Election Day Important Information
It’s Too Late To Mail Your Ballot.
If you mail your ballot, it will not be received in time to be counted. Instead, you should vote in person at your polling place or return your ballot by hand by 3 p.m. on Election Day to your local election office. You cannot return your absentee ballot to your polling place on Election Day.
If it is after 3 p.m. on Election Day, you need to go to your polling place to vote in person. If you arrive by 8 p.m., you have the right to vote, even if you’re at the back of the line. Be sure to bring any proof of residency if you need to register to vote (see below).
If You Already Mailed Your Ballot, Check To See If It Has Been Received and Accepted.
If you have already mailed your absentee ballot, you should check to ensure that it has been received and will be counted. Go to mnvotes.org/track to check the status of your absentee ballot. If it says “received and will be counted,” then you do not need to worry, your ballot will actually be counted.
If it says anything else, you can switch to voting in person on Election Day to ensure your vote is counted. Tell the election judge at your polling place that you want to cancel your absentee ballot and vote in person instead. You do not need to show a photo ID in order to do this.
You Can Still Vote If You’re Not Yet Registered To Vote.
Minnesota allows same day registration. If you aren’t registered to vote and plan to vote in person, be sure to bring an accepted proof of residency. You may see memes encouraging voters to seek provisional ballots. Minnesota does not have provisional ballots; we have same day registration instead. So be sure to bring that proof of residency!
Double Check Your Polling Place Location Before You Leave
Many polling places have changed locations since the last election. Check here.
If You Need A Ride To The Polls…
MN Votemobile is gathering information on volunteers who wish to provide rides to the polls, as well as requests from voters who would like a ride.
Minnesota Interfaith Power and Light is also providing rides to the polls. You can request by going to this form or call/text 507-933-0584.
Residents of Plymouth can get free rides through Plymouth Metrolink from 6 a.m. until 8:30 p.m.
LWV Partnering with Lyft to Provide Free Rides to Vote Through Nov. 3: voters can use the Lyft app and enter code LWV2020 (up to $15) one car ride, bike or scooter to a polling place or ballot dropbox.
Additionally, Lyft is offering 50% off for a ride on Election Day with the code VOTE2020. Learn more on their website.
Uber also is offering up 50% off roundtrip rides to and from the polls (up to $7 each trip), or up to $14 for the two trips. It also applies on bikes and scooters. Check the Uber app for details.
Know Your Rights.
Become familiar with the Minnesota Voter’s Bill of Rights. You can print this handout from Attorney General Keith Ellison or watch this video to learn more.
Call 866-OUR-VOTE If You Encounter Problems Voting.
Most voting problems can be addressed by speaking to election judges at your polling place. But if you cannot speak to an election judge or they do not resolve the problem to your satisfaction, call the nonpartisan Election Protection Hotline (866-OUR-VOTE). Assistance is also available in non-English languages:
1-888-VE-Y-VOTA (en Español)
1-888-API-VOTE (Asian multilingual assistance)
1-844-YALLA-US (Arabic)
The Hotline can answer simple questions (e.g., “What kind of ID should I bring to register to vote?”) as well as more urgent issues (e.g., “I need to report that someone tried to intimidate me and prevent me from voting.”)
If You might Have COVID-19, But Haven’t Voted Yet…
A friend can assist you by picking up your ballot for you and delivering your ballot for you. You will need to download, print, and complete an extra form. Your friend will also need to show ID when dropping off your ballot. They can assist no more than 3 voters this way. Learn more about this process, known as agent delivery.
As a last resort, you may also drive to your polling place and elect to use curbside voting (see the green box on this page). However, this is discouraged as it increases the risk of spreading infection. You should attempt to use agent delivery if at all possible.
Understand That Counting Ballots Will Take Extra Time This Year.
Our election will look a little differently this year due to the pandemic. This includes the fact that counting ballots will take extra time this year, and we may not know the winner of some electoral races for a week or more. Watch this video from four of Minnesota’s previous governors (DFL, Republican, and Independent) to learn more. Watch this video from LWV and read this article from NPR.
Be Wary of False Information.
Misinformation and disinformation can undermine public confidence in the electoral process, as well as in our democracy. Do not share or spread information that you cannot verify. Learn more about this issue from the Department of Homeland Security.