Minnesota Same-Day Voter Registration Information - It’s Not Too Late!

All the discussion about voter registration and voter ID laws can be confusing. The Minnesota deadline to pre-register to vote was October 16. It’s not too late to register to vote. Minnesota allows voters to use same-day registration to vote. According to the MN Secretary of State, over 500,000 people used same-day registration in 2008. In fact, around 61% of voters in Minnesota have used same-day registration at some point.

Minnesota allows voters to register on Election Day at their polling place. Same-day registration isn’t just for new voters. If you were previously registered to vote but have moved, changed your name or have not voted for four consecutive years you will need to use same day registration. Also, if you received a notice of late registration from your county auditor or city clerk you will need to use same day registration. Minnesota provides a helpful voter registration lookup to check your registration.

Find out if you're registered here. 

If you need to use same day registration, you will need to provide proof of residence. There are a variety of ways through which you can do so.

Here's what to bring.

In addition, if you live in a nursing home, veterans home, group housing, homeless shelter, battered women’s shelter, or transitional housing you can still register to vote! An employee of the facility you live in can vouch for your residency through a written form.

Are you worried about getting to the polls? For some facilities (like nursing homes) the law allows you to designate someone to bring you a ballot. You will need to fill out a request form and the links are provided below.

Residential Facility Registration

Residential Facility Voting

So what’s all this about voter ID? The ballot for the 2012 election will include a proposed amendment to change the Minnesota Constitution. Voters will decide whether to change the constitution or to leave the constitution the way it currently is. Voting registration and procedures will remain the same for the 2012 election. However, if passed, these changes would severely impact future elections, including ending same-day voter registration. It would change how you vote, who can vote, and increase the financial cost of elections.

Voter Restriction Amendment Impact On Future Elections