Part III: On Voting
Frequently Asked Questions
General
What if I don’t want to vote in every race?
No problem! You are not required to vote in every race on the ballot. If you choose to skip voting in a particular race, simply leave it blank. Your vote(s) will still be counted in the other races you voted in.
What if I encounter problems while voting?
Become familiar with the Minnesota Voter’s Bill of Rights. If you believe any of your rights are being violated, bring it up to an election judge. Most voting problems can be addressed by speaking to election judges at your polling place. But if you cannot speak to an election judge or they do not resolve the problem to your satisfaction, call the nonpartisan Election Protection Hotline (866-OUR-VOTE).
How do I learn about candidates?
Visit Vote411.org/ballot. After you type in your address, it will show you the candidates that will be on your ballot.
Major newspapers sometimes publish comprehensive questionnaires, but be careful, they often endorse candidates.
Neighborhood newspapers provide information, usually without endorsements.
Candidate forums are an excellent way to hear candidates’ ideas in person. See which forums the League of Women Voters are holding in your area. You can find this information on our Events Calendar.
Political parties provide information on their own candidates.
Friends, neighbors, and people whose opinions you respect may have thoughtful insights.
Some candidates have websites of their own. Find contact and other information on the Secretary of State’s website.
Some issue-oriented organizations publish guides for their supporters.
How do I get to my polling place?
Ask a friend or neighbor for a ride to the polls. Polls are often located near where you live, so someone who lives close to you may be going to the same place to vote. Find your polling place in advance so you can talk to neighbors and friends.
Contact a political party. Many offer resources to help find Election Day rides to the polls.
Constitution Party of Minnesota: 507-644-3183
Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party of Minnesota: 651-293-1200
Green Party of Minnesota: 651-288-2820
Independence Party of Minnesota: 651-487-9700
Libertarian Party of Minnesota: 763-561-8038
Republican Party of Minnesota: 651-222-0022
Often community and non-profit organizations offer rides to the polls as well.
In the metro area, check Metro Transit Bus and Light Rail (LRT) information. Use the trip planner to plan a trip to the polls via public transportation.
Voting in Person
What if I encounter trouble while at my polling place?
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. Refer to our polling place guidance and Voter’s Bill of Rights.
What if I need assistance voting?
If you cannot easily enter the polling place on Election Day, such as due to a disability, you can ask to have a ballot brought out to you. This is known as “curbside voting.” Two election judges from different major political parties will bring a ballot to you. When you are finished voting, they will place your ballot in the ballot tabulator for you.
If you need help with voting, you can ask an election official for assistance in reading or marking the ballot. You may also bring someone to help you. That person cannot be an agent of your employer or your union.
Your Election Day polling place will have a ballot-marking machine that can help you mark your ballot if you cannot, or choose not to, vote using a pen.
If you make a mistake on your ballot, you have the right to receive a replacement ballot from the election officials at the early voting location or polling place by turning in your incorrect ballot.
Voting By Mail
Is voting by mail secure?
Yes! Read our two articles about how your vote remains secure when you vote by mail:
What about voter fraud? How do you ensure each person is only casting one ballot?
Local election officials record which voters have requested an absentee ballot and which voters have returned one. If someone attempts to submit a ballot when they have not requested one, election officials can tell that something is amiss. Similarly, if someone submits a ballot and then tries to vote again, election officials will see that they already cast a ballot, and the person will not be allowed to cast a second ballot.
What if I change my mind about voting from home and want to vote in person instead?
If you opt for voting absentee by mail but later change your mind and want to vote in person, you can do that. Simply go vote in person at your early voting location or on Election Day at your polling place like you normally would. Let the election judge know you are switching (you do NOT need to show your ID) so they cancel your absentee ballot. When you’re done voting, be sure to shred the absentee ballot you received in the mail. It is coded specifically for you and cannot be used by anyone else.
What if I am voting by mail and want to hand deliver it but cannot do it myself?
If you need someone to bring your ballot to your local election office for you, ask someone you know, like a family member or friend, to be your “agent” to deliver your ballot. An “agent” returns a mail ballot by hand that is not their own. When delivered by hand, your ballot must be returned to that local election office (not any other office or polling location) by 3 p.m. on Election Day. Your agent will need to show identification with name and signature when returning a ballot. Under the law, a person may return ballots for no more than three voters. This numerical limit is currently being challenged in court, but is still enforced at this time. Do not attempt community collection efforts of ballots or attempt to return ballots for more than three voters in the same election.
How do I know my mail-in ballot will be counted?
Go to mnvotes.org/track to check the status of your absentee ballot. If it says “received and will be counted,” then you do not need to worry, your ballot will actually be counted.