Vote!

Dolores Huerta, United Farm Workers cofounder: “Every moment is an organizing opportunity, every person a potential activist, every minute a chance to change the world.”

When I was ten years old, I wanted to go door-knocking for JFK. My parents vetoed the idea. 

When I was a few years older, I was allowed to go door-knocking with Dad, for good DFL candidates like Alec Olson, Hubert Humphrey, Walter Mondale, and Orville Freeman.

Tonight I went out again. Not for any candidate. Just to ask neighbors to VOTE. 

I printed out ten flyers with information about voting rules and voting places. I talked to ten neighbors. I also left a card with my contact information and a promise that if they have any questions, I will try to find the answers. 

That felt good. I’m going to do it again. I came home and printed out ten more flyers for another evening. 

If you need to know about voting in Minnesota, here’s what I have, with specific information on Ramsey County.  

How to Vote 

Election Day is November 3. Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. If you are in line when the polls close, you can still vote. 

Early Voting in person begins September 18 in Minnesota.  In Ramsey County, you can vote at election offices at 90 W. Plato Blvd West in St. Paul, Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Phone: 651-266-2171

Other Early Voting in person locations and times are listed on the Ramsey County election website. 

Absentee or Mail-In Ballots are mailed to you after you request them at mnvotes.gov/absentee or in person at your county election office. 

Absentee Ballots can be returned by mail, and MUST ARRIVE BY ELECTION DAY to be counted. Absentee Ballots can also be returned in person to any in-person election location during Early Voting hours or to your county election office on Election Day BEFORE 5 PM. 

If you vote by absentee or mail-in ballot, you can track when your ballot is received at mnvotes.gov/track. You put in your name, date of birth, and identification number, and this site will tell you whether your ballot has been received. This is only for mail-in ballots. If you vote in person, your ballot is counted when you vote. 

You can have someone else drop your ballot off during Early Voting or at Ramsey County Election Office on election day—but each person can drop off only three ballots.  

Where to go for accurate information:

For more information, visit mnvotes.gov or call 1-877-600-VOTE. 

Who Can Vote?

A voter must be a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years old on Election Day, a resident of Minnesota for 20 days, not currently incarcerated for a felony conviction, and not under a court order that revokes their right to vote. 

On Election Day

Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. If you are in line when the polls close, you can still vote.

Only authorized people are allowed inside a polling place during voting hours, such as voters and their minor children, poll workers and someone assisting a voter. People may not gather or linger in the polling place or within 100 feet of the building.

If you are registered to vote at your current address, you do not need to bring identification. If you need to register or to update your registration, you will need to show proof of residence before you vote. For more information, visit mnvotes.gov or call 1-877-600-VOTE.

Yes, You Can Register on Election Day

If you are not yet registered by election day, you can register at the polling place. You will need valid identification or a registered voter in the precinct who can vouch for you. 

See this Minnesota fact sheet for details.  

What About Changes to Voting?

While the Trump administration wants to change laws about voting, the president has no authority to do so. 

Under the U.S. Constitution, voting rules are set by states, not by the federal government. A limited exception allows Congress to make some rules in specific circumstances, but the president has no power over voting. 

If you are concerned about whether your mail-in ballot will be delivered on time by the U.S. Postal Service, you can:

·      vote early in person 

·      drop off your mail-in ballot at an early voting location 

·      vote on Election Day at your polling place.