Voter Information

Find your precinct and polling place Using the Secretary of State Polling Place Finder
Map of House District 60B

From the Minnesota Secretary of State Voter Guide:

State general: Tuesday, November 4, 2008
State primary: Tuesday, Spetember 9, 2008
Voting hours 7 am to 8 pm

What if I work on Election Day?

Minnesota law allows you to take time off from work with pay to vote during the morning of state elections. If you will be away from home on Election Day, take a look at the What is absentee voting? section.

Who can vote?

You can vote if you are all of the following:
18 years of age or older on Election Day
a US citizen
a Minnesota resident for at least 20 days before the election
a resident of your precinct on Election Day
not under "guardianship of the person"
not legally incompetent

In MN ex-felons automatically have their civil rights restored, including the right to vote, once they are done serving their sentence, including probation and parole.

Where do I vote?

Generally you vote in the neighborhood where you live. You may call your county auditor or city clerk for the address of your polling place. If you recently registered to vote (see below), you will receive a postcard that tells you the location of your polling place. You can also look up your polling place location on the Secretary of State's web site.
* Redistricting may have changed your polling place.

Getting registered...

Before you can vote, you need to be on the official list of voters. This is called being "registered." You need to register if you just became eligible to vote, moved, changed your name, or haven't voted in the last four years.

The easiest way to register is to complete a voter registration card and mail it to or drop it off at the office of your city clerk, county auditor, or the Secretary of State's Office.

When you fill out the card, remember that you can only vote where you live! For example, if you are a student living at school, you must choose whether to register at home or at school, but not both.

Fill out your registration form carefully and exactly. Make sure to check the box confirming US citizenship. Any errors or omissions could cause your form to be rejected. If you do not receive registration confirmation in the mail be prepared to register at your polling place.

Where can I get a voter registration card?

At state, county, or city offices
At public libraries
Where you apply for, renew, or change your Minnesota driver's license or ID card
In state income tax booklets (in even-numbered years)
From the registrar's office or student association at colleges, universities, and technical schools
From many businesses, stores, and community groups
From the government pages of most phone books
Secretary of State Website at www.sos.state.mn.us.

Can I register on Election Day?

If you miss registering before the election, you can register on Election Day at your polling place. However, you will need proof of your identity and the address where you are living on Election Day.

Use one of these for proof...

MN drivers license, learners permit, MN ID card, or receipt for one, authorized federal tribal ID, all with your current address.
An original utilities bill with your name and current address*, along with a photo ID. Acceptable photo IDs: military ID, US Passport, Student ID, Tribal ID issues by a tribe located in MN or a MN drivers license listing your previous address.
"Notice of Late Registration" postcard
Use a voucher- a person who is registered to vote in your precinct. The voucher will take an oath at the polling place swearing that they know that our live in the precinct. If you live in a residential facility, an employee can vouch for you. (Note that if you register by having someone vouch for you, you may not vouch for someone else that day).
U.S. passport with utility bill*
U.S. military photo ID card with utility bill*
If you are a student, you can use...
Student photo ID, registration, or fee statement with your current address
Student photo ID with utility bill*
Student photo ID if you are on a student housing list on file at the polling place
* Note: The utility bill must have your name, current address, and be due within 30 days of the election. Utility bills may be for electric, gas, water, solid waste, sewer, telephone, or cable TV.

How do I vote?

1. Register to vote.
2. Go to your polling place on Election Day. An Election Judge will check to see if you are on the list of registered voters and, if so, will have you sign the list. Then you'll get a ballot. If you can't get to your polling place on Election Day, you can apply for an absentee ballot.
3. Vote! The Election Judges will show you the process for marking and depositing your ballot in the ballot box. They also will help you read or mark the ballot if you need assistance.

Help is on the way...

If you could use help with voting, ask at the polling place for assistance reading or marking your ballot, or you may ask a friend to help you.

All polling places should be fully accessible with clearly marked accessible doors and parking spaces.

If you can't easily leave your car, you may ask for the ballot to be brought to you in your car.

If you are confined due to illness or disability, you can vote by absentee ballot. Call your county auditor or city clerk for details.

If you have limited vision, you may ask your county auditor for voter registration and absentee ballot instructions in large print, on cassette tape, or in braille. If you are hearing impaired, every county and most cities will have a TDD device for questions.

What is absentee voting?

You can vote by absentee ballot if you are unable to vote in person on Election Day because you are...
away from home
ill or disabled
an Election Judge serving in another precinct
unable to go to the polling place due to a religious holiday or beliefs.

With absentee voting you can vote either in person or by mail during the 30 days before Election Day. Call your county auditor or city clerk for the details.

In person: Apply and vote at your county auditor's office during normal office hours or from 10 am to 3 pm on the Saturday afternoon or until 5 pm on the Monday before the Election. Many city clerks also administer absentee voting.

By mail: Apply early so you can mail back or deliver your absentee ballot before Election Day. Call, write, or fax for an application. You can return your application by fax. If you are in the military or outside the US, vote based on where you last lived in Minnesota. Your parent, spouse, brother, sister, or adult child can apply for you. Apply early!

Victims of domestic violence can register to vote anonymously

Many victims of domestic violence are afraid to register to vote because they do not want their address and other information to be available to the public. However, there are a couple of ways that they can register without their information going on the public voter rolls. Learn more from the Minnesota Council of Non-Profits (pdf).

For more information, see the Secretary of State Election Website, or the League of Women Voters.