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1. Can I authorize an individual to pick up and return an absentee ballot for me?

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 agent if you are a:

• Patient in a hospital, residential treatment center or nursing home.
• Resident of a group home.
• Resident of a battered women's shelter.
• Resident of an assisted living facility.
• Disabled voter.
• Voter 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:
  • 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 the office where they picked it up before 3 pm 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.

2. How do I know that my ballot has been received and counted?

Check the status of your absentee ballot.

If the tracker says that your ballot has been sent, your voted ballot has not yet been received.

If the tracker says that your ballot has been received, your voted ballot has arrived in the mail but has not yet been processed.

If the tracker says that your ballot has been accepted, your voted ballot has been processed and will be counted.

If the tracker says that your ballot has been rejected, your voted ballot was processed and an error or omission was found. Ramsey County Elections will automatically mail you a replacement ballot along with an explanation of why your ballot was rejected. You may choose one of the following options to ensure your vote counts:

• Use the replacement ballot when it arrives
• Cast an absentee ballot or vote early. View online the locations, dates, and hours.
• Cast your ballot at the polls on Election Day. View online to verify your Election Day voting location.

If you have questions about your absentee ballot, please contact Ramsey County Elections at 651-266-2171.

3. I submitted my absentee ballot but now I have changed my mind. Can I do it over?

In Minnesota, absentee ballots are accepted or rejected within 3 - 5 days of being received and they begin being opened and counted fourteen days before Election Day.

If you wish for your submitted absentee ballot to be "spoiled" and want your ballot re-issued to you, please call Ramsey County Elections at 651-266-2171. Please note that once your absentee ballot has been opened and counted you have already voted in the election. Your absentee ballot cannot be "spoiled" and you can not receive a new ballot.

4. What is the difference between absentee voting, early voting and voting by mail?

Every state has its own laws and jargon regarding elections and this makes it really confusing!

Mail Balloting

When some people talk about voting by mail, they are talking about how elections are run in states like Oregon, Washington, Utah, Colorado, and Hawaii. In these states, voters essentially pre-register to vote in advance of Election Day. Pre-registered voters are then automatically mailed a ballot for each election which they then return via mail or drop box. In Minnesota, there are some mail balloting precincts outside of the Twin Cities area that has been voting this way since it was approved by the MN State Legislature in 1987. However, most people in Minnesota who talk about voting by mail are talking about casting an absentee ballot by mail.

Absentee Voting

Minnesota voters who wish to cast an absentee ballot can do without providing a reason. To have an absentee ballot mailed to you, a voter needs to complete and submit an absentee ballot application - either online or via paper application. In New Brighton, Absentee Ballot Applications are received and processed by Ramsey County Elections. Once your absentee ballot application is processed and verified in the Statewide Voter Registration System, a ballot will be mailed to your home along with instructions, a Manilla secrecy envelope to keep your ballot private, a bar-coded signature envelope for you to certify that you are the person using the ballot, and a return envelope to keep the personal information on your signature envelope private when you mail it back. You can return your absentee ballot by mail or you can drop it off at an early vote center during voting hours. (See question above for locations and times.)

Voters who wish to cast an absentee ballot but do not want to conduct this process through the mail can complete the entire process in person during the absentee / early voting hours at an absentee/ early voting center. (See question above for locations and times.)

Like on Election Day, voters who need to update their voter registration records can do this at the same time they cast an absentee ballot and, like Election Day, voters updating their voter registration when they cast their ballot to need to provide proof of residency in the precinct in order for their ballot to be accepted. View the accepted proofs of residency.

Early Voting

It is true that you are voting early no matter when you cast your ballot in the 46 days prior to Election Day. However, many people who talk about Early Voting in Minnesota are referring to a process that allows voters to cast their ballot in person at an early voting center in seven days before Election Day. Instead of placing their ballot into a series of envelopes like traditional absentee voting requires, the voter may place their ballot directly into a ballot counter just like they would do on Election Day. Minnesota state law permits this type of early voting only in the seven days before Election Day.