Who can vote?
- U.S. citizens
- 18 years and older or will be 18 on Election Day
- Minnesota resident for 20 days
- Complete all parts of felony sentence
- No judge has revoked your right to vote
How do I register to vote?
The deadline for pre-registration has passed. You can register at your polling location. Make sure to bring an ID with your current name and address.
This could be:
- A valid Minnesota driver’s license, permit, or ID
- A Tribal ID with name, address, photo, and signature
- A photo ID + document with current name and address, such as:
- Expired driver’s license AND utility bill
- School ID AND lease or rental agreement
You can also have a registered voter from your precinct vouch for you. Learn more about registering to vote in person on Election Day: bit.ly/Reg2VoteMN
Should I Register Again?
You should register to vote again if:
- You haven’t voted in 4 years. The Elections Office cleans up their records every four years and inactive voters need to re-register.
- You moved.
- You changed your name.
Check to see if your voter registration is up to date: bit.ly/MNCheckRegis
How do I vote?
- On Election Day: This is the most common way to vote. To vote on Election Day (November 8), make sure you are pre-registered or prepare to register in person. Then, find your polling location at bit.ly/FindPollsMN and head over to vote. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day.
- Early By Mail: You can request an absentee ballot online and vote anytime between September 23 through November 7. Your ballot will be mailed to you. Just make sure to follow the instructions very carefully. You can return your ballot by mail or in person. Your ballot must be received by 3 p.m. on Election Day, so it is suggested that you mail yours out by November 1. Request yours here: bit.ly/MNRequestAbsentee
- Early In Person: You can visit your local election office or an early voting location beginning September 23 through November 7 to vote early. If you are pre-registered to vote, just pop by and someone will help you through the process. If you are not yet registered, bring your ID to get registered. Find your Early In Person voting location: bit.ly/MNElectionOffice
Tips & Tricks and Voting Rights
- Voting is not a test! You can check your phone, Google candidates, look up information about them online even while at the ballot box.
- If you have kids, you can bring them to the polling place.
- As long as you’re in line by 8pm, you can still vote.
- If you’re unable to or feel unsafe to vote inside the polling place, you have the right to ask for curbside voting. More info: bit.ly/MNcurbside
- You have the right to bring someone to help you vote at the polls.
- If you mess up your ballot, you can ask for a new one.
- You get up to 4 hours of paid time off to go vote on Election Day. More info: bit.ly/Right2VoteMN
What’s On The Ballot?
- Governor: Elected every 4 years. Executive of the state. They appoint heads of departments and agencies, judges to fill vacancies, propose state budgets, sign or veto legislation. They can also issue pardons and restore felons the right to vote.
- Lt. Governor: Elected every 4 years. Takes over governor responsibilities if the governor is absent. Perform duties assigned by the governor. Runs on the same ticket as the governor.
- U.S. House of Representative: Elected every 2 years. Congressional representative to the federal government. Introduces bills and legislation, offers amendments and serves on committees. Can impeach a public officer.
- Attorney General: Elected every 4 years. Acts as Chief Legal Officer for Minnesota and the “people’s lawyer.” Provides official opinion on how laws should be interpreted. Checks federal government action.
- Secretary of State: Elected every 4 years. Chief election official for the state of Minnesota, oversees and ensures Minnesota elections uphold law. Keeps and certifies official government documents.
- State Auditor: Elected every 4 years. Oversees money spent by local governments and performs audits of financial statements.
- County Sheriff: Executes all processes, precepts, and orders issued or made by lawful authority. Investigates recreational car crashes involving personal injury or death that occur outside the boundaries of a municipality. Maintain the charge and custody of the county jail.
- County Attorney: Provides legal services to the county. Prosecute felony crimes and cases involving juvenile offenders, oversee juvenile diversion programs, and aid victims and witnesses. Advises victims of legal rights. Enforce child support obligations.
- State Senate: Propose, debate, and vote on legislation. Also involved in the state budget process.
- State House: Propose, debate, and vote on legislation. Also involved in the state budget process.
- State Supreme Court: Elected every 6 years. Hear appeals from MN Court of Appeals, MN Workers’ Compensation Court of Appeals, MN Tax Court, Lawyers Professional Responsibility Board, and Board of Judicial Standards.
- School Board Member: Determines education policy and administrative procedures in the school district. Control district funds.
What are uncontested races?
Running an uncontested race means that there is the same number of candidates running for office as the number of seats, guaranteeing that all candidates will be elected.
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Section 1: Basic Information & Voting 101