Top 10 Things People With Disabilities Should Know About VOTING
October 12, 2020 — Episode 47
1. You have the right to vote!
o No one else can make the decision to vote on your behalf - including a spouse, parent, children, attorneys, caregivers, doctors or nurses. (The only exception is if a court order restricts your right to vote)
2. People with a developmental disability have the right to vote!
3. You can ask someone to help you with your voting
o You can bring a family member, friend, neighbor or anyone you choose to help you vote at the polling place. (Can’t be someone from your employer or your union).
o They can help you in all parts of the voting process, including in the voting booth. They cannot influence your vote or share how you vote with others.
o You can also show your ballot privately to an election judge to check that it is correctly marked.
o If you cannot easily leave your vehicle to enter the polling place you can ask to have a ballot brought out to you. This is known as “curbside voting.”
3. You can register to vote on line at the MN Secretary of State website: www.sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting/register-to-vote .
o Need an email address (If don’t have one you can download paper application)
o Nee MN Identification card or Driver’s License
(If you don't have one of these, you may use the last four numbers of your Social Security number. If you don't have either of these, use a paper application).
You can also register in person when you vote.
4. There are different ways to Vote
o Vote in person on the day of the election (November 3)
o Vote early in with an absentee ballot at your local election office
(county location; some cities also have locations)
You can also register with proof of residency
Last day to vote early in person is Monday, November 2
o Vote early by mail with an absentee ballot
You do not need to be registered to vote to apply for an absentee ballot
You can track the status of your ballot on line at the Secretary of State website
Your ballot must be postmarked on or before Election Day (November 3, 2020) and received by your county within the next seven calendar days (by November 10)
5. You can have an “agent’ deliver your completed ballot if you are:
in a nursing home, assisted living facility, residential treatment center, group home, or can’t travel to the polling place due to health reasons or a disability.
Your agent must be at 18, have a pre-existing relationship with you and can’t be a candidate. A person can be an agent for three voters in an election.
4. If you have voting questions call: 1-877-600-VOTE (8683) or contact your county election office.