What's On My Ballot?

The Election is coming up!

Not sure who is running for what? Check here and then click on “View your sample ballot” to see a list of the candidates and ballot questions you'll be voting on. 

Now you know which candidates are running, take some time to work out who stands for the things that are important to you. Check their websites, do a google news search on them, and also look at what advocacy groups who care about the issues that are important to you say about them.

Some groups endorse certain candidates, while others rate candidates depending on where they stand on issues. Check groups like Planned Parenthood, Sierra Club, Protect MN, LWV MN, etc. 

The Primaries are Coming! August 14 - Mark Your Calendars

The Primary elections are NEXT WEEK! Are you ready?

The Primaries are just 5 days away. These federal, state, county (and some local) primary elections are important because this is when you get to make sure that the right candidates will be on the ballot in the general elections in November.

Here’s some information to help you get ready to vote:

1. Did you know that you can still VOTE EARLY until Aug 13th - in person and by mail?

If your plan is to vote on Primary Election day the polls are open from 7am to 8pm and you can find your polling station here.

Not yet registered to vote? Be sure to take the right ID with you to the polling station.

If you are new to voting or just need to refresh your memory on what to do at the polling station, this is a good place to look, and don’t forget, you have the right to time off work to vote, without losing your pay, personal leave, or vacation time.

Check here if you need help with voting, want to know about polling station accessibility or need access to a ballot marking machine.

2. This next section is really important:

What’s on your ballot? Which candidates and ballot questions will you be voting on next week?

• FIRST check out this great tool from MN Secretary of State to find out more about what might be on your ballot. THEN enter your address to see exactly what your ballot will look like. The YWCA MN has also put together a really useful visual representation of how the Primaries work, as well as other information on these elections that is worth looking at.

Now that you know which candidates are on your ballot, be sure to take some time to find out what they stand for, so that you can decide who you want to support:

• Check each candidate’s website to understand more about them.

• Run a google news search on them.

• Check what the organizations that you trust are saying about them. Here are some places to start:

  • Planned Parenthood MN, Mom’s Demand Action, Take Action MN.

  • Also check out WMM Election Central – Get Involved - no. 2 (Who Supports Your Issues) and no. 3 (Check Voting Records) for more ideas.

  • Look at this Candidate Guide by WCCO (CBS Minnesota) of short videos by many candidates in different races across the state talking about their positions.

Reminder: Do not underestimate the importance of the down-ballot races like County Commissioner, County Sheriff, School Board etc. These offices have direct impact on what happens in your community. Be sure to take some time to find out what the candidates for these elections stand for and which ones best represent your values.

3. Want to help Get Out The Vote (GOTV) efforts for the Primaries? Check out the following resources:

DFL: To Volunteer, DFL Event calendar

Republican Party: To Volunteer, Republican Event calendar

Green Party: To Volunteer, Green Party Event Calendar

4. Finally, here’s a short and very useful video from MPR called Elections Explained: What's a primary election?

For any unanswered questions on the upcoming Primary elections, visit MN Secretary of State’s excellent website on Elections and Voting. Another excellent election resource to look at is CD2Action’s website, and of course you can also check out our own WMM Election Central

Now go vote!  #BeAPrimaryVoter  Vote for success in November! #iCareiVote

Vote in the Primary Election. Vote early.

This November, Minnesota will go to the polls to elect federal, state, county and local officials in what could be one of the most important general elections of our lifetime. Your first chance to help chart the course for change in Minnesota, however, is RIGHT NOW in the primary elections.

Vote Early – Vote Absentee! Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State.

In Minnesota, you don't have to wait until Election Day to vote. You can vote early with an absentee ballot. Eligible voters may vote early in person at their local elections office, or by mail. To vote early by mail, request an absentee ballot at mnvotes.org

Why are primary elections important?

Primaries determine who will be on the ballot in the general election. Now is when you can make sure there will be candidates on the November ballot who represent your values.  

Primary Election Day is Aug 14th, and early voting is open now through August 13. We are asking the Women’s March Minnesota community to vote early. Early voting is voting!

Do you have other questions about voting in the Primaries or the general election - eligibility, how, when, where? The Secretary of State’s Office can help you get started. Check out their section on who can vote and how to register. Another excellent resource is the League of Women Voters.

To make sure all members of our community are able to vote, in special situations voting assistance is available. An agent working on the voter’s behalf can pick up and return an absentee ballot for the voter. This is called ‘agent delivery.’ To qualify for agent delivery, the voter must live in a nursing home, assisted living facility, residential treatment center, group home or a battered women's shelter. The voter might also be hospitalized or unable to go to the polling place due to incapacitating health reasons or a disability. 

Six Actions to take this week!

1. Make sure you are registered to vote.

2. Find out who’s on your ballot for the Primary elections and research your candidates online. You can also find their website and view advocacy groups ratings of the candidates.

3. Vote during the early voting period – through Aug 13th.

4. Help others register to vote. Text P2P to RTVOTE (788-683) to make sure you and our friends and family are registered to vote!

5. Sign up to door-knock for candidates you care about.

6. Remind your friends to vote in the Primary Election.