Election Day is Tuesday, November 3rd, and already the government and polling places are gearing up for the new normal of COVID-era voting.

Because in-person voting draws in large crowds with the potential for long lines, the Centers for Disease Control has outlined COVID safety procedures. The CDC advises polling places to make a plan for managing lines and avoiding bottlenecks while maintaining social distance. Hand sanitizer should be provided at every stage of the voting process—from sign in to casting the ballot to the distribution of “I Voted” stickers. And frequently handled objects—door handles and pens—should be regularly sanitized.

To vote from your car, you can request “curbside voting” when you arrive at the polling place or call your local election office ahead of time.

Still, many voters will be mailing in ballots this year to minimize the risk of COVID transmission. Any registered Minnesota voter can request an absentee ballot at the Secretary of State’s website: mnvotes.sos.state.mn.us [say “m n votes DOT s o s DOT state DOT m n DOT u s.”] 

To complete the simple form, you’ll need a valid email address and at least one form of identification: Minnesota driver’s license, Minnesota ID card or the last four digits of your Social Security card.

Absentee ballots began mailing out September 18th for the November General Election. It’s suggested you mail your completed ballot at least seven days before Election Day. But your vote will be tallied as long as your ballot is postmarked on or before Election Day.

For MN Native News…. I’m Marie Rock. 

For more information go online to M-N Native news DOT O-R-G

Marie: This MN Native News COVID-19 Daily Update is supported by the MN Dept. of Health.