ST PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota's primary election is coming up on Tuesday, Aug. 13. Here are a few important things to know about the election.
Who's eligible to vote in Minnesota
To vote in Minnesota, you need to meet a few simple criteria. Voters must:
- Be a U.S. Citizen
- Be at least 18 years old on election day
- Have lived in Minnesota for at least 20 days
- Not currently in prison on a felony conviction
- Not under a court order revoking the right to vote
How to register to vote
Minnesota residents can register in advance until 20 days before the election. While that deadline has passed for the primary election, registration is also available on Election Day at the polls, by bringing in an approved document that proves your current address or having another registered voter in your precinct vouch for you.
Where do I vote?
The state has a Poll Finder available online, where you can enter your address to find your polling location.
Most polls open starting at 7 a.m. on Election Day, and close at 8 p.m.; however, if you're already in line by 8 p.m., you will be allowed to vote.
Do I need to bring ID to vote?
Not if you're already registered. Identification or proof of address is only needed if you need to register to vote at the polls. If your voter registration is current, your name will be on the voter list at your polling location and the state of Minnesota does not require you to to show an ID to vote.
What's on the ballot?
Voters won't see presidential candidates on this ballot (the presidential preference primary was in March); this contest will narrow the field of candidates to determine who will appear on the general election ballot this November.
For partisan races like U.S. Senate, Congress and Minnesota Legislature, candidates will be listed in columns for each major party. Voters are only allowed to vote in one column for one political party; voters cannot cross over and vote in another party's races or your votes will not count.
Nonpartisan races, like many city and township races, are on the back of the ballot, where votes can be cast for any of the candidates.
Depending on where you live, you'll likely see a combination of one or all of these races on your general election primary ballot:
- U.S. Senator
- U.S. Representative
- State Senator
- State Representative
- Judicial seats
Voters may also have one or more of these races on their ballot:
- City Officers
- School Board Members
- Township Officers
- Special Elections
You can also check out this spreadsheet from the Secretary of State's Office to learn more about ballot questions and special elections happening in communities throughout Minnesota this year:
How do I fill out a ballot?
In most cases in Minnesota, voters will use a pen with blue or black ink to completely fill in an oval next to a candidate's name.
In its tips for new voters, the Minnesota Secretary of State's office notes that voters don't have to fill out every race. Even if you leave some races blank, the rest of your ballot still counts.
Can I vote during the work day?
Minnesota law requires employers to pay for the time you need to vote if it falls within your scheduled work time.
And employers can't require that you use personal leave or vacation time to vote.
According to the Minnesota Secretary of State's Office:
- Employers can't directly or indirectly refuse, limit or interfere with your right to vote, including what time you choose to vote
- However, they can ask that you tell them when you'll be gone and ask employees to coordinate absences
- Voters have the right to time off to vote in all state, federal, and regularly scheduled local elections
Can I take a photo at the polls?
According to the Minnesota Secretary of State, it is not illegal to take a photo inside of a polling place but voters are not allowed to take photos of a marked ballot.
Where is my county election office?
For voters with questions about their registration status, or those looking to drop off an absentee ballot, the Secretary of State keeps a list of the locations, contact information, and websites of county election offices across Minnesota.
