Early voting in Minnesota begins today, and I hope you’ll participate! Here’s everything you need to know:
We have an outstanding vote-by-mail system in Minnesota. Today is the first day that ballots will be mailed out to voters, but don’t worry if yours doesn’t arrive by this weekend or even next week – delivery times do vary. You can track when your ballot is mailed to you by the state at https://mnvotes.sos.state.mn.us/AbsenteeBallotStatus.aspx. If you haven’t yet requested your mail-in ballot but want to do so, you can do that here: https://mnvotes.sos.state.mn.us/ABRegistration/ABRegistrationStep1.aspx.
When sending your ballot back, you don’t need to pay for postage – just complete your ballot, follow the simple instructions that are enclosed (be sure to sign your envelope like it instructs you to do!), and place it in the mail. To be counted, ballots must be postmarked by Election Day, but I recommend sending them back ASAP just to be certain. It’s important to note that you don’t need a witness signature this year, which makes voting by mail even more accessible! Once you’ve sent your ballot back, you can track its status at https://mnvotes.sos.state.mn.us/AbsenteeBallotStatus.aspx.
Another helpful option is dropping off our sealed, completed mail-in ballots by hand at our city’s early-voting location – I know some voters like to watch their ballot be accepted in-person, while still benefitting from the other great features of the vote-by-mail system. If you use this option, please wear your mask and maintain social distancing to help keep everyone safe!
- Plymouth residents can drop off their sealed, completed mail-in ballot at the voting tent that’s erected in the parking lot of Plymouth City Hall (3400 Plymouth Blvd, Plymouth) between today and Friday, Oct. 23 – hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 8 am-4:30 pm. Beginning on Monday, Oct. 26, all early-voting options, including ballot drop-off, will move from that outdoor tent to inside City Hall, again from 8 am-4:30 pm Monday through Friday. They have extended hours on Saturday, Oct. 31 (10 am-3 pm) and Monday, Nov. 2 (8 am-5 pm).
- Minnetonka residents can hand their sealed, completed mail-in ballot to an election judge at the Minnetonka Community Center (14600 Minnetonka Blvd, Minnetonka). Hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 8 am-4:30 pm between today and Oct. 30. They have extended hours on Saturday, Oct. 31 (10 am-3 pm) and Monday, Nov. 2 (8 am-5 pm).
- Woodland residents can drop off their sealed, completed mail-in ballot inside Deephaven City Hall (20225 Cottagewood Rd, Deephaven). Hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 8 am-4:30 pm between today and Oct. 30. They have extended hours on Saturday, Oct. 31 (10 am-3 pm) and Monday, Nov. 2 (8 am-5 pm).
Our other main early-voting option is voting early in-person. If you’ll be using this option, please wear your mask and maintain social distancing! Counties have received millions of dollars to provide PPE, including masks, to every voter who needs it, and they’ll be providing sanitized pens and hand sanitizer as well as continuously cleaning our polling locations throughout the day.
- Plymouth residents can vote early in-person at the voting tent that’s erected in the parking lot of Plymouth City Hall (3400 Plymouth Blvd, Plymouth) between today and Friday, Oct. 23 – hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 8 am-4:30 pm. Beginning on Monday, Oct. 26, voting will move from that outdoor tent to inside City Hall, again from 8 am-4:30 pm Monday through Friday. They have extended hours on Saturday, Oct. 31 (10 am-3 pm) and Monday, Nov. 2 (8 am-5 pm). Until Oct. 23, you can also use their “vote curbside” option, by pulling your car up to the voting tent to complete the early in-person voting process from inside your vehicle.
- Minnetonka residents can vote early in-person at the Minnetonka Community Center (14600 Minnetonka Blvd, Minnetonka). Hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 8 am-4:30 pm between today and Oct. 30. They have extended hours on Saturday, Oct. 31 (10 am-3 pm) and Monday, Nov. 2 (8 am-5 pm).
- Woodland residents can vote early in-person at Deephaven City Hall (20225 Cottagewood Rd, Deephaven). Hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 8 am-4:30 pm between today and Oct. 30. They have extended hours on Saturday, Oct. 31 (10 am-3 pm) and Monday, Nov. 2 (8 am-5 pm).
Please take advantage of our state’s great system and be an early voter!