PARK RAPIDS LWV: Voting by mail and early voting are reliable and secure – Park Rapids Enterprise

Postal voting and early voting for the November 5 general election begins on Friday, September 20.

Voting by mail and early voting have been a reliable way to vote in Minnesota for over a century. Voting by mail is safe and convenient.

As of June 1, state residents can apply to be placed on a permanent mail-in voter list. People on the list will automatically receive a ballot in the mail for all national, state and local elections in which they are eligible to vote.

You can ask to be added to this list when you register to vote. If you are already registered to vote, you can update your information and ask to be added to the list. Registration and updating can be done online at mnvotes.sos.mn.gov. You can also download a paper application from the Secretary of State's website.

Another way to register or update your voting preference is to show up in person at your county election office. You will need a Minnesota driver's license or identification card.

Absentee and early ballots can be used to vote by mail or in person. Follow the guidelines below:

• Ballots sent by mail must be received on or before Election Day and not just postmarked.
• Ballots cast in person must be returned to the office that mailed the ballots before 5 p.m. the day before the election. (In Hubbard County, this is the county courthouse.)
• Postal ballots cannot be accepted at your local polling station on Election Day.
• If you missed early voting, you can still do so at your local polling place on Election Day, provided your mail-in ballot has not already been counted.

Voting by mail and early voting is very secure in Minnesota. When your ballot is received at the county election office, it is reviewed by at least two people on the absentee ballot board. The board is staffed by trained poll workers and other trained reviewers. The review ensures that the person is eligible to vote and that the person who requested the ballot is the person who requested the ballot.

After the ballot is accepted, it is entered into the statewide voter registration system. The system ensures that no one can vote again or request an additional mail-in ballot on Election Day.

Voters can track their ballot and confirm that it was received and counted. Sign up for ballot tracking at sos.state.mn.us.

A reminder to all voters: Over 30 years ago, Minnesotans voted to dedicate a portion of state lottery revenue to conservation. Since then, over $1 billion has been allocated for our natural world. In November, every Minnesotan's ballot will have the question of renewing these funds on it. To ensure this important source of funding continues to be dedicated to the natural world, over 50% of voters must vote “yes.” Failure to answer the question will count as a “no” vote. Failure to pass will remove the constitutional protections of these important conservation funds. Learn more:

There have been changes to Minnesota's election rules in recent years. As with any change, people have questions.

The League of Voters Park Rapids Area is a nonpartisan organization and a source of accurate information on voting rights. If you have specific questions, email [email protected]. The League of Women Voters of Minnesota has been a trusted source of voter information for over 100 years, supporting communities across the state to ensure free, fair and secure elections.

League of Women Voters Park Rapids Area (LWV) is a non-partisan organization. Its mission is to promote informed and active participation in government through education and advocacy. All LWV programs are free and open to the public. Email questions about LWV activities, events, or membership to [email protected]. Follow our activities and events at lwvparkrapidsarea.blogspot.com.