Updates on early Voting

With one week until the primary, there are key steps to take to vote and make sure your vote counts. Here is the advice from the City of Minneapolis. (The following post is quoted from an update written by Grace Wachlarowicz, CERA, Minneapolis Director of Elections and Voter Services.)

Minneapolis Election Update 4
Monday, August 3rd, 2020
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UPDATES ON EARLY VOTING

1. Early Voting Turnout: As of Saturday, August 1st at 4:00 p.m. a total of 36,909 votes have been cast by Minneapolis voters during the early voting period thus far. Minneapolis has received 3,184 votes in-person and 33,594 mail ballots. Voting by mail is still the safest way to cast a ballot. Of the 94,637 ballots mailed out, roughly 35% have been returned. Help us in encouraging voters to return their completed ballots now! See mail ballot return options below.
2. Direct Balloting: When direct balloting begins this Tuesday, August 4th voters who are casting their ballot at the Early Vote Center will be able to put their ballot directly into the tabulator, just like on Election Day. There is no series of secrecy envelopes to complete, no delay in tabulation, no potential for the ballot not being accepted. Instead, it’s the same experience as for voters on Election Day – including the same levels of security – but offered as a convenience in advance of the “big day.”
3. Mail Ballot Return Options: With Election Day quickly approaching, we are urging voters who still have Vote-By-Mail (VBM) ballots to be mindful of the upcoming deadlines for returning their ballots in order for their vote to be counted. The attached flyer provides a summary of all the options detailed below and may be shared with voters. 
   

Return by mail: Because it can take time to get VBM processed via postal service, we are strongly encouraging all voters opting to mail their completed ballot to do so no later than Tuesday, August 4th. Once a ballot has been mailed back, it’s status can be tracked to provide assurance that the vote has been cast. Voters can do this with the Secretary of State’s Ballot Status Tool. As the example below shows, the ballot’s status will change to “accepted” when we receive and process it. Also, it will show if the voter requested a mail ballot for the General Election. If so, the voter does not have to re-apply, a general ballot will be mailed when available (starting September 18).

While recent changes in election law allow election officials to accept ballots that are postmarked by Election Day and received in the mail no later than two days after the election (Thursday, August 13), we are strongly encouraging voters to return their ballot as soon as possible. 
 
Return in person: Minneapolis voters can return their ballot to either Minneapolis Elections & Voter Services at 980 E Hennepin Ave or Hennepin County Elections at 300 S 6th Street by 3:00 p.m. on Election Day. Reminder, absentee ballots cannot be returned to polling places on Election Day.
 
A voter can return their own ballot, or have it returned by someone they know. Individuals returning a ballot on behalf of the voter will be required to present an ID and complete paperwork. In either scenario, voters should be prepared to remove the outer mail envelope to verify the information on the enclosed signature envelope is correct and that the ballot can be accepted.
 
To keep in-person ballot return safe, we will be offering a new drive thru ballot drop off during the final days before the election. This option will allow voters to remain in the safety of their car (or bike) to drop off their ballot. Please note the date and hours for this option in the visual below.

ELECTION DAY REMINDERS FOR VOTERS
Voters planning to cast their ballot on Election Day can take a number of quick steps to ensure they don’t run into delays or problems.

1. Confirm Polling Place Location: Minneapolis has relocated 50 polling places to protect those living in residential facilities and to use larger spaces better suited for social distancing. Voters can confirm if their polling place was impacted by using the polling place finder.
   
2. Check Registration Status: Checking your registration status in advance of voting is quick and easy with a tool found on the Secretary of State’s website. By entering some basic identifying information, voters will know if their registration status is up to date. Those who aren’t registered can also review what documentation they can bring with them to complete same day registration.
   
3. Review Polling Place Procedures During COVID-19: Minneapolis is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for all voters and election judges. To that end we have implemented a number of changes to our polling places this year to increase safety while maintaining our high standards of voter service. Voters can learn more about these changes on our website with the COVID-19 Polling Place Safety Procedures page.
   

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