With a few exceptions, any U.S. citizen, at least 18 years old, who has lived in Minnesota for 20 days is eligible to vote.
(Exceptions include someone who is under a court-ordered guardianship in which the right to vote has been revoked or a person who is considered legally incompetent to vote, as determined by a court. In addition, a person who has been convicted of a felony may vote only if the felony sentence has expired or has been discharged by a court.)
Polls generally are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day. In some rural townships, polls open at 10 a.m. Under state law, employees who are eligible to vote have the right to be away from work for the time necessary to go to their polling place, vote and return to work, without being penalized or having their pay deducted.
Contact your county elections office, or the Minnesota Secretary of State's office.
You can register at your polling place on Election Day. You must provide proof of your identity and where you live. You may use any of the following:
Or, you may provide a photo ID plus a current bill with your current name and address in the precinct:
This year anyone who wants to vote absentee can do so regardless of whether they can show up at the polls on Election Day. Previously, voters would have to offer an excuse for why they needed to vote absentee. The absentee ballot period opened on Sept. 19 and will close Nov. 3.
You can apply for an absentee ballot at your city elections office or download an application at a number of websites, including those maintained by the secretary of State, many counties and cities.
You may mail in your absentee ballot or cast it in person at your county elections office during regular office hours.
If you cast your ballot by mail, it must arrive by 3 p.m. on Election Day at the office that issued it.
Here are the abbreviations for the names of political parties you'll see on your ballot:
Sources: Secretary of State, Minneapolis Elections Office, House Research