by Joseph Back A primary election on August 11 and general election November 3, coupled to the unusual circumstances now existing, mean that making sure your vote gets counted is more important than …
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by Joseph Back
A primary election on August 11 and general election November 3, coupled to the unusual circumstances now existing, mean that making sure your vote gets counted is more important than ever. To that end, the website of the Minnesota Secretary of State at https://www.sos.state.mn.us/ has details for absentee ballot and registration, with requirements and other basics listed below.
In order to vote in Minnesota, a person must be a U.S. citizen who is at least 18 years old on Election Day. In addition, they must have been a resident of the State of Minnesota for 20days, and have finished all parts of any felony sentence.
Those who are under a guardianship may vote unless a judge has specifically revoked that right, but those who have been ruled legally incompetent cannot.
Those otherwise eligible and wishing to register have three options: online, by paper, or on election day. Online registrants will need the number of your Minnesota driver’s license or Minnesota identification card, although the last four digits of one’s Social Security number will suffice for one of these. If one has neither of these, a paper application should be used, and those in the Safe at Home Confidentiality program should not register online but instead call 1-866-723-3035.
For those wishing to register using a paper application, the deadline to do so closes 20 days before the election and reopens on Election Day, although prospective voters are encouraged to register early in order to save time at the polling place. Paper applications can be downloaded from the Minnesota Secretary of State website in English (including large print) along with several other languages, including but not limited to Spanish, Hmong, Somali, Vietnamese, and Amharic (Ethiopian). Those without computer or internet access can make an appointment at their local library to access and print off these forms. Many area libraries are currently open for limited use.
For those wishing to register on Election Day, the process includes a few details as well.
Located on the website of the
