As a priest of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, I would ask our archbishop, John Nienstedt, to prayerfully consider stepping down from his office. It would be healing for our state and our church and would show some magnanimity on his part. His misguided crusade to change our Constitution, spending more than a million dollars and, more importantly, much goodwill, has been rejected. Elections have consequences.

THE REV. MICHAEL TEGEDER, Minneapolis

• • •

Until 2:30 a.m. Wednesday, I sat in front of my laptop. Refresh. Refresh. Refresh. Slowly, each precinct reported the results. I nervously switched between the websites of Minnesota Public Radio, the Star Tribune and the Minnesota secretary of state.

With each page I was surprised to see Minnesota had voted no on the photo ID and marriage amendments. In a state where divisive politics has led to multiple government shutdowns and election recounts, we have shown the country one important thing: When put in the hands of our people ,the work gets done; we treat each other with respect, and we show that Minnesota is a state that puts justice, freedom and liberty above all else.

Thank you, Minnesotans, for breaking my cynicism. Thank you, Minnesotans, for showing the rest of the country to not be afraid. Thank you, Minnesotans, for not letting partisan politics define our fundamental values. Thank you, Minnesotans, for reserving our Constitution to giving freedoms, not restricting them. Thank you.

CODY CHAMBERLAIN, ST. LOUIS PARK