Park Perspective SEPTEMBER 2021 SPECIAL EDITION Experience VOTING in the Park
City elections website: www.stlouispark.org/vote Contents 2. Ranked-choice voting 3. Voter registration, early voting 4. Campaign signs, precinct locations For city events, activities and news, visit www.stlouispark.org.
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General election 2021 Tuesday, Nov. 2
Polls open 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Plan ahead – prepare to vote! Did you know there is an election in St. Louis Park this year? In 2021 you will be able to vote for the offices of ward council member and school board member. Voters will use the ranked-choice voting system to elect council members.
1. Prepare to vote
nextdoor.com
www.stlouispark.org/vote
Voting is your opportunity to be heard, to hold elected officials accountable and to have a say in important issues that affect your community. Whether you vote early at city hall or at the polls on Election Day, we encourage you to plan ahead to make your voting experience as easy and efficient as possible.
Finding your polling place, registering to vote and learning what races will be on your ballot are all important steps to take when preparing to vote. The elections team is here to help. Here are some of the most common questions asked during election season that will be answered in this issue. • What’s on my ballot? • What’s ranked-choice voting? • Am I registered to vote? • How do I register to vote? • Can I vote early? • Where do I vote?
To find the answers to all these questions and more, visit www.stlouispark.org/vote or call the elections hotline at 952.924.2503. Note: The Minnesota Secretary of State’s office has many voting materials and forms available in 12 different languages – English, Spanish, Hmong, Somali, Vietnamese, Russian, Chinese, Lao, Oromo, Khmer, Amharic and S’gaw Karen. Visit www.stlouispark.org/vote or call 952.924.2503 for more information on how to access these materials.
Look at your sample ballot inside!
Ranked-choice voting is back! We hope you’ve already heard about ranked-choice voting in St. Louis Park. If you are still wondering what it is or simply want to know more, we have you covered. Take a look at your sample ballot inside to see what it will look like when you vote and to practice marking your ballot. • Ranked-choice voting is ONLY used to elect city offices. This year voters will use ranked-choice voting to elect ward council members. • Ranked-choice voting allows you to rank multiple candidates in order of preference. This voting method combines the primary and general election into one event. Simply put, you have the chance to say, “If my first-choice candidate is not elected, this is my second choice (or third choice) for who I would like to see elected.” • On the ranked-choice side of the ballot, you will have the option to rank up to three choices for the office of ward council member. Make sure to read the instructions at the top of the ballot carefully. • Don’t forget to flip your ballot over – there are races on both sides of the ballot. Still have questions? Check out the information on page 2, visit www.stlouispark.org/vote or call 952.924.2503.
This is a special edition of the Park Perspective. Look for the regular October Park Perspective, including polling locations, in mid-October.
General election 2021 Tuesday, Nov. 2
Polls open 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.
How to vote on a ranked-choice ballot 1st choice
2nd choice
3rd choice
• R ank up to three different candidates for each city office (ward council member). • Your first choice is the candidate you would most like to see elected. • Always vote left to right. • S elect one candidate in each column. If you wish to rank second and/or third choices, you will select them in the corresponding second and third columns on the ballot. • I n races with fewer than three candidates, ranking is still allowed – including write-in options. Ranking is not required, you may select a first choice and leave the rest blank. • Turn your ballot over to vote in school district races.
This is a representation, not an actual ballot. To see what your ballot will look like, view the included sample.
How is a candidate elected using ranked-choice voting? How is a winner declared? • A ll of the first-choice votes are added up. • If a candidate has received 50% plus one of the total votes cast, that candidate is declared the winner.
What happens if no winner is declared?
YES
50% Plus one vote
NO
• The candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated. A new count begins. • If your top choice was for the candidate that was eliminated, your vote is transferred to your next choice and all the votes for remaining candidates are counted again. • This process is repeated until: - A candidate has 50% plus one of the total votes cast.
OR - Only two candidates remain. The candidate with the most votes wins.
50% plus one vote
Get your pocket voting guide today! Visit www.stlouispark.org/vote for this all-digital guide. You can download the guide for quick reference on key election information. It’s designed to offer the most important election information in a quick and accessible format. A limited number of guides will be printed and distributed at public events and made available at public facilities. You may request a copy of the guide to be mailed to you by calling the elections line at 952.924.2503. Some of our favorite features of this guide include ways to participate in elections, your rights as a voter, detailed lists of documents that may be used to register to vote and much more. Share the guide with neighbors or friends to spread the word about voting!
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September 2021
General election 2021 Tuesday, Nov. 2
Polls open 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Can’t make it to the polls on Election Day?
VOTE EARLY STARTING SEPT. 17! The early voting period starts 46 days before any election, which means that early (absentee) voting for the Nov. 2 general election starts Friday, Sept. 17. From Sept. 17 – Nov. 1, in-person early voting will be available Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., at St. Louis Park City Hall, 5005 Minnetonka Blvd. Extended in-person early voting will be offered at city hall: • Saturday, Oct. 30, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. • Monday, Nov. 1, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. If you choose to vote early in person, your ballot will be issued at city hall after you complete an absentee ballot application. Do not bring any mailed ballot materials with you, if you are coming to city hall to vote. Apply for an absentee ballot For every election in which you want to vote early, you must complete and submit an absentee ballot application. The absentee ballot application is required whether you vote early in person or by mail. The application has seven questions and requires:
Who can vote in Minnesota? To be eligible to vote, you must be: • At least 18 years old on Election Day • A U.S. citizen • A resident of Minnesota for 20 days • Finished with all parts of any felony sentence
Am I registered to vote? Check your registration status online at www.stlouispark.org/vote or by calling 952.924.2503 at least one month prior to when you plan to vote. Note: Elections staff can only provide you with information about your own registration status.
Registering before Election Day If you know you are not registered to vote under your current name and/or at your current residential address, you should register to vote before Election Day. This will make your trip to the polls much faster. State law requires you to register at least 20 days before Election Day so that your name is on the list of registered voters at your polling place. The last date for pre-registration for the 2021 General Election is Oct. 12.
Registering on Election Day If you missed the preregistration deadline, you can register or update your registration when you vote. Whether you choose to vote early or at your polling place on Election Day, you will need to bring proof of residence to register. For a list of acceptable proofs of residence under state law, visit www.stlouispark.org/vote or call 952.924.2503.
Don’t wait! Don’t wait until Election Day – plan ahead and contact the elections team with any questions!
• • • •
Full name Date of birth Address where you live You must provide either a Minnesota-issued ID or a driver’s license number OR the last four digits of your Social Security number; or mark a statement that you have neither. • Signing an oath that you are eligible to vote in Minnesota Voting by mail Did you vote by mail in 2020? Changes made to mail voting due to the COVID-19 pandemic have expired. In 2021, mail voting returns to the normal system. If you plan to vote by mail in the local election this fall, be aware of the following: • Absentee ballots can’t be requested online. You must submit an absentee ballot application in person, by mail, by fax or scanned into an email. Drop off your application in person at city hall, send by fax to 612.348.2151 or send a scanned copy by email to hc.vote@hennepin.us. If you already applied for an absentee ballot by mail for the general election, it should arrive in the mail shortly after the early voting period starts Sept. 17. • A witness must sign your ballot envelope. A witness is another registered voter. Follow the instructions included with the ballot on how to witness a ballot. • Voted ballots may be dropped off at the city clerk’s office on the third floor of city hall. You can return voted ballots for up to three people, not including your own ballot. If you are returning a ballot for someone else, you must show ID and sign paperwork. • Use the designated drop box for your own ballot. Return your own ballot no later than 3 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 2, to the designated ballot drop box outside the main entrance of city hall. The drop box is available 24 hours a day during the early voting period from Sept. 17 – 3 p.m. on Nov. 2. The drop box may not be used at any time to return ballots for other voters. The drop box is under 24-hour video surveillance. If you received your ballot through the mail, your completed ballot must be received no later than 3 p.m. on Election Day to be counted. Voted absentee ballots may not be dropped off at a polling place on Election Day. If you have changed your mind and no longer wish to vote by mail, the ballot you received may be spoiled and a new ballot issued at your polling place on Election Day. Reminders • If you choose to vote early in person, your ballot will be issued at city hall after you complete an absentee ballot application. • Do not bring any mailed ballot materials with you, if you are coming to city hall to vote. • You can apply for and pick up a ballot for yourself at city hall during the early voting period. • You cannot pick up a ballot for anyone else, except during the seven days prior to the election (called “agent delivery”). • If you received your ballot through the mail, your completed ballot must be received no later than 3 p.m. on Election Day in order to be counted. • Voted absentee ballots may not be dropped off at a polling place on Election Day.
www.stlouispark.org/vote
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General election 2021 Tuesday, Nov. 2
Polls open 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Are campaign signs regulated? When election season begins, residents and visitors will start to see campaign signs popping up throughout the community. Campaign signs are regulated by Minnesota statute and city code. Campaign signs of any size are permitted in any number from 46 days before an election.
Publicly owned land
(Schools, public buildings, pa rks, etc.)
Traffic islands
Street signs, signals, fire hy
drants
Utility poles Campaign signs If you have questions about camp aign signs in St. Louis Park, call 95 2. 92 4. 25 92 .
Candidate information We understand that voters are interested in learning more about the candidates on the ballot. In an effort to remain neutral, the city does not advertise for or provide background information on candidates or political platforms. Candidates appearing on the ballot may have their own websites dedicated to their campaign. Voters can use the following resources to search for additional information about candidates: • Visit www.stlouispark.org/vote for candidate filings. • Visit the Minnesota Secretary of State’s campaign filings website: candidates.sos.state.mn.us • Read the St. Louis Park Sun Sailor for information on local candidates. The timing and content of any articles are not under the city’s control. For more information, contact the Sun Sailor directly.
Your polling location
We need your help!
Each year we make every effort to ensure your voting location is the same. The last year forced several room and location changes to polling places throughout the city. Always check your polling locations using the Minnesota Secretary of State’s pollfinder at mnvotes.org before you go to vote.
Help us plan for future elections by taking a survey on voting services in St. Louis Park. When you vote, you will be offered the chance to take an anonymous survey on election services. If you do not vote in the next election, we still want to hear from you.
Follow signs at the polling location to find the room you vote in or call the elections line at 952.924.2503 with questions on Election Day.
Your reviews and insight will help us improve for future elections. In addition, this information will help the St. Louis Park City Council understand voter needs and the efficacy of current services as they go through the redistricting process in 2022.
Voters in the following precincts should be aware of changes since the November 2020 election: • Precinct 1 voters will vote at Beth El Synagogue on Election Day. In 2020 this polling location was changed due to COVID-19. • Precinct 9 voters will continue to vote at the Municipal Service Center on Election Day. However, you will now vote inside of the main building in a room on the second floor. Follow posted signs on-site to locate the main entrance. An elevator is available for public use.
You will be asked to take the survey when you go to vote. If you do not vote, or vote by mail, look for the survey link on city’s social media (@stlouispark) and in the October Park Perspective.
COVID-19 precautions COVID-19 safety measures for elections will be dependent on current COVID-19 guidelines. Check www.stlouispark.org/vote for the latest information, before you come to vote.
Get involved – stay informed! St. Louis Park values voter engagement and education. We want all St. Louis Park voters to feel informed, included and heard. We have many ways for you to connect with us and with your community about elections in St. Louis Park. Visit www.stlouispark.org/vote for more information on outreach, opportunities, or to get involved.
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September 2021
Experience VOTING in the Park