Vote!

On November 6, a number of offices are up for election. If you are 18 or will be by election day, then you should go and vote. You can vote early, if you prefer. Check the website below for all kinds of info on voting.


Here's how to find out where to vote, and to see a sample ballot based on your location. https://www.sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting/  You can also see how to vote if you are attending college away from home.

Every city or town in Minnesota belongs to a district. Based on your district, different things can be up for a vote.

In addition, each district has a representative in the State Senate--you may see ads on TV for various candidates, but they may not be in your voting district. You need to know who is, and what they favor, to be sure which candidate matches your wishes.

People can always run on any 'ticket' they want; that is, while the major political parties are Democrat and Republican, there are others, too, such as Independent, Green, Libertarian, Grassroots, or no affiliation. You don't need to be a member of any party at all to run for office, nor to vote.

You may also see several judges on your ballot, and it's likely you don't know anything about them. They frequently run unopposed, but they are elected officials.


This election, all voters in the state will be voting for United States Senator, State Auditor, State Attorney General, Governor (Mark Dayton is retiring from office) and Lieutenant Governor (Tina Smith held that office but became U.S. Senator to fill Al Franken's role, so now she is running to be elected), as well as local offices such as City Board Members and Judges. You will see some of them are running unopposed (no one else is running for that office).




Some of the candidates will say 'Incumbent' by their names, that means they currently hold that office. They may be unopposed or opposed. You can vote for the incumbent or someone else if you want to.

You forgot? The weather was bad? It wasn't at a time you found convenient? If someone gave you months of notice there was an important concert happening on a certain date, you'd show up, right? It's stunning how many people who could vote, do not vote. Why? It's the least you can do for your country. And it's so simple!

OK, these are mostly pretty lame reasons not to vote. Unless lines are long, it should only take about 15 minutes of your time, possibly even less. You stand in line to get coffee or McDonalds, don't you?


And, did you know Uber and Lyft are offering free or half price rides to your poll? Another 'problem' solved:  https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Uber-Lyft-To-Provide-Free-Trips-On-Election-Day-Vote-Polling-Place-Midterms-Elections-497528571.html




You can also write in anyone you choose if you feel like that person is better qualified than anyone else. This is, logically, a "Write In" vote.


Here's what a ballot typically looks like. You fill in the ovals with a pen or marker provided at the polling place. Be sure to turn the sheet over, usually there are more candidates and offices on the other side.

Not sure where the candidates stand on issues that matter to you? Confused by campaign ads on TV? Every candidate has a website. You can check and see if that candidate's views match yours.

                                               Really??? A bit over half of potential voters actually voted?? Belgium, we're not.
Why vote???

• We have a democracy. That means we all decide who represents us and what laws we want passed. If you vote, you make your voice heard.
• It's a way to honor veterans: They fought and served our country to preserve our rights. Show your appreciation by participating!
• It shows you care about what goes on in your community and your country
• It's the simplest and most basic way to participate in your government
• Majority rules. If an issue or a candidate is important to you, then speak up with your vote.
• You can't sit home and complain about what's going on if you didn't make the effort to vote.
• Everyone 18 and older can vote. It's not just up to the older generation to vote, it's everybody's right and responsibility-don't 'let those people handle it' thereby giving up your power.
• If you want someone in or out of office, you speak with your vote.
• It's easy and doesn't take much of your time. Your polling place is close to home, registering is simple, go and get it done.

 

 

 

Voting: A little Quality Time To Yourself

This year's election will be on November 8. Polling places will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.. You might be wondering what it's like to vote. Here you go:


First, find out where you are supposed to vote. Voting locations are based on your address. They're usually conveniently close to your house. Usually, your polling place will be a local school or possibly a church building; this is in order to accommodate a large number of people with no problem. *You need to go the polling place designated for you, you cannot just go into any polling place.


You can look up where your polling place is by entering your zip code and address here: 
http://myballotmn.sos.state.mn.us/Street.aspx?ModeType=1&ZipCode=55434


The polling place will be tended by a number of election judges. These people keep order, check registered voters in, register new voters, and make sure all ballots are kept secret and secure for the day of the election. They often work from 6:00 a.m. until after the polls are closed for the evening. If you're interested in becoming an election judge, click on this link: http://www.sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting/get-involved/become-an-election-judge/


**Did you know students ages 16-17 can be Election Judge Trainees and help out at the polling place on Election Day?** Sounds like a great way to see the process of election!!






This link tells you how to vote if you are away at college, and other special circumstances. There are links to a paper registration and where to mail it, or to register online as well:

http://www.sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting/register-to-vote/im-a-college-student/?searchTerm=college 

Graphic from 2012: Look how many people were in the 21-40 years old age group--That's voting power.

If you haven't registered to vote, you can bring with identification and register right before you vote. You will need a Drivers License or your Social Security number. You may also need to show a bill, such as a utility bill, to prove you live at your address.

 

You can vote in Minnesota if:

• You are a Citizen of the United States
• You are 18 years old by Election Day, November 8, 2016
• You have lived in Minnesota for 20 days prior to November 8. Thus, you have to have lived in this state on October 19th.
• You must not have been convicted of treason or a felony
• You are not legally incompetent

 

You only need to register one time.

This is a typical ballot from the last election.

Once you are registered, an Election Judge will hand you a ballot. These are often long sheets of paper with all the candidates listed for each position being elected, and will be in a large cardboard folder. You'll be given the right sort of pen or marker to use on the ballot, Be sure you turn it over and look at all the different offices you can vote for.

Other officials may be up for election on your ballot, and there may also be items specifically related to one city or one district. For example, this year in Minnesota, voters can cast a ballot for these people:

• President and Vice President: The ballot lists Democrate, Republican, and Independent Party choices. You have the right to write in another name of your choice and vote for that person.
• U.S. Representative, District 6
• State Senator, District 37 and 37A
• County Commissioner, District 3
• Soil and Water Superintendent
• Mayor, City of Blaine
• Council Member: Ward 1, Blaine
• Some Associate Justices
• Many Judges
• A question put to the voters of Blaine about a community center/Senior Center.

 

While it would be appreciated if you look up these folks and make an informed decision, you are not required to vote for any other officials. If you only want to vote for President, you can do that and your vote will be counted. If you see the word "incumbent" before a name, that means the person already holds the office and is running for re-election.

A ballot like the one you see above  requires you to fill in the ovals next to the candidate you want to vote for. As with any scanned type of paper, be sure you fill the oval neatly, not too small and not too sloppy; the scanner can't read those and will reject your ballot.

If you mess up your ballot, take it to an election judge to get a fresh one. Don't crumple it up, just hand it to a judge.

The next time there is an election, since you have registered, you simply go to your polling place, give an election judge your name and address, and then sign next to your name. Then you'll be given your ballot (voting paper) and directed to a booth.


Some booths have long curtains for your privacy and some have sides that would prevent anyone from seeing who you're voting for. Some places have curtains behind the voter, but either way,  keeping your vote secret is no problem.

Ballot Booths. They each have tall sides so you can't see anyone's ballot.

When you are done (and take your time, be sure you are voting for the people you want) you can put your paper ballot back into the large cardboard folder and bring it to the person who is putting the ballots into the counting machine. No need to remove it from the folder, it will hang out enough for the scanner to grab it. The machine looks like this:

No one is going to see who you voted for, including the election judge.

You'll probably be offered an "I Voted" sticker to place on your jacket.

That's it!! You just made your voice heard. Now you can keep tabs on results as they come in by watching it on TV or online.