;s 21st secretary of state.