Early voting is underway in Minnesota as election officials aim to educate voters ahead of election day and increase voter turnout.

Early voting began on Sept. 20 in Minnesota. Voters can cast their ballots early either in person or by mail until the general election on Nov. 5, according to the Minnesota Secretary of State website. 

Lydia McComas, the voter engagement division manager for the Hennepin County Elections Office, said the office prepared for early voting with community engagement events, partnerships with 35 community organizations, ads on Metro Transit vehicles and social media posts.

Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon said voting early allows voters more time to research the candidates and questions on their ballot.

“For example, you vote from your dorm room, vote from your apartment, it enables you to vote one or two contests one day, put it down for a day or two or more, pick it up again,” Simon said. “You can vote at your own pace.”

University of Minnesota students have the option to register to vote on campus or from their hometown in and outside of Minnesota, according to Simon.

Simon said he wants to demystify the voter registration process for voters. 

“When you hear about voter registration, I think most people know you’ve got to do that before you vote,” Simon said. “It’s simple, all it means is you have to show that you are who you say you are and you live where you say you live. That’s it.”

University students can use their University ID to verify their identity if they register to vote in person on election day, according to the Secretary of State website.

The deadline to register to vote in Minnesota both on paper and online is Oct. 15, according to the Secretary of State’s website. Voters will be able to register in person on election day.

Problems and concerns ahead of election day

Misinformation and disinformation are major concerns for the upcoming election, according to Simon.

“I want to make sure that all voters get correct and accurate information about the voting system and don’t necessarily listen to the myths and rumors on their social media feed or that someone tells them or that political figures are talking about. Go to a trusted source,” Simon said.

McComas said a challenge is voter confusion caused by receiving multiple absentee ballot applications from voting advocacy organizations. Minnesota voters will only receive their absentee ballot from the Hennepin County Elections office, however, other organizations can send out absentee ballot applications.

U.S. postal service delays and mail-in ballots returned as undeliverable are two major challenges to this election season. While mailing issues are frustrating, Simon said these issues are less common in Minnesota than in other states.

Minnesota is not a postmark state, meaning ballots marked before Nov. 5 but received after election day will not count, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures website. Absentee ballots must be received by 8 p.m. on Nov. 5.

If voters are standing in line at their polling place by 8 p.m. on election day they will still be able to vote, according to the Secretary of State website.

Simon said he is hoping for an election with high voter turnout and minimal drama.

“We don’t want political violence or threats of violence,” Simon said. “We want every eligible voter to be able to vote easily, and we’ve got to work at that. We can’t just hope it happens.”

The Hennepin County Elections Office is available to answer student questions about voting in Minnesota, according to McComas. McComas recommended students connect with their local election office if they are voting outside of Minnesota and have questions.

While absentee voting laws differ from state to state, students voting outside of Minnesota can register to vote online and order their mail-in ballots through their county clerk or election office’s website.

McComas said she advises all first-time voters to make a plan for how and when they will vote, whether in-person or by mail, in Minnesota or their home state.

“If you’re voting from out of state, make a plan, order that absentee ballot and make sure that you’re getting your voice heard,” McComas said. “It can be really easy on election day to say, ‘Oh, I’m too busy, I’ve got classes,’ or that kind of thing, so make a plan to vote and get that done now.”

For University students looking to vote early, the Undergraduate Student Government (USG) will be hosting a one-day early voting event at the Weisman Art Museum on Oct. 22 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., according to an email from USG.

More information about voting as a college student can be found on the Minnesota Secretary of State website.