Regardless of whether you believe we need a change of leadership or you believe our current administration is best suited to see us through the current difficulties facing our nation, it’s imperative that you do not let the coronavirus prevent you from conducting your civic duty of casting your vote in the election. In Minnesota, the primary election is fast approaching, and the presidential election is less than 100 days away, so now is the time to take steps to ensure you can vote regardless of how the coronavirus plays out in the coming weeks and months.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a statement encouraging people to vote via absentee ballot to reduce the number of people at the physical polls in hopes of helping to reduce the spread of the coronavirus. All Minnesota voters are eligible to vote by mail, so below, we’re going to walk you through the process of applying for your absentee ballot and what deadlines you need to be aware of so you can ensure you can safely vote.
Deadlines and Absentee Voting In Minnesota
In order to have enough time to receive your ballot and send it back in, local governments recommend that you apply for your ballot no later than 10 days before the primary election, which is held on August 11. That means you should apply for your absentee ballot by this Saturday.
To apply for an absentee ballot for the primary election, click here to be taken to the website for requesting your absentee ballot. It’s very easy to apply for an absentee ballot. All you’ll need is an email address and either your driver’s license number, a Minnesota ID card or the last four digits of your social security number. If you have that information and know what county you reside in, it should be a breeze to fill out the application and get your absentee ballot in plenty of time before the August 11 primary election.
If you’re only interested in applying for an absentee ballot for the presidential election, that’s easy enough to do as well. There is a government webpage that provides information on applying for a presidential-only absentee ballot in Minnesota, but it’s still showing dates and information from the 2016 election, so your best bet is to click that link we featured above (or click here if that’s easier). From that same page, if you select your county and zip code from the drop down tabs, you then have the choice of getting your absentee ballot for the primary election, the general election or both the primary and general election. Choosing an option that includes the presidential election will allow you to vote absentee for the president.
Finally, it’s worth noting that for your absentee vote to count in the presidential election, your absentee ballot has to be received by election day, which is November 3rd. If it’s postmarked before that date but received after it, your vote won’t count. This is why it’s so important to apply for your ballot early and send it back quickly to ensure your vote counts. You can also drop your ballot off in person, but if you want to avoid potential COVID exposure, make sure you ballot is mailed back at least a week in advance.
For more information about the coronavirus and other health issues, reach out to Dr. Silverman and the team at Silverman Ankle & Foot today.
