Today, across Minnesota: Democracy, township-style

Move over, Donald. There's another election coming up in Minnesota.

Actually, there are hundreds of them.

Tuesday is Township Day in Minnesota, when many of the state's 1,781 townships will host elections and decide their tax levels for the next year.

The townships may be tiny — they have an average population of 350 — but they represent one of the last forms of grassroots democracy in the state.

Township residents hold direct power over their local government's decisions. And though they're not the loudest civic voice in the state, townships are home to thousands of Minnesotans.

On Township Day, a primer.

What makes townships different from cities or towns?

The difference mostly has to do with the services townships provide to residents, said Gary Pedersen, executive director of the Minnesota Association of Townships.

Townships typically handle road maintenance, fire protection and will sometimes maintain a community center. But policing is often handled by a county's sherriff's department. Septic systems and wells are mostly run privately.

Cities and towns provide a much greater breadth of services and facilities to their residents, but their tax base, population and government funding are also much higher.

How do the elections and tax-setting procedures work?

Township elections for supervisors and clerks use traditional balloting. At night, things get more interesting.

"[Township government] is true grassroots, because you have neighbor dealing with neighbor."

In townships, residents set their own tax levels at annual meetings that typically begin on voting day after the polls close. "We are the only form of government that does that," Pedersen said.

Because it's the residents who decide what they'll pay that year, the township meetings are highly personal. People attend so they have a chance to discuss specific issues — if the road by their house needs work, for instance.

"I don't think you have that as much in the cities and higher forms of government," Pedersen said. "That's why [township government] is true grassroots, because you have neighbor dealing with neighbor."

And while many Minnesota townships hold their elections and set their taxes today, others will do so in November.

What are some of the biggest issues for townships in Minnesota?

Transportation and broadband access top the list. That's what the township association will prioritize this legislative session, Pedersen said.

Minnesota has over 50,000 miles of township roads, many with bridges. Those are the most expensive to maintain — and it's crucial they remain safe — so most transportation funding goes to bridges, Pedersen said.

High-speed broadband access is spotty in many of the rural areas, which is where townships tend to be located. Pederson's group will ask the state for help expanding broadband to the areas that don't have fast, reliable internet access. Pedersen said it's especially important for students — and for online health care.

What does the Minnesota Association of Townships do?

Its biggest role is educational, Pedersen said. That includes teaching officers how their roles are defined in state law and providing training on finance software.

The nonprofit corporation also keeps three attorneys on staff to help deal with legal matters. And it offers a range of insurance options townships can purchase and lobbies at the state Capitol on behalf of townships.