HOW TO VOTE IN THE 2024 ELECTION

What’s new this year
• Voters can return absentee ballots in person until 8 p.m. on Election Day.
• There are no restrictions on how many voters a person can assist at the polls.
• Registered voters can ask to be added to a permanent absentee voter list.
• Any citizen with a felony conviction who is not incarcerated can vote, although that law is being challenged.

Who can vote in Minnesota
To vote you must be:
• A U.S. citizen
• At least 18 years old on Election Day (16 and 17-year-olds can pre-register.
• A resident of Minnesota for 20 days.
• Not currently incarcerated for a felony conviction.
• Not under a court order that revokes your right to vote.

How to register to vote
The deadline to register online or by mail is Tuesday, Oct. 15. If you miss that deadline, you can still register on Election Day.
To register online: Go to https://mnvotes.sos.mn.gov/VoterRegistration/index to register to vote.
To register by mail: You can download a paper application to register from the Secretary of State’s website or in person at the county auditor’s office in Virginia.
To register in person: Register during early voting or on Election Day. You’ll need ID with your current address, such as a state driver’s license, state or tribal ID. If you don’t have these forms of identification, you’ll need some kind of photo ID along with a bill, lease, or other document that confirms your name and address.

How to vote in a mail-in precinct
Voters in mail-in precincts, which includes many small or unorganized townships in St. Louis County, or cities smaller than 400 residents, can opt to conduct elections entirely by mail. Those voters registered in these areas will automatically be sent a ballot. Return it by mail in the return envelope provided or return it in person to a county election office. It must be received by 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 5.

Voting an absentee ballot
• Read the instructions that come with your ballot carefully.
• You will need a witness when you vote and complete your ballot. The witness can be either a registered Minnesota voter or a notary.
• Return the ballot and forms right away after you finish. Your ballot will not count if it is received after Election Day.

How to vote early
If you live in a rural township in St. Louis County, you’ll need to early vote (which can be done through an absentee ballot) at the county auditor’s window at the Virginia Government Services Center, located at 201 3rd Av. W in Virginia. Hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. If you’re a Bois Forte band member, you can early vote one day only, on Wednesday, Oct. 16 from noon-6 p.m. in the Eagle Room of the Bois Forte Tribal Government Building, located at 5344 Lakeshore Dr. in Nett Lake.
Residents in the cities of Babbitt, Cook, Ely, Tower, and Virginia can early vote absentee at their local city hall during regular office hours. Remember that only residents within the city limits of these communities are allowed to vote at their city hall. Residents of outlying townships wanting to vote early will need to do so at the county office in Virginia listed above unless their township is providing other early voting options.

Key dates
Deadline to register in advance of Election Day:
Tuesday, Oct. 15

Deadline to return an absentee ballot:
Tuesday, Nov. 5, by 8 p.m.

Early voting days:
Friday, Sept. 20 to Monday, Nov. 4.

Election Day:
Tuesday, Nov. 5, polls open 7 a.m.- 8 p.m.

Do you need to show ID to vote?
No, but you’ll need to show proof of residence if you have not voted in more than four years.