This is the fourth article in the League of Women Voters Minneapolis 2024 Democracy Series. All articles will be available at lwvmpls.org/for-voters
Election Day is November 5, 2024. This is a general election to select the President of the United States. Minnesota voters will also choose one U.S. Senator, eight U.S. Representatives, Minnesota State House of Representatives, judges, candidates in local races, and decide on possible ballot questions. Make your voice heard by voting in this election.
This “Nuts and Bolts” article provides practical information to assist you in voting. Let’s make a plan to vote!
Register at your current address. In Minnesota, you can register to vote online, by mail or in person at your polling site. Pre-registering online and by mail must be done by October 15, 2024. You also can register when you vote at your polling place on Election Day (November 5) or at early voting locations before Election Day (September 20 to November 4). You can also register when voting early by mail.
If you are registered to vote at your current address, you do not need to show an ID to vote. If not, you can register on Election Day at your polling place site but you will need an ID or other proof of residence to vote. Not sure if you’re currently registered or want to register online? Visit the Minnesota Secretary of State website for registration info, sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting/register-to-vote).
When and how to vote
To vote early in person go to Minneapolis Election & Voter Services, 980 Hennepin Ave. E. or Hennepin County Government Center, 300 S 6th Street, Minneapolis.
Early in-person voting begins September 20 and is open through 5 p.m. on Monday, November 4. Additional early voting centers will be opened, including two early voting satellite centers opened two weeks before the election. The Minneapolis election office website will have that info as we get closer to the election (vote.minneapolismn.gov).
To vote early by mail request your absentee ballot at mnvotes.sos.mn.gov/abrequest/index ) no later than October 29, fill it out and return it right away. There are alternative ways to return your ballot. You do not need to be registered to apply for an absentee ballot.
If you mail your ballot, you will need a witness when you vote and complete your ballot. They will sign the signature envelope and list their address. The witness can be either a registered Minnesota voter or a notary. If it is a notary, they should write their name and title, sign the signature envelope and affix their notary stamp.
The mailing envelope does not need a stamp. You are encouraged to mail your ballot as soon as you fill it out, but the City of Minneapolis recommends returning it at least 7 days before the election. To be counted, absentee ballots must be received in the mail by 8 p.m. on Election Day, November 5.
If you return your ballot in person, you can deliver your ballot Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., from September 20 to November 4, to Minneapolis Elections & Voter Services, 980 E Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, or to Hennepin County Government Center, 300 S 6th St. On Election Day, ballots can be delivered to either of these sites no later than 8 p.m. You can deliver your own absentee ballot as well as well as the ballots for up to three other voters. If you drop off a ballot for someone else, you must show identification with your name and signature. Note that absentee ballots cannot be dropped off at a polling place.
To vote on Election Day. Verify the location of your polling place at the MN Secretary of State website sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting/election-day-voting/ and go to that location to cast your ballot on November 5. Note that with redistricting your polling site may have changed. Polling sites are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. For any additional questions, call 311.
Finding Assistance. There are many ways to acquire assistance when you vote. You can bring someone to help you vote, ask an election judge for support, use a machine to mark your ballot or even vote from your car. Info (sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting/election-day-voting/get-help-voting/)
Voting instructions are available in all polling places on Election Day in the three most commonly spoken non-English languages in the state. Currently, those languages are: Spanish, Hmong and Somali. Instructions on “How to Vote” in these three languages will be posted in the polling place and available for use by voters when casting a ballot as well as a translated notice posted indicating the availability of these instructions. Info at sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting/election-day-voting/voter-language-access/.
Give some thought to whether you need to make special arrangements. Perhaps you need a ride to the polls; or you need childcare (though children can come to the polls with you); or you need to find time during or around your work schedule to vote. Minnesota law requires employees to allow workers time off to vote without losing pay or taking personal or unpaid time off. This includes voting on election day or voting early.
Choose your candidate and prepare for your vote. The League of Women Voters provides information related to the candidates running for local, state and national offices. It includes the candidates’ views on current issues that may affect your choice. The best place to research candidates’ views is at Vote411 (vote411.org/ballot). This site is sponsored by the League of Women Voters Education Fund to provide voter information tailored by each state. The Minneapolis League also sponsors public forums for local candidates and ballot issues. This is an opportunity for you to hear directly from the candidates. You can find when and where the forums are being held at the LWVmpls website lwvmpls.org/for-voters/. If you can’t attend the forum, no problem. The LWV Minneapolis posts unedited videos of the forums on its website.
After making your decision, consider looking up a sample ballot to review more info on the candidates. Sample ballots are available at sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting/whats-on-my-ballot/.
Make 2024 the year you vote with confidence! Encourage friends and family to do the same! Support each other this election season and help someone you care about get involved as a voter. Call three friends and make a plan today!