4 Things To Know: Election Day Edition
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Do you have some last minute questions before heading to the polls? Here are four things you need to know before heading out the door.
Where is my polling location?
There are locations all over the state. Just go to mnvotes.org. All you have to do there is punch in your zip code and address.
Who is eligible to vote?
As long as you are over 18 years old, a U.S citizen, and have lived in Minnesota for longer than 20 days, you are eligible to vote.
What should I bring to my polling station if I am not registered to vote?
If you have a Minnesota driver's license with your current address, that's all you need. If you don't have a driver's license, other ID cards will work -- a passport, student ID, military ID, or some type of bill such as utility, cable, or bank statements. If that doesn't work, you can always bring a registered voter from your precinct to vouch for you.
What if I can't leave work?
You actually can leave work. According to Minnesota law, Section: 204C.04, it's your right to vote on Election Day, even during work hours. You won't get penalized for the time your away on your paycheck either.
"We are trying to make voting as easy as possible for Minnesota residents," Minneapolis election official Anissa Hollingshead said. "Minnesota has led the nation in voter turnout eight of the last nine elections."
Early voting for Minnesota's registered voters started Friday, Sept. 19. Already, the Secretary of State's office said they have a record number of requests. As of the morning of Monday, Nov. 3, nearly 168,000 absentee ballots had been returned and accepted across the state. That's a record number for a midterm election. According to Hennepin County Elections Manager Ginny Gelms, the total number of returned and accepted ballots in Hennepin County for the 2014 general election is 50,662, and that number will continue to go up.
If you picked up early voting ballot, you can still turn those in on Election Day. You have until 3 p.m. to drop it off at your county elections office. Or, if you sent it in by mail, it has be received by 3 p.m.
Poll locations are open at 7 a.m. and close around 8 p.m.
