Everything you need to vote, and help others do the same

Election Day is officially one month away, so it’s time to make a voting plan. In theory, voting should be a simple and easy process. Register, choose your candidates, and cast your ballot. But sometimes that’s easier said than done, and the various details of the voting process can make it feel more complicated than it should be. Add to this new election laws, increases in voter suppression, and a constant influx of information from people trying to gain your vote, and the process can quickly become intimidating. We’re here to make it easy again. Whether you want to get fully into the elections season or just worry about your own ballot, we have all the information you’ll need!

Let's start with the basics:

• Register to vote
  • If you are a US citizen and have been a resident of Minnesota for at least 20 days, are 18 or older, and aren’t incarcerated for a felony or under a court order that revokes your right to vote, you are eligible to vote.
  • Register to vote, or check your registration if you aren't sure where you are registered.
• See what's on your ballot
  • Check your sample ballot to see which candidates are running. This is a big election year, and everyone will be voting for US President, US Senators and Representatives, State Representatives, judicial seats, and a constitutional amendment. With this many offices and possibly more depending on where you live, make sure to check ahead of time so you can do your research.
• Decide how you're voting
  • Vote by mail: apply for an absentee ballot, then drop it off or mail it to your county elections office. We recommend mailing by October 29.
  • Vote early in person: find out where to go and check their hours.
  • Vote in person on November 5: find your polling place.
• Do your research
  • Figuring out which candidates align with your values can take time. Learn about how voting impacts affordable homeownership, and view our Candidate Conversation Guide to learn how to engage with candidates on housing and Vote for Home this year.

Next, know your rights:

Now let’s get into the details. Across the country, we are facing rising trends in voter suppression that threaten our democracy and the voters that uphold it. These practices disproportionately target people of color and marginalized communities that already face barriers to voting. Luckily, our state is joining others to protect free, fair, and secure elections and make sure everyone eligible to vote can do so. In May, Governor Walz signed into law the Minnesota Voting Rights Act. Expanding on the federal Voting Rights Act, this legislation ensures that voters can cast their ballots and have rights to fight against voter suppression if they encounter it. There is also a national Election Protection Hotline you can text or call if anyone tries to stop you from voting: 1-866-687-8683.

One of the best ways to combat voter suppression and misinformation is by knowing your rights. In Minnesota, you have the right to:

• Take time off work to vote without losing your pay, personal leave, or vacation time.
• Vote if you are in line by 8:00 p.m.
• Register on Election Day.
• Ask for help, including translating or getting a new ballot if you make a mistake on it.
• Bring your children with you to the polls.
• Bring a sample ballot with you to remember your choices.
• And more!

Check out what's new this year:

There are a host of new laws this election year to make the process easier and more secure.

• Restoring the vote: Minnesotans who have a criminal record can now vote if they aren’t currently incarcerated serving a felony conviction.
• Automatic registration: those applying for a permit, driver’s license, or ID will be registered to vote if they meet eligibility requirements.
• Pre-registration: 16- and 17-year-olds can submit a voter registration form that will take effect on their 18^th birthday.  
• Ongoing vote from home: voters can now request to be automatically sent an absentee ballot during the early vote period, instead of needing to apply again every election.
• Language provisions: voter instructions in Spanish, Somali, and Hmong will be at every polling place statewide.

Learn how to engage further:

Now you know everything about casting your own ballot, but what if you want to go beyond that? With so many offices that have profound impacts on our communities, there is a lot at stake in November, and many voters want to engage further in the democratic process.

One way you can do this is by becoming an election judge. Minnesota employs up to 30,000 election judges on Election Day. It’s a great way to learn more about elections, help your community, and even make some extra money!

The next way is by helping to get out the vote. Did you know one of the most effective ways to help get the vote out is just by talking about it to the people you know? Research suggests that interpersonal influence can have a profound impact on mobilization efforts. This means that having conversations with your friends, family, coworkers, and neighbors can have a huge impact and make all the difference in whether they show up to the polls. Even posting to your social or reposting us can help spread the word and motivate people to vote. Leading up to the election, you can also participate in voter registration drives and assist voters to submit their registration forms.

Minnesota is known for having high voter turnout and we take pride in our civic participation, but this isn’t something we want to take for granted. The Office of the Secretary of State has launched the Here We Vote campaign to reclaim our #1 spot in voter turnout this year, and we want to help them. Add your name to the pledge below and share it with your people to help get out the vote.

Have any questions that we missed? Check out our Elections Resource Center or ask us directly at advocacy@tchabitat.org.