Many in Minnesota have called for a 1.4 million dollar budget to upgrade the current 14 year-old voter registration system for increased security and efficiency, including Minnesota’s chief election officer, Democratic Secretary of State Steve Simon.

The improvements would mostly consist of cybersecurity updates, meaning writing new code to improve the system’s ability to detect and repel intruders. Minnesota needs this update to ensure democratic security both from foreign influences and homegrown security threats like voter fraud, especially after a legislative auditor’s report said the system is “showing signs of strain” according to the Star Tribune.

Simon believes Minnesota voter registration updates are a “a critical and urgent priority” according to the Pioneer Press. Democracy is at the core of the American ideal and constant updates are needed to preserve this right.

According to MPR News, Minnesota was one of the 21 states targeted by Russian hackers in the 2016 election. There was no security breach and no damage was done in Minnesota, as hackers only probed defense systems currently in place. The fact hackers even tried should be motive enough. Minnesota must take steps to ensure the same security holds in the future.

In the 21st century, new technologies mean ways of managing such technology must increase in sophistication as exponentially fast as said technology does. Such a goal should transcend any political or monetary roadblocks. Wanting to ensure our constitutional republic remains protected should be an overtly bipartisan goal. Regardless of one’s political beliefs, one should stop at nothing to make sure those beliefs remain protected, and ensure everyone’s vote matters.

With a renaissance of previously stagnant political initiatives, one example being the newest generation calling for gun control in the March For Our Lives Movement, activists made it clear their agenda was only beginning with the march. Thousands of new voters registered at the march on March 24, 4,800 new voters at 30 different March for Our Lives events nationwide in a single day, and according to HeadCount, a nonpartisan organization that promotes participation in democracy, and those numbers don’t even include online registration. This new surge of voters means it’s more important than ever to make sure their vote, and everyone’s vote matters.

Studies also show better voting systems increase voter turnout, which is essential considering the United States has a relatively low voter turnout, with only 50% of eligible youth voters voting in the 2016 presidential election, a slight increase from the 49% in the 2012 election, according to the Brookings Institute.

More youth will become more involved in politics if they know their vote is secure, their vote matters and if voting is made easily accessible for them. Youth and any other voter shouldn’t just be told to vote, they should be shown the importance a safe, secure and informed vote can have in a democracy. This 1.4 million voter registration security update is needed to guarantee this holds true in Minnesota.