Part II: Voter Registration

Understand Eligibility and Special Situations

ELIGIBILITY 

People who: 

  • will be 18 years old on or before the date of the next election; 

  • are US citizens; 

  • have been a resident of Minnesota for 20 days; 

  • are not incarcerated for a felony conviction; and 

  • have not had their right to vote revoked by a judge. 


NEW REGISTRATIONS

Fill out the application form. Make sure: 

  • The writing is very clear and legible and in blue or black ink. If any errors or corrections need to be made, start a new application; do not cross out or redo areas of the form. 

  • All shaded sections are filled in. 

  • The application is signed and dated. 

  • To actively help the person fill out the form. Once finished, double-check that required boxes are complete, LEGIBLE, and error-free.


ALREADY REGISTERED? 

Ask the person if they’d like to pledge to vote. By texting MNVOTE to 33222, they pledge to vote and receive text reminders about key dates in the election process. 


MOVED RECENTLY? 

If the person has moved since last registering, they need to register again with the new address. There is space to write the old address on the application. 


WHY A GOVERNMENT ID IS IMPORTANT 

People should use the number on their Minnesota ID card (such as a driver’s license or Tribal ID card) or the last four digits of their Social Security number. If they do not have either, they can still complete a registration form, but will need to update their registration prior to the election or show an ID at the polling place before voting. 


SPECIAL SITUATIONS 

People who are experiencing homelessness or living in shelters can vote, too. Use the address of the street, intersection, railway station, or place where they spent the previous night. In this circumstance, the voter can only register using a paper form and cannot use online registration.


FURTHER HELP 

If you cannot resolve questions about whether a person is eligible to vote or where they should vote, the person should call the MN Secretary of State’s office at 1-877-600-8683.


 

Page last updated: September 15, 2023