Absentee Voting For November Election Begins

While the election in November may seem a long ways away, it's not too early to look at your calendar and plan ahead when it comes to voting. While Minnesota doesn't offer early voting, those who will be unable to vote on Election Day can vote anytime starting today until the day before the election.

There are several reasons to vote absentee:

• If you will be absent on Election Day. (Think that cruise you might be taking come November or college students who go to school away from home.)
• If you are ill or disabled.
• If you are an election judge in another precinct.
• If you will be observing a religious holiday.

Military and overseas voters can also vote by absentee ballot.

To apply to vote absentee, you can print out an application from the Secretary of State website and turn it in to City Hall via mail, fax, or email (print off the application, sign it, scan it, and attach to an email as a .pdf).

Once your application is turned in, an absentee ballot will be sent to you, and you can vote in person at City Hall or you can vote via USPS mail.

Hours at City Hall will be as follows:

• Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
• The Saturday before the election (Nov. 3), 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
• The Monday before the election (Nov. 5), 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

If you are not registered to vote yet and want to vote absentee, your identification card or drivers license with a current name and address will be needed. If you've recently moved and your identification has your old address a current utility bill with current address will work.