As the 2012 elections heat up and the margins narrow, it can be difficult to cut through the clutter. More than 1.5 million Minnesotans are members of our state's 137 credit unions. As owners of their not-for-profit financial institutions, many credit union members want to know where candidates stand on the issues that are important to credit unions.

In the summer of 2012, the Minnesota Credit Union Network contacted every individual aspiring to represent Minnesota in Congress, the state Senate and the House of Representatives. Each candidate received a five-question survey and a "Credit Union 101” version of MnCUN's Credit Union Courier newsletter.

The results of those surveys are included in the 2012 Credit Union Voter Guide. The Network is happy to report that all respondents conveyed strong support for the credit union movement and agreed that protecting consumer choice of financial institutions and keeping credit unions' not-for-profit tax status was important.

To assist credit unions in promoting this guide to members, MnCUN has created a sample article that can be personalized and used in the credit union's newsletter. This article can be used to inform your members about the level of credit union support expressed by particular candidates. Or feel free to edit the article to generally promote voting in the November elections.

• 2012 Credit Union Voter Guide
• Sample Newsletter Article

We hope that this Voter Guide will serve as an important tool for credit union members to use when deciding whom to support in this year's elections.

Additional Election Resources

The Minnesota Credit Union Network is committed to helping credit union members prepare for the upcoming elections. The resources highlighted below provide information on various aspects of the election process.

• Minnesota Secretary of State Website: This website provides information on registering to vote, finding your polling place, absentee voting and more.
• CUNA's Election Webpage: This election webpage provides credit union-specific information about the elections. Learn about credit union involvement in the national conventions, credit union political fundraising, get out the vote materials and more.