It's go time for voters looking to get ahead of the game in Minnesota, with in-person absentee voting kicking off on Friday, January 19. The opportunity to vote early applies to those participating in the upcoming March 5th Presidential Nomination Primary, according to details on the Anoka County website. For those residing in Columbia Heights, this includes casting an early ballot for the February 13th special election.
For the more tech-savvy, online absentee ballot applications are a click away, but only if you're not voting in municipal or school district elections—those still require paper. Applications returned before the absentee period will secure voters a spot at the head of the line, their ballots mailed out on day one, voters are encouraged to apply sooner rather than later to ensure there's no last-minute postal pandemonium, according to the Anoka County official website.
Every absentee ballot needs a witness in 2024, a new mandate that ensures every vote is legit. Should absentee voters select mail as their method of return, the ballot must arrive by Election Day to count—or they can hand-deliver their own by 8 p.m. at the county government center or city hall, provided it's not the polling place. For good Samaritans assisting others, there's a three-ballot limit and ID is a must, as per the Anoka County Minnesota.
The savvy voter can play Sherlock with their ballot, tracking its journey to being counted at mnvotes.org/track and Anoka County is all about transparency, prying open envelopes a week before D-Day to check everything's above board, if problems arise, there's a replacment ballot en route and, fingers crossed, a phone call or email if you're really cutting it close. Questions about where your vote went? Ring Anoka County Elections at 763-324-1300 or hit them up via email at [email protected] to solve that mystery.
