Minnesotans keen on having their say in the race to the White House can trot over to the Coon Rapids Civic Center, where early birds can cast absentee ballots ahead of the presidential primary. Voting kicked off on January 19 and runs through the wire on March 4, giving voters a comfortable lead time before the primary punches in on March 5, the city announced.
"So when you come to vote you will be asked (by an election judge) to declare on your ballot application which party's ballot you would like to receive," City Clerk Joan Lenzmeier explained in a recent statement, as citizens toe the line to take their pick at the presidential hopefuls jockeying for position. Voters are also allowed to give their ballots a direct shot into the machine starting February 16, switching up from mailed-in absentee forms, until the eve of election day.
The Civic Center’s doors are thrown open for absentee voting Monday to Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and exceptionally on Saturday, March 2nd, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., catering to those who need to swing by outside the typical nine-to-five.
However, the City of Coon Rapids finds itself short-handed, calling on eagle-eyed election judges to steward the 22 polling locations; "It takes a lot of us to make this work, and we are short maybe about 15 or so folks,” Lenzmeier said, beckoning the public spirit of past volunteers. Those interested in pitching in for these civic duties can contact the hotline at 763-767-4688 for more intel, Coon Rapids officials are waving the flag for any registered Minnesota voter over 18 to mark their calendar for March 5.
