Ramsey County has announced the opening of absentee voting starting Jan. 19, ahead of the presidential primary slated for March 5. Polling places are preparing to welcome voters who opt to cast their ballot early through to March 4, both in person and by mail, as reported by the county's official website.
In a move that brings convenience to the electoral process, voters will have the flexibility to choose from several in-person voting locations including Ramsey County Elections at the Plato Building, and two Ramsey County Libraries in Roseville and Shoreview. With especially the Plato Building having extended hours on the last two days, the groundwork has been laid for a robust early voting period.
For those seeking to vote by mail, there's a straightforward path to participation. The county has simplified the process, whereby voters can either submit an online presidential primary application or download and complete a paper absentee ballot application available in PDF format on Ramsey County's website.
Voting in the presidential primary, however, comes with a selection that voters must navigate. A voter has to declare a party preference and request the relevant ballot, as only major party presidential candidates will be featured. Refusing to select a party means you cannot vote in the primary, and while the actual vote remains secret, the party preference will be shared with the chair of each major political party, ensuring the sanctity of the secret ballot is upheld.
To accommodate the period leading up to the primaries, additional early voting locations will be operational from Feb. 16 through to March 4. This expansion ensures that early voters have ample opportunity and locations to make their voices heard even in the face of inclement weather or other unforeseen circumstances.
