MN8 Voting Hub 2024

Last updated: September 16, 2024

Voting is just one of the many ways we can take action to support our community. We have the responsibility to elect community leaders that will stand strongly with our communities, including non-citizens, incarcerated folks, and other people who can not vote in elections. As people who can vote, we recognize that we must vote for our community’s interest and the issues in alignment with our values. In addition to voting, we can resist the systems of oppression through forms of storytelling, relationship building, and art.

VOTING UPDATE FOR FORMERLY INCARCERATED & FOLKS ON PAROLE:

In the state of Minnesota since June 1st 2023, individuals convicted of a felony will have their right to vote restored upon completion of incarceration. Individuals on parole will also have the right to vote. This means if you have a criminal record, voting does NOT affect your right to vote! Please note that this information does not impact or change legal statuses, noncitizens are not allowed to register to vote or cast a ballot. Noncitizens can face detrimental and harsh consequences if this occurs! Find more information to check if you are eligible to vote here and look over our FAQ below to ensure your safety in voting. Make sure to check out this fact sheet here.

Please note that you NEED to have citizenship in order to vote! Noncitizens can face detrimental and harsh consequences if they even register to vote!

VOTING HELP IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES

APIA Vote multilingual voter hotline: Call 1-888-API-VOTE or 1-888-274-8683

*Bilingual assistance is available in English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Urdu, Hindi, and Bengali.

Click on the language you speak below to view in-language voter resources:

WHEN CAN I VOTE?

Vote early in-person – Starting from September 20th until November 4th. You can vote early with an absentee ballot at your local elections office. Some cities and towns also offer in-person absentee voting. All voters have at least one location where they can vote early in person with an absentee ballot. View the list of voting locations before election day for upcoming elections, or contact your county election office. If you are not registered, you can do so in person if you show proof of residence.

Vote early by mail – Apply to have an absentee ballot mailed to you. You do not need to be registered to apply. 

Election Day – November 5th, 2024, polls are open from 7am to 8pm. Check your registration status or update it here, you are also able to register the day of at your polling place!

Unless you’re voting early or mailing in your vote, the other way to vote is on Election Day. On this day, voters will go to their polling place to cast their ballot

WHERE DO I VOTE?

Everyone has an assigned polling place to go vote depending on your registered address. Find your polling location by inputting your address at this link.

* This information will also include the polling location hours, a map to the polling location, and ballot drop box locations

For early voting, please look at what early voting polling location is available for your county

AM I ELIGIBLE TO VOTE?

Before you register to vote, please check if you are able to cast a ballot. Make sure to read thoroughly as consequences can result in detainment, deportation, and political repercussion.

To vote you must be:

  • A U.S. citizen – you NEED to have citizenship in order to vote! Noncitizens can face detrimental and harsh consequences if they even register to vote!
  • At least 18 years old on Election Day
  • A resident of Minnesota for 20 days
  • Not currently incarcerated for a felony conviction (more info) – In the state of MN, individuals convicted of a felony will have their right to vote restored upon completion of incarceration. Individuals on parole will also have the right to vote.
  • You can vote while under guardianship unless a judge specifically has revoked your right to vote.
  • You cannot vote if a court has ruled that you are legally incompetent.

*You can pre-register to vote at 16 or 17 years old so that you are registered to vote on your 18th birthday. You must be at least 18 years old to vote.

What can I do if I don’t meet the eligibility requirements?

Although you aren’t able to cast a ballot, it doesn’t mean you aren’t able to influence election outcomes! Make sure to keep your family, friends, and circle of people informed about voting. You can share resources, important information about upcoming elections, support community members by reminding them of their voting rights. Community voices are more than just a ballot!

HOW DO I REGISTER TO VOTE?

*Disclaimer: Folks who don’t meet the eligibility requirements to vote, registering to vote or attempting to vote can result in legal trouble and harsh consequences.

Register to Vote Online and Check Your Registration Status

Things to bring when you vote: If issues arise or you aren’t registered to vote before you arrive at your polling place, make sure to bring identification and proof of residency. *What can I bring for proof of residency?

HOW DO I CAST AN INFORMED VOTE?

Research the candidates on your ballot – find out what topics matter to them and their stance on issues you care about

Follow up with candidates – Look to see if your candidate has been doing any work on the issues you care about regularly.

Explore the issues that are brought up on your ballot – Some questions can be worded unfamiliarly and trip up voters! Look into what certain initiatives that you’re voting on actually mean.

Tip: You can use your phone while voting as long as it’s for informational purposes to help you in making election decisions. You are not allowed to take photos or videos of others or of any marked ballots.

WHAT’S ON MY BALLOT?

All voters will have these positions up for vote on their general election ballot:

U.S. President – Responsible for the execution and enforcement of the laws created by Congress. The president also chooses and appoints the leaders of the 15 executive departments that carry out the day-to-day responsibilities of the federal government.

U.S. Senators – Propose legislation, draft or amend bills, oversight of the federal budget, and the executive branch by approving or rejecting presidential appointees for agencies.

U.S. Representatives – Pass federal laws, introduce bills and resolutions, offer amendments, and serve on committees that enable members to develop specialized knowledge on the matters under that committee’s jurisdiction.

State Representatives – Create, debate, and vote on legislation that either makes new laws or modifies existing ones. These representatives should stand for the larger interest of the people of the state.

Judicial seats – Regulate the practice of law, develop rules that govern state courts, and participate in policy development. 

Constitutional Amendment – A constitutional amendment is a formal change or addition to a constitution.

  • This year, there will be a question pertaining to the protection of water quality and using a part of the profits from the state lottery to improve air and green space quality. To amend the Minnesota Constitution is to agree that the state constitution should protect water quality and make an effort for more environmental needs.

Voters may have one or more of these races on their ballot:

School Board Members – Responsible for developing the annual school system budget, setting school policies, and hiring and evaluating the superintendent

City Council Members – The City Council Members work together with the Mayor to pass local laws, policies, and the city’s annual budget

Local ballot questions – These questions will differ depending on your county and district but will most likely be related to taxing and public financing

Find who is specifically on your ballot by using the Poll Place Finder, inputting your information, and scroll down to click “List of Candidates” which will also include information about who is running for what position.

Timing – You have the right to:

  • Vote if you’re in line by 8PM, you are still able to cast your ballot on November 5th
  • Register on Election Day (November 5th) if you can show proof of residency

Voting Eligibility – You have the right to:

  • Vote if you are not currently incarcerated for a felony conviction
  • Vote if you’re under guardianship (unless a judge has revoked your right to vote)

Support from Others – You have the right to:

  • Call APIA Vote multilingual voter hotline: Call 1-888-API-VOTE or 1-888-274-8683 if your citizenship or other qualifications are being questioned
  • Sign in orally to confirm who you are and to ask another person to sign for you if you cannot sign your name.

Polling Places – You have the right to:

  • Bring children under 18 years old to the polls with you to vote
  • Vote without being intimidated or discriminated against.
  • Get a replacement ballot if you’ve made a mistake on your ballot
  • Bring a sample ballot into the voting booth
  • Bring the voter’s bill of rights into the voting booth
  • Vote from your car and curbside vote! If you cannot easily leave your vehicle to enter the polling place, you can ask to have a ballot brought out to you, learn more here.