Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does the
DFL Party stand for?
A: You can find the party's platform at the State Party's web site.
Q: Why is the Democratic
Party represented by a donkey?
A: Read
the history of this animal icon.
For other information about how the DFL party works, check out our district library. There, you can find our governing constitution, explanations of how conventions work, and more.
Q. When
are the elections?
A. State elections don't happen again this year. Some cities hold municipal elections this year.
Next state primary: September, 2008
Next state general election: November, 2008
Q. What
offices will be on the ballot in 2008?
A. • one of Minnesota's U.S. Senators
• all of Minnesota's 8 Representatives
• all of Minnesota's 134 State Representatives
• some State Judicial Officers
• some Hennepin County Judges
In some cities, there will also be elections for local officials. For
example, in 2006, Richfield elected a City Council member, and
Minneapolis elected four School Board members.
Q. When
are the polling places open for voting?
A. For state elections, most polling places open at 7:00am;
a few polling places in small townships located outside the seven-county
metropolitan area may open as late as 10:00am. All polling places close
at 8:00pm.
Q. Can I
get time off from work to vote?
A. Yes, Minnesota law allows you to take time off from work
without loss of salary or wages to vote during the morning of state elections.
Q. Who is eligible
to vote?
A. You may vote if you are:
- at least 18 years of age
- a US citizen
- a Minnesota resident for at least 20 days before the election
- not a convicted felon without your civil rights
- not under guardianship of the person where you have not retained the right to vote
- not legally incompetent
Q. Where
do I vote?
A. Most people vote in the neighborhood where they live.
You can also look up your polling
place.
Q. How do
I register to vote?
A. Fill out a voter registration card and return it in person
or by mail to your county auditor or the secretary of state.
Voter registration forms are available at county courthouses, city halls and other public buildings throughout the state, in many telephone books, in your state tax booklet (in even-numbered years) or by downloading a copy of the Voter Registration Card (PDF).
You may also register to vote when you apply for or renew your Minnesota driver's license or state identification card.
Q. Can I
register to vote on election day?
A. You can register at your polling place on election day.
You will need one of the following to verify your residence.
- A current, valid Minnesota Driver's License,learner's permit or identification card (or receipt for a new one) containing your address in the precinct
- a "Notice of Late Registration" card mailed to you by your county auditor (if you turned in a registration card late)
- someone who is registered in the precinct where you live to vouch for your residence.
- valid registration at another address in the same precinct
- a Minnesota driver's license, US passport, US military identification card or student identification card that includes your name and photo AND an original bill for water, sewer, gas, electric, phone, solid waste or cable television services that includes your name and current address in the precinct and has a due date within 30 days of election day.
If you are a student, you can also use one of the following documents.
- Student photo ID, registration or fee statement with your current address
- Student photo ID if you are on a student housing list on file at the polling place
Q. Can I
get assistance in the polling place?
A. Yes, if you need help with voting, you can ask the election
judges at the polling place for assistance in reading or marking your
ballot. You may also bring someone with to help you.
All polling places should be fully accessible with clearly marked accessible doors and parking spaces. If you can't easily leave your car, you can ask for the ballot to be brought out to you in your car.
If you are unable to go to the polling place due to an illness or disability, you can vote by absentee ballot.
If you have limited vision, you may ask your county auditor for voter registration and absentee ballot instructions in large print or on cassette tape.
And if you are hearing impaired, every county and most cities will have a TDD device for questions.
Q. What's
absentee voting?
A. You can vote by absentee ballot if you are unable to vote
in person on election day because you are:
- away from home
- ill or disabled
- an election judge serving in another precinct
- unable to go to the polling place due to a religious holiday or beliefs.
With absentee voting, you can vote either in person before election day or by mail. Call your county auditor or city clerk for the details.
In person... Apply and/or vote during normal office hours or from 10 am to 3 pm the Saturday afternoon or until 5 pm the Monday evening before the election.
By mail... If you are in the military or outside the US, vote based on where you last lived in Minnesota. You or your parent, spouse, brother, sister, or adult child can apply for you. Make sure to apply early!
If you are in the military or outside the US, vote based on where you last lived in Minnesota. You or your parent, spouse, brother, sister, or adult child can apply for you. Be sure to apply early!
Q. Can I
vote by absentee ballot?
A. You can vote by absentee ballot if you are unable to vote
in person on election day because you are:
- away from home
- ill or disabled
- an election judge serving in another precinct
- unable to go to the polling place due to a religious holiday or beliefs.
Submit a written
application to your county auditor or city clerk. You can cast your absentee
ballot either in person at a location designated by your county auditor
or by mail.
ABOUT PRECINCT CAUCUSES(precinct caucuses will come again in 2006; however, Minneapolis will hold city-only caucuses in 2005)
Since most people have never attended a caucus, we offer answers to what are the most common questions regarding caucuses.
Q: What is a precinct?
A: A precinct is a subdivision of a city set up for election purposes.
Q: How can I find
out what precinct I live in?
A: You can use the Secretary
of State's pollfinder.
Q: What is a precinct
caucus?
A: A precinct caucus is a neighborhood meeting of individuals with
similar political beliefs that is open to the public.
Q: What is the
purpose of a precinct caucus?
A: A precinct caucus is held once every two years to identify and
present for the consideration of voters the names of some person or persons
whom, in the opinion of those making up the caucus, it would be desirable
to elect to public office. The caucus is also for electing delegates to
district conventions and adding resolutions to political platforms.
In 2004, participants in DFL precinct caucuses had the opportunity to
vote in a binding presidential preference poll. The results of the
poll were used to select delegates to the Democratic National Convention.
Q: Who can participate
at a precinct caucus?
A: Everyone who will be at least 18 years of age by the date of
the general election, who is in general agreement with the principals
of the political party, who either voted or affiliated with the party
at the last general election or who intends to vote or affiliate with
the party at the next general election.
Q: Who can attend
the precinct caucus?
A: Anyone can attend the precinct caucuses. This includes high
school students and swing voters.
Q: Will anyone
know how I vote at the precinct caucus?
A: All votes at a precinct caucus are by secret ballot.
Q: How long will
the precinct caucuses last?
A: Historically, caucuses conclude by 8 p.m.