Minnesota Voter’s Bill of Rights

As defined by Minnesota Statute 204C.08, subdivision 1d, for all persons residing in Minnesota who meet federal voting eligibility requirements:

  1. You have the right to be absent from work for the purpose of voting in a state, federal, or regularly scheduled election without reduction to your pay, personal leave, or vacation time on election day for the time necessary to appear at your polling place, cast a ballot, and return to work. 

  2. If you are in line at your polling place any time before 8:00 p.m., you have the right to vote. 

  3. If you can provide the required proof of residence, you have the right to register to vote and to vote on election day. 

  4. If you are unable to sign your name, you have the right to orally confirm your identity with an election judge and to direct another person to sign your name for you. 

  5. You have the right to request special assistance when voting. 

  6. If you need assistance, you may be accompanied into the voting booth by a person of your choice, except by an agent of your employer or union or a candidate. 

  7. You have the right to bring your minor children into the polling place and into the voting booth with you. 

  8. You have the right to vote if you are not currently incarcerated for conviction of a felony offense.

  9. If you are under a guardianship, you have the right to vote, unless the court order revokes your right to vote. 

  10. You have the right to vote without anyone in the polling place trying to influence your vote. 

  11. If you make a mistake or spoil your ballot before it is submitted, you have the right to receive a replacement ballot and vote. 

  12. You have the right to file a written complaint at your polling place if you are dissatisfied with the way an election is being run. 

  13. You have the right to take a sample ballot into the voting booth with you. 

  14. You have the right to take a copy of this Voter's Bill of Rights into the voting booth with you. 


Having Trouble at the Polling Place?

On Election Day, voters sometimes encounter problems during the voting process. They might be sent incorrect voting information. They might encounter an individual unlawfully campaigning in or near a polling place. They might encounter someone engaging in intimidating behavior. Or they might just need assistance. If you encounter any of these issues, try the following steps: 

  1. Bring your issue to the attention of an election judge at your polling place. This typically resolves most issues. 

  2. If communicating your issue to an election judge does not resolve the issue, ask to speak to the head election judge. Every precinct has a head election judge to whom concerns can be escalated. If necessary, ask the head election judge to escalate the issue further to the city or county election official. 

  3. If the head election judge and/or local election official is unable or unwilling to resolve your concern, file a formal complaint at your polling place with the head election judge. Federal law mandates a specific form be made available. Then try contacting one of the following nonpartisan resources: 

    • Minnesota Secretary of State Elections Call Center:

      • Metro: 651-215-1440

      • Greater MN: 877-600-VOTE

      • ASL: 612-293-4288 (videophone hotline)

    • Election Protection Hotline: 

      • English: 1-866-OUR-VOTE

      • Spanish: 1-888-VE-Y-VOTA

      • Arabic: 1-844-YALLA-US

      • Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Urdu, Hindi, and Bengali: 1-888-274-8683

    • Minnesota Disability Law Center Voter Hotline (tailored for voters who have disabilities):

      • 1-800-292-4150

      • 1-612-334-5970 (Metro area)

      • TDD: 612-332-4668 

Page last revised: November 6, 2023