Part II: Voter Registration
Frequently Asked Questions
For Voters
How do you register if you are homeless?
Register to vote using the location of where you sleep as your address. It’s best to register within two months of an election if you’re using an outdoor location as residence. If you’re registering on Election Day, you will need a registered voter from the precinct to go with. More Info
How do I prove my residence?
Visit this page on the Minnesota Secretary of State’s website for an official list of all acceptable forms of identification and other ways to confirm your residence on Election Day.
Is there a registration deadline?
You can register on Election Day in Minnesota, so if you forget to do so before then, no worries! However, if you want to register online or early, you must do so at least 21 days before election day.
For Members
Can LWVs combine voter registration and issue advocacy at events?
LWVs should not combine voter registration and issue advocacy during any time of the year. Doing otherwise may be partisan or perceived as partisan.
If I'm not doing voter registration but am organizing a general promotional table, what steps should I take?
From June to November, it's important that promotional materials and activities steer clear of any issue advocacy, meaning we should avoid mentioning LWV advocacy groups or League positions. However, during the period after the election through May, it's permissible to include such information, as long as voter registration isn't actively taking place (though mentioning that we do register voters is fine).
Can we collect contact information from voters who register with us or copy information from their voter registration forms?
You should never collect information from voter registration forms. Voters trust us with this personal information for the sole purpose of registering them to vote. That data should never be used in other ways. Voters register with LWV because our organization has established trust over many years, and if we use that personal contact information in ways they haven't affirmatively approved of, that can damage the relationship and trust that has been built up.
Our guidance in the past has always been that you should get an affirmative opt-in. This both ensures voters understand that they'll receive further communications from you, as well as builds trust (e.g., if someone isn't expecting a communication and receives one, they'll feel like it's spam). In some circumstances, opt-in is also required by law for certain texting-based subscriptions, so an affirmative opt-in helps ensure you won't run into problems there. The opt-in can be as simple as a column on the sheet that says, "Check Here to Receive Reminders" or something like that. Do not forget that voters can sign up for LWVMN’s League in Action app, and we'll send text reminders to them for you!
Can LWVs partner with partisan organizations for voter registration?
To ensure nonpartisanship, we'd encourage doing only the following:
Partnering with 501(c)(3) charitable organizations that also adhere to nonpartisanship to do voter registration training;
Open, publicly advertised voter registration training events, where anyone can attend (and if members of other organizations attend, that's OK);
Individuals doing voter registration under the LWV banner as volunteers, with guidance and training from LWV members on how to stay nonpartisan.
See our Guidance for Local Leagues on Coalitions and Partnerships for more information.
How do League members get involved in registering voters at new citizen ceremonies (a.k.a. naturalization ceremonies)?
These are coordinated at the state level. Email info@lwvmn.org to express your interest in volunteering at citizenship ceremonies, and staff will add you to the mailing list that announces all upcoming opportunities. Note: Due to the popularity of these events, availability may be limited. Requests are fulfilled on a first-come, first-serve basis.