FAQs • New Brighton, MN • CivicEngage

How do I vote if I can’t make it on Election Day?

In Minnesota, voters are allowed to cast an absentee ballot for any reason in the 46 days prior to Election Day by mail or in person. Voters can also vote early in the seven days before Election Day. Learn more about absentee and early voting options by clicking here.

Military and overseas voters can vote by absentee ballot by using the process outlined in the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) administered by the MN Secretary of State's Office.

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Elections

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1. Where do I vote on Election Day?

Our precinct boundaries and polling places have changed. Please confirm your Election Day voting location before Election Day by visiting the MN Secretary of State's Online Pollfinder.

Learn more about precinct boundary changes by visiting our Redistricting Information page.

2. How do I vote if I can’t make it on Election Day?

3. What do Voters Who Feel Sick on Election Day Do?

If you are feeling sick on Election Day, are a patient in a hospital or other medical facility (including a nursing home), are a resident of a shelter or assisted living facility, or are disabled, you may enlist someone you know to help you vote.

Each agent is allowed to deliver and return ballots for a maximum of three voters.

You can cast an absentee vote by the agent if you are a:

Patient in a hospital, residential treatment center, or nursing home.
A resident of a group home.
A resident of a battered women's shelter.
A resident of an assisted living facility.
Disabled voter.
Voters who would have difficulty getting to the polls because of incapacitating health reasons.

How to Vote by Agent

Choose someone to be your agent who:
- Has a pre-existing relationship with you.
- Is at least 18 years old.
- Is not a candidate in the election.
Complete and return both of the following before 2 pm on Election Day to Ramsey County Elections located at 90 Plato Boulevard in St. Paul:
- Request for Agent Delivery of Absentee Ballot Form (PDF)
- Absentee Ballot Application (PDF)
Have your agent bring the completed forms to Ramsey County Elections located at 90 Plato Boulevard W; St. Paul MN to pick up your ballot.
- Your agent must pick up your ballot before 2 pm on Election Day.
Your agent will be given your ballot and envelopes to bring to you.
Vote your ballot and complete the materials according to the enclosed instructions.
Have your agent return your voted ballot to Ramsey County Elections offices BEFORE 3 on Election Day.
- Your agent must show an ID with your name and signature.
- Voted ballots must be returned by 3 pm on Election Day to be counted.

View a flowchart outlining the process of absentee voting using an agent for delivery for easy reference.

On Election Day, you can also vote from your car at your polling location. When you arrive, have someone in your car let the election judges know you would like to exercise this option. Alternatively, you can contact Ramsey County Elections and let them know you would like to exercise this option.

4. What offices and candidates are on my ballot?

Find out what offices and candidates will be on your ballot by visiting the MN Secretary of State’s website on Who’s On My Ballot. Information is available approximately 45 days prior to Election Day.

Visit the Secretary of State’s Candidate Filings page to look for contact information for specific candidates and offices.

5. It’s Election Day and I’ve had an emergency. How do I vote?

Some voters may be able to authorize an individual (agent) to pick up and return an absentee ballot for them. This service is available only within the seven days preceding an election.

Each agent is allowed to deliver and return ballots for a maximum of three voters.

You can cast an absentee vote by the agent if you are a:

Patient in a hospital, residential treatment center, or nursing home.
A resident of a group home.
A resident of a battered women's shelter.
A resident of an assisted living facility.
Disabled voter.
Voters who would have difficulty getting to the polls because of incapacitating health reasons.

How to Vote by Agent

Choose someone to be your agent who:
- Has a pre-existing relationship with you.
- Is at least 18 years old.
- Is not a candidate in the election.
Complete and return both of the following before 2 pm on Election Day to Ramsey County Elections located at 90 Plato Boulevard in St. Paul:
- Request for Agent Delivery of Absentee Ballot Form (PDF)
- Absentee Ballot Application (PDF)
Have your agent bring the completed forms to Ramsey County Elections located at 90 Plato Boulevard W; St. Paul MN to pick up your ballot.
- Your agent must pick up your ballot before 2 pm on Election Day.
Your agent will be given your ballot and envelopes to bring to you.
Vote your ballot and complete the materials according to the enclosed instructions.
Have your agent return your voted ballot to Ramsey County Elections offices BEFORE 3 on Election Day.
- Your agent must show an ID with your name and signature.
- Voted ballots must be returned by 3 pm on Election Day to be counted.

View a flowchart outlining the process of absentee voting using an agent for delivery for easy reference.

6. Can I pick up a ballot for my spouse/child/neighbor?

No. Not unless they qualify for Agent Delivery.

Some voters may be able to authorize an individual (agent) to pick up and return an absentee ballot for them. This service is available only within the seven days preceding an election.

Each agent is allowed to deliver and return ballots for a maximum of three voters.

You can cast an absentee vote by the agent if you are a:

Patient in a hospital, residential treatment center, or nursing home.
A resident of a group home.
A resident of a battered women's shelter.
A resident of an assisted living facility.
Disabled voter.
Voters who would have difficulty getting to the polls because of incapacitating health reasons.

How to Vote by Agent

Choose someone to be your agent who:
- Has a pre-existing relationship with you.
- Is at least 18 years old.
- Is not a candidate in the election.
Complete and return both of the following before 2 pm on Election Day to Ramsey County Elections located at 90 Plato Boulevard in St. Paul:
- Request for Agent Delivery of Absentee Ballot Form (PDF)
- Absentee Ballot Application (PDF)
Have your agent bring the completed forms to Ramsey County Elections located at 90 Plato Boulevard W; St. Paul MN to pick up your ballot.
- Your agent must pick up your ballot before 2 pm on Election Day.
Your agent will be given your ballot and envelopes to bring to you.
Vote your ballot and complete the materials according to the enclosed instructions.
Have your agent return your voted ballot to Ramsey County Elections offices BEFORE 3 on Election Day.
- Your agent must show an ID with your name and signature.
- Voted ballots must be returned by 3 pm on Election Day to be counted.

View a flowchart outlining the process of absentee voting using an agent for delivery for easy reference.

7. Am I registered to vote?

Wondering if you're registered to vote? Find out on the Voter Information Portal website.

If you don't find your voter registration or if your information is incorrect, update your voter registration on the Minnesota Register to Vote website.

8. How do I know that you are going to count my absentee ballot?

In the 46 days prior to Election Day, voters may cast an absentee ballot in person or they may complete the absentee process by mail. In Minnesota, all citizens are allowed to vote using an absentee ballot for any reason and all absentee ballots that have been received by Election Day and accepted* by the Absentee Ballot Board are counted. You can also track the status of your ballot and verify it has been counted!

View the Status of Your Ballot.

Note: To be accepted by the Absentee Ballot Board:

The voter's name and address on the envelope must match the absentee ballot application.
The voter must have signed the envelope.
The voter must have provided the same identification numbers on the envelope and the application or the signature on the envelope must match the signature on the application.
The voter must be registered and eligible to vote in the precinct or have included a properly complete and signed Voter Registration Application with proof of residence marked on the envelope.
A witness must have signed the statement on the envelope and provided a Minnesota residential address, a title indicating they are eligible to administer oaths or affixed a notary stamp.
The voter must not have already voted in the election.
If the absentee ballot was delivered by an agent, it must be sealed and cannot appear to have been tampered with.
It must have been received on time. (Before 3 pm on Election Day at City Hall if on Election Day and by 8 pm on Election Day at Ramsey County offices if delivered by USPS or parcel service.)
Alternately, voters may choose to cast a ballot using the early voting process the seven days before Election Day. Voters who choose to use the early voting process put their ballot directly into the ballot counter yourself like Election Day.

Learn where to Vote Early In-Person.