By Chad Koenen

Publisher

False information about elections has proliferated online and on social media since 2020. With the November 3 midterm election now less-than one month away, local election officials continue to see misinformation spread online that is meant to undermine public faith in elections, as well as risk interfering with voters’ ability to understand the political process and voting across the state.

For example, an article on social media that has been reported to the New York Mills Dispatch office encourages people to request provisional ballots in Minnesota if they are told they cannot vote. Since Minnesotans can register on election day, there is no such thing as a provisional ballot in the state. 

Absentee ballots must also be received by election day and not just postmarked like in other states. 

“Election officials must receive the ballot by Election Day—being postmarked before Election Day does not count. If election day is approaching, you may hand deliver your completed absentee ballot to the Government Services Center (GSC) in Fergus Falls. Do not bring your absentee ballot to a polling place on Election Day,” said Liz Mickelson, who is the Deputy County Administrator in Otter Tail County.

According to Mickelson, in order to register on election day, voters can simply fill out a registration application along with one of the following: an ID with the current name and address, photo ID and document with their current name and address or someone to “vouch” for the registrant. 

Even though people can register the day of the election, Mickelson said it is helpful for people to register ahead of time either online at www.mnvotes.sos.mn.gov/VoterRegistration/index or in person at the Government Services Center in Fergus Falls. To register ahead of time a person just needs to fill out a registration application along with one of the following: an ID with the current name and address, photo ID and document with their current name and address or someone to “vouch” for the registrant. 

Mickelson said registering early can help election officials on election day as there will be less paperwork at the polling place for election officials on the busy day, while also lowering the risk of not having the appropriate documentation with little-to-no time to get it in order to vote. 

Individuals who may not be able to vote in person on election day can also request an absentee ballot to mail back to the Government Services Center in Fergus Falls. As a reminder, all absentee ballots must be received by election day and not simply postmarked. To request an absinthe ballot visit www.mnvotes.sos.mn.gov/abrequest/index

Minnesota is also part of a growing list of states that allows for early voting. Early voting began on September 18 and goes through November 2. In Otter Tail County, early voting takes place at the Government Services Center in Fergus Falls. Those who vote early will receive a paper absentee voter application in person to fill out. 

“When an application is submitted at the GSC, the voter is given a ballot and a return envelope over the counter. They vote at an available booth, and submit their completed ballot immediately afterward,” said Mickelson.

When a person comes in to vote starting on October 16 they will fill out an Early Voting Certificate and sign it. A ballot will be provided, and once they have voted they can place their ballot directly into the tabulator like they would at any regular polling place on election day.

Other common election questions concern the polling place on election day. For example, in the polling places individuals cannot display campaign t-shirts, buttons or literature which relate to specific candidates, official political parties, or ballot questions on the ballot that day. 

Individuals also have the right to vote without anyone in the polling place trying to influence their vote. For example, no one can campaign inside the polling place or within 100 feet of the building. If the polling place is on public property, no one can campaign anywhere on the property, even beyond the 100 feet. However, the prohibition of signs and campaign materials within 100 feet does not apply to adjacent private property.

Another trend online has been taking pictures in the polling place while voting. While there is not technically a law prohibiting taking photos or videos in a polling place, the Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State discourages this activity as it can infringe on the rights of other people who may want privacy while voting. According to state statutes, voters cannot show their marked ballot to others and taking a selfie in a polling place risks showing a marked up ballot.

For more information about what is and is not allowed on election day, visit www.sos.mn.gov and click on the elections tab.