The 2020 general election is exactly six weeks away and early voting in Minnesota has been underway six days. The past two installments of “Working Together” have highlighted early a pair of early voting options: in-person and by mail-in ballot. Another way that some Minnesotans, who find themselves in unique circumstances, can vote both early or on election day is known as “Agent Delivery.”
To qualify for this option, a Minnesota voter must:
Live in a…
- Nursing home
- Assisted living facility
- Residential Treatment Center
- Group home
- Battered women’s shelter
Or, be hospitalized
Or, unable to visit their polling place due to incapacitating health circumstances or disability
According to the Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State, the agent selected to pick up and deliver your absentee ballot must be:
“At least 18 years old, have a pre-existing relationship with you, and cannot be a candidate. An individual cannot be an agent of more than three voters in an election. The agent must show identification with their name and signature when returning a ballot.”
To utilize Agent Delivery, please provide your “agent” with a completed absentee ballot application (https://www.sos.state.mn.us/media/2444/english-regular-absentee-ballot-application.pdf) along with a request for agent delivery of absentee ballot form (https://www.sos.state.mn.us/media/1915/request-for-agent-delivery-of-absentee-ballot.pdf). Have your agent take both forms to the local election office to receive your ballot. The Secretary of State’s website further notes that:
“Your agent can pick up your ballot starting seven days before the election until 2 p.m. on Election Day. Your agent or someone else you designate must return your ballot by 3 p.m. on Election Day. You can also return your ballot by mail. Your returned ballot must be postmarked on or before Election Day.”
For additional information on elections and voting in Minnesota or to request absentee ballots for the 2020 general election, please visit the Secretary of State website at https://www.sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting/ or call 651-215-1440. And, for a comprehensive guide to the 2020 election season, please access Community Action’s dedicated webpage at https://caprw.org/take-action/vote.html.
