College Students Your vote is your voice get registered, get informed, go vote! Who can vote? To vote in Minnesota, you must be a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years old on Election Day, and a resident of Minnesota for at least 20 days. If you had a felony conviction, you can vote if you have finished all parts of your sentence, including probation or parole. What is my voting residence? Some students are not sure whether to use their campus address or their parent s address as their voting residence. Vote from whichever you consider to be your home. Voting rules are different in other states. If your voting residence is not in Minnesota, visit your home state s election information website. 2016 dates primary election Tuesday, August 9 vote absentee Vote by mail or in person September 23 through November 7. register to vote Register in advance by October 18 to save time on Election Day. election day Tuesday, November 8 Register to Vote You must be registered to vote at your current address. To register or to update your registration, go to mnvotes.org. It is best to register before Election Day, but it is not required. continued on back...
College Students...continued from front To register on Election Day, you must show proof of your name and current address. See what ID and documents you can bring at mnvotes.org. See Your sample ballot To see the candidates and questions that will be on your ballot, go to mnvotes.org. Locations and hours To find out where you vote, visit mnvotes.org. Most polling places are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. What to bring Going abroad? Have an absentee ballot emailed to you wherever you are in the world. Apply at mnvotes.org. If you are registered to vote at your current address, you do not need to bring identification. If you need to register or to update your registration, you will need to show proof of residence before you vote. To learn more, visit mnvotes.org or call 1-877-600-VOTE. Vote early with an absentee ballot You can vote early at your local elections office beginning Friday, September 23. You can also apply to have an absentee ballot sent to you in the mail. To find your local elections office or to request an absentee ballot, visit mnvotes.org. March 2016
Vote Early By Absentee Ballot In Minnesota, you don t have to wait until Election Day vote early with an absentee ballot! Vote early in person You can cast an absentee ballot at your local elections office starting 46 days before Election Day. Visit mnvotes.org for hours and locations. Vote early by mail You can also apply to have an absentee ballot sent to you in the mail. You must return your ballot by Election Day. 1 Apply for a ballot any time during the year at mnvotes.org. Election officials will send voting materials once ballots are available (see back for dates). 2 Read the instructions that come with your ballot carefully! Your ballot will not count if you do not complete all the forms. 3 You will need a witness when you vote and complete your ballot. The witness can be either a registered Minnesota voter or a notary. Your witness must sign the ballot return envelope and list their address. 4 If you are not registered to vote, you will get a registration application in your materials. To register, show your witness one of the identification options listed in the instructions. Your witness must mark which ID you showed them on your ballot return envelope. continued on back...
Vote Early By Absentee Ballot...continued from front 5 After you finish, mail the ballot and forms back right away. Your ballot will not count if it is received after Election Day. You can also return your ballot in person to the elections office that sent your ballot. Track your ballot All absentee ballots that are received on time and had the forms filled out correctly will be counted. Visit mnvotes.org to track the status of your ballot and confirm that it was received and counted. 2016 Dates Primary Election General Election Ballots sent starting June 24 September 23 Recommended you apply online before July 9 October 8 Deadline for ballot to be received Election Day August 9 Election Day November 8 March 2016
Election Day Registration To register at your polling place on Election Day, bring one proof of residence listed below. 1 ID with current name and address Show a valid Minnesota driver s license, learner s permit or ID; or a receipt for any of these. Or a Tribal ID with name, address, photo and signature. 2 ID and a Document with your address The ID can be expired. The document can be a bill, account or startof-service statement, and must be due or dated within 30 days of the election. You can also show the document on a phone or other electronic device. Approved IDs (choose one) Approved Documents (choose one) Driver s license, state ID or learner s permit issued by any state U.S. Passport U.S. Military or Veteran ID Tribal ID with name, signature and photo Minnesota university, college or technical college ID Minnesota high school ID Phone (landline, cell, VOIP, etc.) TV (cable, satellite, etc.) Internet Solid waste or sewer Electric, gas or water Banking or credit card Rent or mortgage payments Residential lease or rent agreement valid through Election Day Current student fee statement continued on back...
Election Day Registration...continued from front 3 vouching A registered voter from your precinct can go with you to the polling place to sign an oath confirming your address. A registered voter can confirm the addresses for up to eight voters. 4 student id WITH student housing list Colleges and universities send election officials a list of students living on campus. If you are on the list, show your college photo ID to complete your registration. 5 previous registration If you were previously registered in the same precinct but changed names or moved within the same precinct, you only need to tell the poll worker your previous name or address. 6 Notice of late registration If you registered to vote within 20 days of the election, you may get a Notice of Late Registration in the mail. Bring it with you and use it as your proof of residence to register. 7 residential facility Residents If you live in a residential facility, a staff person can go with you to the polling place to confirm your address. There is no limit on the number of residents for whom a staff person can vouch. March 2016
Primary election The 2016 Primary Election is Tuesday, August 9! What is a primary election? A primary election determines which candidates will be on the ballot in the November general election. 2016 Dates For example, five candidates from one political party might run for governor. Only one candidate can be on the ballot in November. The winner of the August primary election will represent their party on the November election ballot. There may be two kinds of offices on your primary ballot: partisan offices and nonpartisan offices. Partisan Offices Partisan offices will list a political party next to a candidate s name on the ballot. All state and federal offices such as U.S. representative or Minnesota senator are partisan offices. Vote Absentee Vote by mail or in person June 24 through August 9. Register to vote Register in advance by July 14 to save time on Election Day. Primary Election Tuesday, August 9 Election Day Tuesday, November 8 Partisan candidates will be listed in two columns on the front side of the primary ballot. continued on back...
Primary Election...continued from front One column will list the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party candidates. The other column will list the Republican Party candidates. You can only vote for candidates from one political party. If you vote for candidates from both political parties, your votes will not count. You decide which one of the two parties you will vote for Minnesota does not have political party registration. Nonpartisan Offices Nonpartisan offices will not list a political party next to a candidate s name on the ballot. For example, county, city, township and school board offices are nonpartisan. Nonpartisan offices will be listed on the back side of the primary ballot. You can vote for any candidate. The candidates who get the most votes will be on the November general election ballot. Time off work to vote You have a right to take time off work to vote, without losing your pay, personal leave, or vacation time. March 2016
How to Vote Your vote is your voice get registered, get informed, go vote! Who can vote? To vote in Minnesota, you must be a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years old on Election Day, and a resident of Minnesota for at least 20 days. If you had a felony conviction, you can vote after you finish all parts of your sentence, including any probation, parole, or other conditions such as restitution. You can vote while under guardianship, unless a judge has revoked your right to vote. Register to Vote You must be registered to vote at your current address. To register or to update your registration, go to mnvotes.org. 2016 dates primary election Tuesday, August 9 vote absentee Vote by mail or in person September 23 through November 7. register to vote Register in advance by October 18 to save time on Election Day. election day Tuesday, November 8 You can also register at your polling place on Election Day. You must show proof of your name and current address. For more details, visit mnvotes.org or call 1-877-600-VOTE. continued on back...
How to Vote...continued from front See Your sample ballot To see the candidates and questions that will be on your ballot, go to mnvotes.org. Voting locations and hours To find out where you vote, visit mnvotes.org. Most polling places are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. What to bring If you are registered to vote at your current address, you do not need to bring identification. If you need to register or to update your registration, you will need to show proof of residence before you vote. To learn more, visit mnvotes.org or call 1-877-600-VOTE. Vote early with an absentee ballot You can vote early at your local elections office beginning Friday, September 23. You can also apply to have an absentee ballot sent to you in the mail. To find your local elections office or to request an absentee ballot, visit mnvotes.org. Time off work to vote You have a right to take time off work to vote, without losing your pay, personal leave, or vacation time. March 2016
Time Off Work to Vote You have a right to take time off work to vote without losing your pay, personal leave, or vacation time. Your employer must pay you for the time you need to vote, if it falls within your scheduled work time. Your employer cannot require you to use personal leave or vacation time. Take only as much time as you need to vote and go to work. Your employer cannot directly or indirectly refuse, limit, or interfere with this right, including what time you choose to vote. Your employer can ask that you tell them when you will be gone, and ask that employees coordinate their absences to minimize workplace disruptions. You have the right to time off work to vote in all state and federal elections, and in all regularly scheduled local elections. 2016 dates primary election Tuesday, August 9 vote absentee Vote by mail or in person September 23 through November 7. register to vote Register in advance by October 18 to save time on Election Day. election day Tuesday, November 8 Complaints An employer that violates this law is guilty of a misdemeanor. Any complaints from employees should be filed with the county attorney. continued on back...
Time Off Work to Vote...continued from front Vote early with an absentee ballot You can vote early if you do not want to or cannot vote on Election Day. Beginning Friday, September 23, you can vote early with an absentee ballot at your local elections office. You can also request to have an absentee ballot sent to you in the mail. To find your local elections office or to request an absentee ballot, visit mnvotes.org. Letter for your employer Visit mnvotes.org to find a letter you can give to your employer explaining your right to time off for voting. March 2016
Students Abroad Don t miss out on voting because you re abroad! Have an absentee ballot emailed to you wherever you are in the world. Step 1: Apply for a Ballot Apply for a ballot any time during the year at mnvotes.org. It is best to apply before you leave the country. You do not need to register to vote separately your ballot application serves as a voter registration application. What is my voting residence? Some students are not sure whether to use their campus address or their parent s address as their voting residence. Vote from whichever you consider to be your home. Voting rules are different in other states. If your voting residence is not in Minnesota, go to fvap.gov for voting instructions. Step 2: Receive and Print Voting Materials Once your application is approved, you will be emailed your voting materials. Materials will be available starting September 23. Step 3: Vote and complete Forms Read your ballot instructions carefully! Your ballot will not count if you do not complete and return all forms. continued on back...
Students Abroad...continued from front Step 4: Mail ballot back by deadline Your ballot will not count if it is received after Election Day, November 8. Return your ballot using mail, a package delivery service (such as FedEx or UPS) or the diplomatic pouch at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. You cannot return your ballot by email or fax. Step 5: Confirm your ballot was received All absentee ballots that are received on time and had the forms filled out correctly will be counted. Visit mnvotes.org to track the status of your ballot and confirm that it was received and counted. 2016 Dates General Election Recommended you apply online before September 1 Ballots sent starting September 23 Recommended you mail ballot back before Deadline for ballot to be received October 8 Election Day November 8 March 2016
New Voters New to voting? Don t worry these steps explain the process. Go to your polling place You must vote at your assigned polling place. It is usually located near where you live. Find your polling place at mnvotes.org. Most polling places are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sign in or register If you are registered to vote, your name will be on a list of voters. You just need to write your signature next to your name. If you are registered, you do not need to show ID when you sign in. If you did not register before Election Day, you must show proof of your current address. For example, you can show a current Minnesota driver s license or state ID. Or you can show a photo ID that has your old address, along with a bill that shows your current address. 2016 dates primary election Tuesday, August 9 vote absentee Vote by mail or in person September 23 through November 7. register to vote Register in advance by October 18 to save time on Election Day. election day Tuesday, November 8 For a list of all the types of ID and documents you can bring, visit mnvotes.org. continued on back...
New Voters...continued from front Vote You will vote in a private area, and your vote is secret. Vote with a pen or pencil, and completely fill in the oval next to your choice. The ballot instructions will say how many candidates you can choose for each office. Usually it will say to choose one. Some local offices may have more than one seat to fill. Your ballot will count even if you do not vote on every race or ballot question. Take your ballot to the ballot box After you have voted, put your ballot in the ballot-counter machine. Be sure to get your I Voted sticker before you leave! Vote early with an absentee ballot You can vote early at your local elections office beginning Friday, September 23. You can also apply to have an absentee ballot sent to you in the mail. To find your local elections office or to request an absentee ballot, visit mnvotes.org. Time off work to vote You have a right to time off work to vote, without losing your pay, personal leave, or vacation time. March 2016
Know your rights As a voter in Minnesota, you have many rights get to know them! Have Time off work to vote You have a right to take time off work to vote without losing your pay, personal leave, or vacation time. VOte if in line by 8 p.m. You have the right to vote if you are in line to vote anytime before 8 p.m. Register on Election day You have the right to register to vote on Election Day if you can show the required proof of residence. Sign in orally You have the right to orally confirm who you are and to ask another person to sign for you if you cannot sign your name. 2016 dates primary election Tuesday, August 9 vote absentee Vote by mail or in person September 23 through November 7. register to vote Register in advance by October 18 to save time on Election Day. election day Tuesday, November 8 Ask for help You have the right to ask anyone for help, except for an agent of your employer or union, or a candidate. Bring children to the polls You have the right to bring your children with you to vote. continued on back...
Know your rights...continued from front Vote after serving felony conviction You can vote after you finish all parts of your sentence, including any probation, parole, or other conditions such as restitution. Vote if under guardianship You have the right to vote if you are under a guardianship, unless a judge has revoked your right to vote. Vote without being influenced You have the right to vote without anyone in the polling place trying to influence your vote. Get a replacement ballot You have the right to a replacement ballot if you make a mistake on your ballot before you cast it. File a complaint You have the right to file a written complaint at your polling place if you are unhappy with the way an election is being run. Bring a sample ballot You have the right to take a sample ballot into the voting booth. Bring the voter s Bill of Rights You have the right to take a copy of the Voter s Bill of Rights into the voting booth. March 2016
Voting with a Criminal Record Your criminal record does NOT affect your right to vote in Minnesota unless you are currently serving a felony conviction sentence, including probation or parole. Voting after a felony conviction You can vote after you finish all parts of your sentence, including any probation, parole, or other conditions such as restitution. As soon as you finish (once you are off-paper ), you can vote. You will need to register to vote. It is best to register before Election Day, but it is not required. Visit mnvotes.org to register, or call 1-877-600-VOTE for help. Not sure about your legal status? 2016 dates primary election Tuesday, August 9 vote absentee Vote by mail or in person September 23 through November 7. register to vote Register in advance by October 18 to save time on Election Day. election day Tuesday, November 8 Sometimes it is not clear whether a felony charge results in a felony conviction. If you are unsure, you may want to seek legal advice from an attorney. continued on back...
Voting with a Criminal Record...continued from front Can I vote if... I was charged with or convicted of a misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor? I m in jail, but am not currently serving a felony sentence? I ve been charged with a felony, but I haven t been convicted? YES YES YES I ve been given a stay of adjudication? YES I finished all parts of my felony sentence in another state? YES I finished all parts of my felony sentence? YES I am currently serving a felony sentence? NO My stay of adjudication was revoked and I m currently serving a felony sentence? NO March 2016
Military and Overseas Voters Serving in the military or living abroad? Have an absentee ballot sent to you wherever you are in the world! Who can apply Uniformed or military members serving outside their home precinct and citizens living abroad temporarily or indefinitely can apply. Spouses and dependents of uniformed or military members are also eligible. Step 1: Apply for a Ballot Apply any time during the year at mnvotes.org. You will choose to have voting materials sent by email, mail or fax. Your ballot application also serves as a voter registration application. Your spouse, parent, sibling or child age 18 and older can apply for you. Re-apply annually and after a change of mailing address. Step 2: Receive Voting Materials Election officials will send voting materials once ballots are available. If you receive materials by email, you must print them. Step 3: Vote and complete Forms Read your ballot instructions carefully! Your ballot will not count if you do not complete and return all forms. Step 4: Mail ballot back by deadline Your ballot will not count if it is received after Election Day. continued on back...
Military and Overseas Voters...continued from front Return your materials early enough to account for delivery time via mail, a package delivery service (such as FedEx or UPS) or the diplomatic pouch at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. You cannot return your ballot by email or fax. Step 5: Confirm your ballot was received All absentee ballots that are received on time and had the forms filled out correctly will be counted. Visit mnvotes.org to track the status of your ballot and confirm that it was received and counted. Emergency Write-in ballot If you have not received voting materials in time, download and print an emergency ballot (Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot, or FWAB). The ballot will have blanks for you to write your choices. Your write-in ballot must be returned by Election Day. 2016 Dates Primary Election General Election Recommended you apply online before June 1 September 1 Ballots sent starting June 24 September 23 Recommended you mail ballot back before July 9 October 8 Deadline for ballot to be received Election Day August 9 Election Day November 8 March 2016