mnvotesinfo.sos.state.mn.us Tips for New Voters : Minnesota

Organization : Minnesota Secretary Of State
Facility : Tips for New Voters
State : Minnesota
Country : United States
Get Here : http://myballotmn.sos.state.mn.us/Default.aspx
Home Page : http://mnvotesinfo.sos.state.mn.us/

Tips for New Voters :

New to voting? Don’t worry—these four simple steps explain the process.

Related : Minnesota Secretary Of State Online Voter Registration : www.electionin.org/1073.html

Go to your polling place :
** You must vote at your assigned polling place. It is usually located near where you live.
** Most polling places are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
** You have a right to time off work to vote, without losing your pay, personal leave, or vacation time.

Sign in or register to vote :
** 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.

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.You can also fill out your ballot using a ballot-marking machine.
** It has many options for marking your ballot, such as large print, audio instructions, key pad or touchscreen.
** 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.
** If you make a mistake, you have a right to ask for a replacement ballot.

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!

Voting hours :
Polling places are usually open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

State and federal elections :
7 a.m.* – 8 p.m.
*In state and federal elections, towns with less than 500 registered voters are not required to open until 10 a.m. but most choose to open at 7 a.m.

City, town and school-only elections :
7 a.m.* – 8 p.m.
*In elections that are only for cities, towns, and/or school districts, polling places located in the metropolitan area do not have to open until 10 a.m. Those outside the metropolitan area do not have to open until 5 p.m. However, most choose to open at 7 a.m.

The metropolitan area is defined as the counties of Anoka, Carver, Chisago, Dakota, Hennepin, Isanti, Ramsey, Scott, Sherburne, Washington, and Wright.

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.

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.

Vote after serving felony conviction :
You can vote after you finish all parts of your felony conviction 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.