Anyone need a voting primer? If so, most of the questions, including where to vote and how to register to vote, should be found in this story.City of Forest Lake residents looking for their polling precinct should find the answer in the map and key included with this story. The map shows the cityís five precincts with the red mark indicating the site of the precinct. The map key includes the name of the precinct location, from Forest Lake City Hall or Faith Lutheran Church.
Anyone with questions about the voting precinct should call Forest Lake City Hall at 651-464-3550.
The city polling places will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 2.
By state law, voters are allowed to take time off from work without loss of salary or wages to vote during the morning of state elections, according to the Minnesota Secretary of State.
Who can vote?
Who is eligible to vote?
According to the Secretary of Stateís office, anyone may vote if they are:
ïat least 18 years of age.
ïa U.S. citizen.
ïa Minnesota resident for at least 20 days before the election.
ïnot a convicted felon without your civil rights.
ïnot under the guardianship of the person where you have not retained the right to vote.
ïnot legally incompetent.
How to register
According to the Secretary of State office, voter registration is as simple as filling out a voter registration card and returning it in person or by mail to the state office or the county auditor.
Voter registration forms are available at the county government center, city halls and other public buildings. Voter registration is also possible when a person renews a Minnesota driverís license or state identification card.
Voter registration is also possible on election day at the personís polling place. A voter will need one of the following to verify his or her residence:
ïMinnesota driverís license, learnerís permit, identification card, or receipt of one, with the personís current address.
ïTribal ID where authorized with a current address.
ïif the Minnesota driverís license or ID card has a former address, the voter may bring a recent utility bill to use with the driverís license.
ïSomeone who is registered in the precinct where the voter lives can also vouch for the voterís residence.
ïa U.S. passport with a utility bill.
ïa U.S. military photo ID card with a utility bill.
(The utility bill must contain the voterís name, current address and be within 30 days of the date of the election. Utility bills may be for electric, gas, water, solid waste, sewer, telephone or cable TV.)
For students wishing to register on election day, they should have:
ïa student ID, registration or fee statement with a current address.
ïa student photo ID with a utility bill.
ïa student ID for a voter who is on a student housing list on file at the polling place.
Voters who need help at the polling place can ask an election judge for assistance in reading the ballot. A voter may also bring someone to their poll to help.
All polling places are required to be fully accessible.
Absentee voting
Voters needing to vote by absentee ballot may also do so at this time in the city of Forest Lake and at precincts throughout the area.
Citizens may vote by absentee ballot prior to Nov. 2 if the voter is unable to vote in person on election day because the voter is:
ïaway from home.
ïill or disabled.
ïan election judge serving in another precinct.
ïunable to go to the polling place due to a religious holiday or belief.
In Forest Lake, call city hall at 651-464-3550 for more details. Absentee voting service is now offered at Forest Lake City Hall, 220 N. Lake St.
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