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Information for New Voters

Minnesota's voting information in American Sign Language and English with captions and voiceover

10/16/2024 4:02:39 PM

ASL version

If you are DeafBlind or prefer to watch the video in a high contrast format, watch the DeafBlind friendlier ASL version instead. To adjust the video speed, use YouTube's playback speed tool.

English version

Are you new to voting? Don’t worry—these steps explain the process.

Go to your polling place

You must vote at your assigned polling place. It is usually located near where you live. Find your polling place at the MNVotes website. Most polling places open at 7 a.m. All polling places will remain open until 8 p.m. Anyone in line to vote by 8 p.m. must be allowed to vote.

Sign in or register

If you are registered to vote, your name will be on a list of voters. You just need to write your signature next to your name. If you are registered, you do not need to show ID when you sign in.

If you did not register before Election Day, you must show proof of your current address. For example, you can show a current Minnesota driver’s license or state ID. Or you can show a photo ID that has your old address, along with a bill that shows your current address. For a list of all the types of ID and documents you can bring, visit the MNVotes website.

Vote

You will vote in a private area, and your vote is secret. Vote with a pen or pencil, and completely fill in the oval next to your choice. The ballot instructions will say how many candidates you can choose for each office. Usually it will say to ‘choose one.’ Some local offices may have more than one seat to fill. Your ballot will count even if you do not vote on every race or ballot question.

Take your ballot to the ballot box. After you have voted, put your ballot in the ballot-counter machine. Be sure to get your “I Voted” sticker before you leave!

Vote early with an absentee ballot

You can vote early at your local elections office. You can also apply to have an absentee ballot sent to you in the mail. To find your local elections office or to request an absentee ballot, visit the MNVotes website.

A friendly reminder, you also have time off work to vote at any point during the absentee voting period.

Time off work to vote

You have a right to time off work to vote, without losing your pay, personal leave, or vacation time.

For further information about those new voting laws, check out the MNVotes website or call 1-877-600-VOTE.

Credits

The Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State and the Minnesota Commission of the Deaf, DeafBlind & Hard of Hearing thank:

Jer Loudenback for ASL talent.

Becky Lukkason for voiceover. 

Keystone Interpreting Solutions for film production. 

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