Q. When are the polling places open for voting in Hennepin County?
A. For state elections, most polling places open at 7a.m. All polling places close at 8 p.m.
Q. Can I get time off from work to vote?
A. Yes, Minnesota law allows you to take up to two hours off from work without loss of salary or wages to vote during the morning of state elections.
Q. Who is eligible to vote?
A. You may vote if you are:
- at least 18 years of age
- a US citizen
- a Minnesota resident for at least 20 days before the election
- an ex-offender with civil rights restored
- not under guardianship where you cannot vote
- not legally incompetent
Q. Where do I vote?
A. Most people vote in the neighborhood where they live. You can also look up your polling place location on this Web site by clicking here, by calling 612-348-5151 or your city offices.
Q. How do I register to vote?
A. Fill out a voter registration card and return it in person or by mail to the County Auditor, the secretary of state, or any of the County Service centers listed below.
Brookdale
6125 Shingle Crrke Pkwy.
Brooklyn Center, MN 55430
Eden Prairie
479 Prairie Center Drive
Eden Prairie, MN 55344
Govt. Center
300 South Sixth Street
Minneapolis, MN 55487-0026
Maple Grove
9325 Upland Lane North
Maple Grove, MN 55369
Midtown Exchange
2929 Chicago Ave. S.
Minnepolis, MN 55430
Ridgedale
12601 Ridgedale Drive
Minnetonka, MN 55305
Southdale
7009 York Avenue South
Edina, MN 55435
Voter registration forms are available at county courthouses, city halls and other public buildings throughout the state, in many telephone books, in your state tax booklet (in even-numbered years) or by downloading a copy from the links below.
You may also register to vote when you apply for or renew your Minnesota driver's license or state identification card.
Q. Can I register to vote on election day?
A. You can register at your polling place on election day. You will need one of the following to verify your residence.
- A current, valid Minnesota Driver's License,learner's permit or identification card (or receipt for a new one) containing your address in the precinct
- a "Notice of Late Registration" card mailed to you by your county auditor (if you turned in a registration card late)
- someone who is registered in the precinct where you live to vouch for your residence.
- valid registration at another address in the same precinct
- a Minnesota driver's license, US passport, US military identification card or student identification card that includes your name and photo AND an original bill for water, sewer, gas, electric, phone, solid waste or cable television services that includes your name and current address in the precinct and has a due date within 30 days of election day.
If you are a student, you can also use one of the following documents.
- Student photo ID, registration or fee statement with your current address
- Student photo ID if you are on a student housing list on file at the polling place
Q. Can I get assistance in the polling place?
A. Yes, if you need help with voting, you can ask the election judges at the polling place for assistance in reading or marking your ballot. You may also bring someone with 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 can ask for the ballot to be brought out to you in your car.
If you are unable to go to the polling place due to an illness or disability, you can vote by absentee ballot.
If you have limited vision, you may ask your county auditor for voter registration and absentee ballot instructions in large print or on cassette tape.
And if you are hearing impaired, every county and most cities will have a TDD device for questions.
Q. What's absentee voting?
A. 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 before election day or by mail. Call your county auditor or city clerk for the details.
In person... Apply and/or vote during normal office hours or from 10 am to 3 pm the Saturday afternoon or until 5 pm the Monday evening before the election.
By mail... If you are in the military or outside the US, vote based on where you last lived in Minnesota. You or your parent, spouse, brother, sister, or adult child can apply for you. Make sure to apply early!
If you are in the military or outside the US, vote based on where you last lived in Minnesota. You or your parent, spouse, brother, sister, or adult child can apply for you. Be sure to apply early!
Q. Can I vote by absentee ballot?
A. 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.
Submit a written application to your county auditor or city clerk. You can cast your absentee ballot either in person at a location designated by your county auditor or by mail.
Q. How do I register to vote if I don’t have a permanent address (homeless)?
A. Homeless persons in Minnesota have the right to register and vote. To register you will need a valid MN I.D. card / Driver’s License or the last four digits of your Social Security number. You may register either in person or by mail. If you register in person you can:
· Register using the address of the residence or shelter you are staying at.
· On Election Day, bring a person who lives in the same precinct as you to vouch for your residence.
· If you do not have an address, you may draw a map indicating where your home base is. Where ever it is.
Q. What law governs whether my felony conviction limits my right to vote?
A. Your right to vote after a felony conviction is determined by the laws of the state in which you live. Not the state in which you were convicted. In Minnesota your right to vote is automatically restored upon discharge from you sentence. Discharge occurs either by the sentencing court, following stay of sentence or stay of execution of sentence, or upon final expiration of your sentence including parole and probation. Minnesota applies the same rules whether you were convicted of a state or federal crime. You will need to register in order to vote.
|
