What is absentee voting?
You may find that you are unable to get to your polling place on Election Day but still want to vote in the election. You may choose to vote by absentee ballot for one of the following reasons: • Absence from your precinct • Illness or disability • Religious discipline or religious holiday • Serving as an election judge in another precinct You may cast an absentee ballot ahead of time either in-person or through the mail. Absentee Voting In-Person Where to go: • Your county auditor’s office • Many city and township clerks offer absentee voting at their offices When to go: • During the 30 days before the election • Monday – Friday during normal business hours • The last Saturday before Election Day from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. • The day before Election Day until 5:00 p.m. Absentee Voting By Mail To complete an absentee ballot by mail: 1. Obtain an absentee ballot application. Applications are available for downloading and printing from our website at: www.sos.state.mn.us. If you are serving in the military or are outside the U.S., visit our website at: https://minnesota.overseasvotefoundation.org to complete your absentee ballot request. Another option is to contact your county auditor or municipal clerk to obtain an Absentee Ballot Application. 2. Complete and return the application as soon as possible. You may submit your Absentee Ballot Application by fax, mail, or as a scanned image attached to an email. 3. Once the election official has received your completed application, an absentee ballot will be mailed to you as soon as ballots are available. 4. Complete and return the absentee ballot materials. The absentee ballot must reach your county or local election office by Election Day.
Absentee Voting Using a Designated Agent During the seven days preceding an election through 2:00 p.m. on Election Day, you may designate an agent to deliver a ballot to you if you are a patient of a health care facility, are disabled, have incapacitating health issues, are a participant in certain residential programs, or are a resident of a shelter for battered women or an assisted living facility. You must have a pre-existing relationship with the person you designate as an agent.
Minnesota Voter’s Guide
For more information about voting absentee in person, by mail or by using a designated agent, contact your county auditor or municipal clerk.
Important 2008 Election Year Dates:
Tuesday, August 19 Last day to pre-register to vote for the State Primary Saturday, September 6 Extended absentee voting hours from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday, September 8 Extended absentee voting hours until 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 9 State Primary Voting occurs between 7:00 a.m to 8:00 p.m. in most areas Tuesday, October 14 Last day to pre-register to vote for the state General Election Saturday, November 1 Extended absentee voting hours from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday, November 3 Extended absentee voting hours until 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 4 State General Election Voting occurs 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. in most areas
This brochure contains information related to the 2008 Election year, voter eligibility, and how to vote.
Updated to include 2008 legislative changes
Office of the Secretary of State State of Minnesota
180 State Office Building 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. St. Paul, MN 55155 Phone: 651- 215-1440 Toll Free: 1-877-600-8683 Minnesota Relay Service: 1-800-627-3529 Web site: www.sos.state.mn.us E-mail: elections.dept@state.mn.us. This document is available in alternate formats for individuals with disabilities.
Office of the Secretary of State State of Minnesota www.sos.state.mn.us
Which offices will appear on my ballot in 2008?
Federal: President and Vice President U.S. Senator U.S. Representative State: State Representative State Supreme Court Justices Judges of the Court of Appeals District Court Judges Local: County elected officials Mayor* City Council Members* Township officials* School board members* *Not all cities, townships and school boards will have offices on the ballot in 2008.
How do I register to vote?
Registration is the first step in the voting process. You must either complete a Voter Registration Application at least 21 days before Election Day or register on Election Day. Your registration remains current until you move, change your name, or do not vote for four consecutive years. You may update your registration information by completing another Voter Registration Application. New this year: if you move and submit a permanent forwarding order to the U.S. Postal Service, your voter registration may be automatically updated to your new address for you. You will know that it has been updated if you recieve a postcard with your new voting location. When registering, you are required to provide your residential address, which determines where you vote. Students must decide whether their residence is their address at school or a parent’s address. Students cannot register to vote at both addresses.
How do I register to vote on Election Day?
If you are not registered to vote or need to update your registration information, you may do so at your polling location on Election Day. In this case, you will be required to provide proof of residence. To successfully complete Election Day Registration: You must have one of the following: • A valid Minnesota Driver’s License, a learner’s permit, a Minnesota ID card, or a receipt for any of these containing a valid address in the precinct • A student identification card including your photo, if your college has provided a student housing list to election officials • A tribal ID card that contains your name, picture, signature and address in the precinct • A valid registration in the same precinct under a different name or address • A notice of late registration that was sent to you by your county auditor or city clerk • A voter registered in the same precinct as you who can confirm your address with a signed oath • An authorized employee of a residential facility where you reside who can confirm your address with a signed oath (the residential facility must provide a list of employees to election officials) Alternatively, you must provide two of the following: A photo ID from the first list below and a bill in your name showing your address from the second list below. Types of Photo IDs: Minnesota Driver’s License Minnesota ID Card United States Passport United States Military ID Minnesota University or Technical College ID Tribal ID Card Types of Bills, due within 30 days of the election: Gas Electric Telephone Cell phone TV (cable, satellite) Solid Waste Water Sewer Services Internet Services Student Fee Statement Rent Statement with itemized utilities
How do I mark my ballot?
Every Minnesota voter uses a paper ballot. However, there are three options for marking your ballot: 1. Use a pen 2. Use the AutoMARK ballot marking device The AutoMARK ballot-marking device allows voters with disabilities to vote independently and privately by providing various accessibility options for marking their ballot. It is equipped with a screen that can enlarge text or provide a high contrast display of the ballot for voters with limited vision, has headphones to allow a voter to listen privately to an audio version of the ballot, and has an additional connection for other accessibility devices. Voters using the AutoMARK select their candidates by touching the screen, using a key pad, or using an external accessibility device. The AutoMARK reads the voter’s choices and completes the ovals on the ballot for the selections made. The voter can then deposit the marked paper ballot into the ballot box. 3. Have another person assist you If you need assistance due to an inability to read English or to mark a ballot, you may obtain the aid of two election judges. Alternatively, you may have an individual of your choice assist you, with the exception of your employer, an agent of your employer, an officer or agent of your union, or a candidate for election.
When are the elections?
Voters may cast their ballots in a primary as well as a general election. In a primary, Minnesota voters narrow the field of candidates by choosing the candidates that will appear on the ballot in the general election. In the general election, voters elect candidates to office. Primary: Tuesday, September 9, 2008 General Election: Tuesday, November 4, 2008 Voting Hours: 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Voting begins at 10:00 a.m. in some townships State law allows you the right to take time off work without a reduction in pay to vote during the morning of a state primary and a state general election.
Where do I get a Voter Registration Application?
• Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State and its website: www.sos.state.mn.us • County Auditor’s Office or City Clerk’s Office • Public libraries • Locations where you apply, renew or change your Minnesota Driver’s License or ID card • Registrar’s office or student association at colleges, universities, or post-secondary schools • Government Pages within most phone books • State Income Tax booklets (even-numbered years) Voter Registration Applications are available in other languages and large format upon request through the Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State.
Am I eligible to vote?
You may register and vote if you meet all of the following requirements: • Must be a U.S. citizen • Must be at least 18-years-old on Election Day • Must have resided in Minnesota for 20 days immediately preceding Election Day • Must have completed any felony conviction or had it discharged • Must not be under court-ordered guardianship where a court has revoked your voting rights • Must not have been found legally incompetent by a court
What assistance is available to me on Election Day?
Polling places are fully accessible with clearly marked parking spaces, doors and routes to the voting area. If you are unable to leave your car to enter the polling place, election judges will bring a ballot and any registration materials to you in the vehicle if asked. This voting process is called “curbside voting.”
Where do I vote?
The Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State has partnered with county officials to create a polling place finder that can be used to locate where you vote. To locate your polling place, go to: http://pollfinder.sos.state.mn.us/. You may also contact your county auditor, city clerk or township clerk for specific location information.