From hunters in Fergus Falls to performance artists at Lake Winona, from recreationists to land stewards, all supported the statewide campaign for the Legacy amendment. The key was getting out the vote, across campuses and communities.

Behind the scenes, the political machine employed hightech strategies plus old-fashioned grass-roots effort. Above, Justin Fay, campaign field director, stuffs bags with Vote Yes literature. Below, an employee works the phone.

The Legacy Amendment campaign honed its message to connect with voters— especially the younger generation, so active during the 2008 election. What polling and research by the Conservancy consistently showed: People care about clean water.

Ken Martin had led lots of political campaigns, but never an issue driven campaign before. The Legacy issue intrigued him: “I wanted to make sure those things passed on to my kids.”

On election day the lines were long and tension was high. The Senatorial race wasn’t the only one running neck and neck in Minnesota. The numbers coming in on the ballot vote were swinging wildly, the results looking grim, and the campaign was up in the air.