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It's Election Day!
Are you ready?
Be sure you know the location of your polling place
and how to get there.
Remember, you are only allowed to vote at the polling place
that your address has been assigned to.
If you have pre-registered, you should have received a postcard
telling you where your polling place is.
If you're not sure where to go,
you can use the Minnesota Votes web site to find your polling place.
If you haven't pre-registered, you can register to vote
at your assigned polling place on Election Day.
The polling places open early on Election Day morning,
usually at 7:00 am.
They stay open until 8:00 pm that night so that people can vote
when it's convenient for them.
Your employer is required to let you take time off to vote,
and you can't be penalized for voting.
If you're already in line when the polling place closes,
you can still vote – even if the line extends all the way around the building!
However, if you arrive in line after 8:00 p.m.,
you won't be allowed to vote.
Minnesota law requires all polling places to be fully accessible.
If a polling place is on an upper level of the building,
there must be an elevator or accessible entrance.
Poll volunteers are on hand to answer questions and assist voters.
Each polling place also must provide a private voting area
that is accessible to people who use wheelchairs
or who need to sit down while marking their ballots.
The first thing you will do when you get
to your polling place on Election Day
is to check in with an Election Judge.
He or she will check the list of people
who are registered to vote in that polling place.
If you have pre-registered, all that you will need to do
is sign your name next to your printed name
on the list of registered voters.
If you aren't able to sign your name,
an Election Judge can assist you.
If you have moved to another address
or have changed your name since the last time that you voted,
you will need to update your registration information
by completing a new voter registration application.
Be sure to bring proof of your residence.
If you go to the wrong polling place,
the Election Judge can help direct you to the right place.
A lot of rules have been put in place to make sure
that Minnesota's elections are honest and fair.
It's up to the Election Judges to know and enforce these rules.
The Minnesota Voter's Bill of Rights protects your right
to an open, fair election process.
A copy of this Bill of Rights is available at all polling places.
Take a few minutes to read through it.
You can talk to the head election judge
if you think there's a problem at the polling place.
You also can file a written complaint.
If you have any questions or concerns,
an Election Judge will be able to help you.
Every eligible voter has the right to vote on Election Day.
However, a person's eligibility to vote can be challenged.
This is an important part of keeping our elections honest and fair.
A person's right to vote can only be legally challenged
by someone who has specific knowledge that another person
is not eligible to vote
because he or she doesn't meet the eligibility requirements.
A person's right to vote can't be challenged because of their
race, language, the way they dress, the way they look
or because of a disability.
If someone legally challenges your right to vote
and you are eligible, tell an Election Judge.
He or she will put you under oath and ask you
if you are eligible to vote.
If you truthfully answer yes, you MUST be allowed to vote.
It's your right under the Constitution of the United States.
If you haven't registered or need to update your registration,
you can still vote on Election Day.
An Election Judge will help you complete
a Minnesota Voter Registration form at the poll.
You'll also need to provide proof of residence.
The most common form used is a Minnesota Driver's License
or state ID card with your current name and address.
If your photo ID doesn't include your
current name and an address in the precinct,
you can show the election judge both a photo ID and a utility bill
that shows your current address.
Election judges can only accept a utility bill
that contains your current name and address in the precinct.
It also must be due within 30 days of Election Day.
The bill can be for
telephone services, including a landline or cell phone,
cable or satellite television services,
Internet services,
electric, gas, water or sewer services or
solid waste disposal.
A rent statement that is dated within 30 days
and shows itemized utility expenses is also acceptable.
If you're a student living in campus housing
and the college or university you attend
has sent a list of student housing to the poll,
you can register by showing a valid student ID card
that includes your photo and a signature.
If you're a student who doesn't live in campus housing,
your student ID and a current student fee statement
with your current address will work.
If you don't have any of these forms of identification,
you can ask another registered voter who knows you
and lives in the same precinct to vouch for you.
This person will be required to confirm
that you live in the precinct by signing an oath.
If you live in a residential facility,
an employee of the facility can swear that you live there.
Many people who live in assisted living facilities,
nursing homes and group homes also sometimes find
that it's easier to vote by absentee ballot.
An administrator of the facility can give you
more information about this process.
Once you're registered, the Election Judge will give you
an official paper ballot and a cardboard folder
to hold your completed ballot.
He or she also will tell you where to wait
until it is your turn to vote.
Election Judges are there to help you
mark your ballot if you need it.
All you have to do is ask!
You can ask to have the ballot read to you
if you're unable to read English.
If you are deaf and communicate in American Sign Language,
you can arrange to have someone read the ballot to you.
This person is allowed to accompany you into the voting booth.
You also can have someone you know help you mark your ballot.
This can be a family member, friend, or service provider.
However, your employer, someone from your union,
or a candidate cannot assist you.
Just let the Election Judge know
that you have asked the person for help.
This person is allowed to accompany you into the voting booth.
They cannot influence your decision,
but they can mark your choices on the ballot for you.
When it's your turn to vote,
the Election Judge will direct you to an open voting booth
that meets your needs.
You can bring your sample ballot along with you
if you want to remember your choices.
However, a sample ballot is not the same as an official ballot.
You will need to fill in your choices on the official ballot
that the Election Judge gave you.
If you have a small child or children with you,
they can accompany you into the voting booth.
This is a good chance to demonstrate to them
that voting is important and show them how the process works.
The voting booth has partitions for privacy and a pen
that you can use to complete your ballot.
Always read the instructions carefully
and fill in your ballot carefully so that your choices are clear.
Be sure to completely fill in the circle
next to the name of the candidate you're voting for.
If the machine can't read your choices, they may not be counted.
If you make a mistake, ask the Election Judge for a new ballot.
Remember to mark your ballot clearly,
with no scribbles or notes
and vote for only candidate per race
unless the ballot asks you to choose more than one.
Every polling place has an AutoMark machine
that can mark your ballot for you electronically.
It is especially helpful for voters who are blind
or have a physical disability that makes it difficult
to mark their choices on a ballot.
However, any voter can use the AutoMark machine to mark a ballot.
An Election Judge will show you how to use it
and answer any questions you have.
The AutoMark machines allow every voter the chance
to vote in private, without assistance.
The AutoMark allows voters to enlarge the size of the text on the ballot
so that it is easier to see,
display text in a high contrast format and
listen to an audio version of the ballot using headphones.
You also can use a touch screen or Braille keypad to enter your choices.
Once you have entered your votes,
the AutoMark device will print out a completed ballot
that includes all of your choices.
However, the AutoMark does not count votes.
If you use the AutoMark device,
you still need to insert your completed ballot
into the ballot counting machine.
Once your ballot has been cast and counted, your vote is final.
You can't change it after that, so be sure to take a minute
to review your choices one last time
before you put your ballot into the counting machine.
If you find a mistake or change your mind,
you can give your ballot to the Election Judge
and ask for a new one.
When you're satisfied, tuck your completed ballot
inside the cardboard folder and slide the ballot
into the counting machine.
If your polling place doesn't have a ballot counting machine,
give it to an Election Judge.
The Election Judge can help you if you need it.
The machine automatically grabs the ballot for counting.
The equipment will detect ballot marking errors
so you can fix them before you leave the poll.
An Election Judge will be standing by in case you need help
and to give you an "I VOTED!" sticker.
Wear it proudly and encourage others to vote.
So, that's it! You've voted!
Your choices, along with the votes of thousands of other Minnesotans,
will elect the next leaders for your local area,
the state – even the United States!
For more information, go to www.mnvotes.org.